"Defender"
Potsketch by Barb Schwarz Karst
Media: Oil & Vintage Collage on Canvas Panel
Dimensions: 7 x 5"

Barb Schwarz Karst is a contemporary painter who is best known for her series, Montana Rust Belt, which focuses on abstract close ups of machines used centuries ago during the country's early labor development. Her other bodies of work include her Stark Unreality Abstract Expression series, Crucible portraits on casted aluminum, and Shifting Winds blind grid Western genre portraits. She has twice received a fellowship and mentorship through The Art Institute of Chicago and holds MIS and BS degrees in Art/Art Education. She shows annually in New York City and her works have been featured in worldwide exhibitions and publications.

Barb Schwarz Karst is the owner and founder of Schwarz karst Studio- a contemporary art studio located in Missoula, Montana. Her innovative conception of the blind grid process and unique ability to blend traditional materials with unconventional media brings a flare of contemporary freshness to the global art community. Barb's expression of deeply personal subjects through her paintings acts as the catalyst for her historically powerful portraits and contemporary abstract paintings. Barb has acquired numerous accolades, publications, and extensive professional training; and her professional works have been featured in exhibitions, museums, print publications and private collections around the globe.