There is this weird Catch-22 about the teaching profession.  I think I heard this growing up a lot. Those who can’t, teach.  It is such a strange statement.  And to grow up thinking your teachers are less intelligent than people who choose other professions – like being an engineer instead of a math teacher or being a rocket scientist instead of a science teacher, and in this case, being a professional artist instead of an art teacher…it’s so bizarre.  It was probably the reason I went into teaching reluctantly, because I perceived it as a death sentence to my creativity.  Of course, I was way off base.  Totally wrong.

In this town, there is this weird thing where people perceive the university professors as “better” artists than public school art teachers.  Again – utter stupidity.  In fact, the public school teachers have a much better gig.  There are very few full time art professors – most are part-timers without the benefits of a decent salary and amazing insurance plans.  So the teaching gig is actually the best possible outcome, especially for people like Barabara Vural, who took time off from making art on and off, while teaching and while raising her family, but somehow managed to still find time to create this massive inventory of work.

Barbara Vural’s current show at the Manlius Library in Manlius, New York proves my point.  She is sharing sixty years of artwork including current work that she has prolifically executed now that she has retired from teaching.

Here we see a body of work that contains different media (pastel, acrylic…) as well as landscapes, still-lifes and portraits that are as well executed as a Mary Cassatt.

Brilliant use of color – and lyrical rhythm that takes the viewer inside a beautiful mind.  There is so much beauty here – line quality that is so precise and just a complete mastery of art skill.

There were sold stickers on many of these pieces already.  Her prices are extremely reasonable, from $75 to about $1,000 depending on size and detail.

Artwork is on display until November 14, 2015.  Contact Barbara for more information including how to purchase and library hours, at bvural@twcny.rr.com.