Familiar Ground

In a career spanning nearly twenty-five years, Barry Sparkman continues to explore the creative possibilities of nonobjective paintings and prints in his new home of Phoenix, Arizona. His work reflects a passion and respect for nature in all of its forms. So far, Barry has lived in Tennessee, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, Montana, and Florida, and he consistently absorbs the look and feel of each place, storing his impressions of each place to create abstract works of art.

Sparkman holds a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking from the University of Miami, a Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Middle Tennessee State University (1985). Outside the studio, Barry teaches art and held a range of positions at various museums and commercial galleries.

In addition to his teaching practice, Sparkman regularly participates in solo and group exhibitions at venues throughout the United States. He has also received numerous awards, artist grants, and he has been featured in a variety of publications.

Sparkman's work is represented in numerous private and public collections including "The Amity Art Foundation Inc.":http://www.amityartfoundation.org/ in Woodbridge, Connecticut, "The Metro Nashville Airport Authority":http://www.nashintl.com/ in Nashville, Tennessee, The "American Express Group":https://www.americanexpress.com/ in Atlanta, Georgia, and "The Pepsi Corporation":http://www.pepsico.com/, in Nashville, Tennessee.