CSCC Library's Art Collection: Barbara Thomas

Barbara Thomas’ Artist Statement

 Hello.  I came from a family of 14 children and have sewn since the 8th grade.  My first project I sewed was making a hand-made bib and my grandmother encouraged and inspired me to continue. That was all the encouragement I needed and have since spent much of my life with a thimble on my finger. In the 1940s, times were tough and I had to make my own clothes... but patterns made no sense to me.  I’ve always made things "freestyle."  I had to make my own clothes... and began painting pictures on canvases.  I love soft and warm colors and I love to paint clouds, birds, buildings, anything that interests me.   I study before I paint them.  I work in acrylics, watercolor, and sometimes in oil.

I have been making dolls for years and continue to make them.  I still have a large collection of dolls and teddy bears.  I donated my dolls to the Columbus Museum of Art.  The theme was called “can you put a price on life?” I had a show at Fort Hayes center. I also received a certificate of appreciation from Kojo Kamau. Several pieces of my art work were donated to St. Stephens. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Can you give us any information about the artist Barbara Thomas? 

We'll add it to this page. 

Contact: Mira Scarnecchia
mscarnecchia@cscc.edu 

Artist: Barbara Thomas (Mother of Vivian Pitman)
Origin: American – Twentieth Century
Title: “A Flower Setting"
Description of work: painting of flowers, 29 ½” x 23 ¾”
Date: 2007
Donor: Donated by the artist

Photograph of Barbara Thomas (left) and her daughter, Vivian Pitman (right)