Noël Barker and her Naïve Art

Over 40 years ago after running a very successful party organizing and catering company whilst living in Chelsea I found that a full time move to Hamble in Hampshire to pursue our passion for sailing meant that the business was no longer viable. At about the same time I felt the urge to paint and although I had never had any formal training I had always enjoyed doing it at school.  I was never taken with drawing but painting in bright vivid colour was my real passion. So I started with very simple pictures, sheep and pigs- easy to draw and fun to paint! My first painting is still hanging on the wall at home.

A very tolerant husband allowed me to hang my early works in the house and I put one on the wall of the dining room. About that time we had a well known artist friend, William Ware during dinner asked "Who painted that picture?" I said that it was me, and he replied "Do you realize that you are a Naive painter?" I had never heard the term, and so he explained to me what naïve art is.  He said it meant that I had never been taught and in a way painted through the eyes of a child.!! I must admit that I wasn’t very keen on that part of the explanation but it did not deter me in any way. I was very determined in developing my talent and some 6 months later I was showing in a London West End gallery.  I feel that perhaps my painting had improved a little by then and evolved over the past 40 years getting a little more refined and complex. A few years ago I thought I would experiment with different styles. This was probably my “grown-up” phase, producing paintings that were fun to do and requiring less detail - a nice change.But I always come back to my style, whatever else I might do. The naïve approach allows me to illustrate people with character and a story to tell. The people category of my work often portrays a series of small human stories and I love to create a wide variety of sub–plots within the overall theme. Such as the single mum ignoring the pleas of her child while she tries to get the attention of the incoming fisherman in the “Fishing Fleet”. I am not trying to convey deep moral values but want viewers to enjoy the vivid vista and to bring a smile to their face.

Over the years I have been fortunate to be displayed in a wide range of galleries and mentioned in a number of Naïve Art publications including the World Encyclopedia of Naive Art.

I do hope that you enjoy your browse of the selection of works I have on display here.