Barbie Mathis has been working as a professional artist since 1980.  While she has constantly evolved from being an illustrator and designer working in various media, she has emerged as a formidable watercolorist with an emphasis on natural subject matters emersed in rich, dramatic backgrounds.  Barbie’s paintings consist of a full spectrum of authentic colors and layers of atmospheric glazes which have become her signature style in painting.

Barbie studied Fashion Design and Illustration at Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, GA.  She has since worked in advertising, graphic design and mat design for various newspapers, printing companies and art galleries.  Barbie has also honed her artistic skills through painting classes and workshops led by a variety of nationally known artists.  She has been published by Bentley House Publishing and is currently self-published.

Barbie was awarded her Signature Membership in the South Carolina Watercolor Society in 2006 after being selected for four exhibitions, including two traveling exhibitions.  She has also exhibited in numerous shows around the state in which she has won many awards.  Her work is in both public and private collections around the country.  Other memberships include the Trenholm Artist’s Guild and the Seven Oaks Art League in South Carolina.  As of November 2008, you may see Barbie's work at Village Artists in The Village at Sandhill in Columbia, S.C. and at Sandlapper Art & Frame in Lexington, S.C.