Barbara Thelin Preston Biography

Barbara Thelin Preston was born in 1936. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1958, with postgraduate credits from the University of California at Ventura. She has had 21 solo exhibitions in public and private venues, including the University of Massachusetts Hunter Museum of American Art; the U.S. Embassy in Moscow; Wrather West Kentucky Museum; Marymount University, VA; Hartell College & Museum, CA; Wesley Theological Seminary, D.C.; Spotlight on the Arts, Fairfax, VA; Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM (chosen Artist in Residence); Woodlawn Plantation, VA (2 years); Close Up Foundation, Vero Beach Arts, FL; 20th Century Gallery, Williamsburg, VA; National Symphony Showcase, D.C. (2 years).

Barbara states, “My most rewarding credit was a one-year program teaching homeless mothers in a variety of fine art disciplines,” and receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Award of 4,000 volunteers from Martha’s Table, D.C. in 1996.

Barbara has conducted watercolor workshops and seminars in the U.S.A., Mexico, Russia, England, Wales, and the Republic of the Philippine Islands.

She has also contributed with articles and painting images for “The Artist’s Magazine” and had 11 paintings included in “The New Spirit of Watercolor,” 1989, Northlight Books.