barbararutherford.com
Artist Biography
Barbara Rutherford was born in Texas and raised in Southern
California, rendering portraits in pencil and charcoal since the
age of 8. Barbara attempted painting for the first time in 1996,
exploring a variety of mediums and subjects while
simultaneously discovering a love for travel. In 1998 a trip to
New York produced her first cityscape, rendered in oil pastel,
commencing the “Cities in Dust” series which now includes
more than 50 paintings of cityscapes throughout the world.
Barbara begins each cityscape by sketching on paper and then
transferring the design to canvas, painting exclusively with
either Sennelier Oil Pastels or Lascaux Acrylics.
A businesswoman and education administrator, Barbara holds
a B.A. in Management from The University of Phoenix and a
Masters in Business Administration from South University
Since 2004, Barbara has supported emerging artists through
her work at The Art Institute of California — San Diego, where
she is the Director of Academic Advising. In addition to hiring,
Barbara Rutherford was born in Texas and raised in Southern
California, rendering portraits in pencil and charcoal since the
age of 8. Barbara attempted painting for the first time in 1996,
exploring a variety of mediums and subjects while
simultaneously discovering a love for travel. In 1998 a trip to
New York produced her first cityscape, rendered in oil pastel,
commencing the “Cities in Dust” series which now includes
more than 50 paintings of cityscapes throughout the world.
Barbara begins each cityscape by sketching on paper and then
transferring the design to canvas, painting exclusively with
either Sennelier Oil Pastels or Lascaux Acrylics.
A businesswoman and education administrator, Barbara holds
a B.A. in Management from The University of Phoenix and a
Masters in Business Administration from South University
Since 2004, Barbara has supported emerging artists through
her work at The Art Institute of California — San Diego, where
she is the Director of Academic Advising. In addition to hiring,
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training, and managing the Academic Advising Department, Barbara oversees the academic
advisement of students from a variety of academic programs including Web Design and Interactive
Media, Graphic Design, Advertising, Game Art and Design, Fashion, Culinary, Interior Design, Audio
Production, and Media Arts and Animation.
Taking advantage of both professional and personal opportunities, in the last decade Barbara has
traveled through 10 countries and 23 of the 50 United States. She uses each excursion to inform
both her subject matter and artistic style. In addition to the “Cities in Dust” series, Barbara is also
developing the “Fast Food Nation” series, a visual commentary on advertising’s impact upon
society. Barbara has successfully completed more than 25 commissions and is available for
consultation to prospective patrons.
In January 2009, Barbara began the "Fyu-jon" series - acrylic paintings celebrating organic
elements inspired by the color wood block prints of renowned 19th century Japanese artist,
Hokusai. Both artists utilize striking and unusual color contrasts with bold lines and touches of
humor to capture their subject matter. The English translation of Fyu-jon is fusion - Barbara pays
homage to Hokusai through a visual fusion of both style and subject matter. Just as the traditional
Japanese wood block print process requires at least one dozen layers of precision, Barbara applies
dozens of layers in each piece for maximum color saturation. The artist considers each piece a form
of practice – an exploration of organic subject matter with minimal design adaptation.
Current Exhibition
The Art Institute of California-San Diego, Faculty and Staff Exhibition
YogurtLand, Hazard Center, San Diego, CA
Group Exhibitions
1999 The Del Mar Art Fair, San Diego, CA
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 Sony ArtWalk, San Diego, CA
2002, 2001, 2000 ArtfulStyle.com
2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 Third Floor Gallery, Broker’s Building, San Diego, CA
2005, 2004 The San Diego Art Department, San Diego, CA
2009, 2008, 2006 The Art Institute of California-San Diego, Faculty and Staff Exhibition
2007 ArtSeen, Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, San Diego, CA
Solo Exhibitions
2002 Bakerloo Salon & Gallery, Carlsbad, CA
2002 Café 976 Gallery, San Diego CA
2004, 2003 Chatterbox Café, San Diego, CA
2009 YogurtLand, Hazard Center, San Diego, CA
advisement of students from a variety of academic programs including Web Design and Interactive
Media, Graphic Design, Advertising, Game Art and Design, Fashion, Culinary, Interior Design, Audio
Production, and Media Arts and Animation.
Taking advantage of both professional and personal opportunities, in the last decade Barbara has
traveled through 10 countries and 23 of the 50 United States. She uses each excursion to inform
both her subject matter and artistic style. In addition to the “Cities in Dust” series, Barbara is also
developing the “Fast Food Nation” series, a visual commentary on advertising’s impact upon
society. Barbara has successfully completed more than 25 commissions and is available for
consultation to prospective patrons.
In January 2009, Barbara began the "Fyu-jon" series - acrylic paintings celebrating organic
elements inspired by the color wood block prints of renowned 19th century Japanese artist,
Hokusai. Both artists utilize striking and unusual color contrasts with bold lines and touches of
humor to capture their subject matter. The English translation of Fyu-jon is fusion - Barbara pays
homage to Hokusai through a visual fusion of both style and subject matter. Just as the traditional
Japanese wood block print process requires at least one dozen layers of precision, Barbara applies
dozens of layers in each piece for maximum color saturation. The artist considers each piece a form
of practice – an exploration of organic subject matter with minimal design adaptation.
Current Exhibition
The Art Institute of California-San Diego, Faculty and Staff Exhibition
YogurtLand, Hazard Center, San Diego, CA
Group Exhibitions
1999 The Del Mar Art Fair, San Diego, CA
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 Sony ArtWalk, San Diego, CA
2002, 2001, 2000 ArtfulStyle.com
2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 Third Floor Gallery, Broker’s Building, San Diego, CA
2005, 2004 The San Diego Art Department, San Diego, CA
2009, 2008, 2006 The Art Institute of California-San Diego, Faculty and Staff Exhibition
2007 ArtSeen, Bloomingdale’s Fashion Valley, San Diego, CA
Solo Exhibitions
2002 Bakerloo Salon & Gallery, Carlsbad, CA
2002 Café 976 Gallery, San Diego CA
2004, 2003 Chatterbox Café, San Diego, CA
2009 YogurtLand, Hazard Center, San Diego, CA
