In the Studio with Barbara Leiner
August 5, 2026
Abstract expressionist painter, Barbara Leiner virtually sat down with us to discuss her artistic career, background, and what motivates her practice. Leiner engages with the landscape in a dialogue between line, color, texture, femininity, emotional strength and vulnerability. Drawing inspiration from the natural splendor and fundamental geometry of the landscape, Leiner explores line and gesture through her painting. By experimenting with a process of layering color, she creates dynamic moments of energy and action syncopated with areas of rest and monochromatic stillness. Leiner’s elegant and sometimes chaotic lines dance cohesively together, developing a strong, coherent series of work.
CBCA: What’s your background? Did you always want to be an artist?
BL: My first career was an intensive care RN in NYC, I began taking fashion classes at Fashion Institute of technology, NYC. Working at Ralph Lauren and then creating my own women’s clothing line.
I felt a pull to paint and began classes. The teacher would set up a still life which I would follow briefly, creativity overruled. I used the still life as a starting point, going in my own direction. That seemed to happen frequently. I decided to simply paint and see where it took me. Master classes worked for me; I was able to respect my creativity while creating a community with other professional artists.
CBCA: What artist(s) or movement(s) have influenced your work?
BL: I lean towards abstract expressionism; the challenge is finding a starting point. Usually something concrete will resonate, from there I let go and begin my process.
CBCA: Why have you chosen your medium?
BL: I love oil paints and oil sticks for the flexibility and beauty of the rich colors. When I first started painting, it was with watercolor. Watercolor is the most challenging medium. Though, I used watercolors as if they were oils.
CBCA: What artist(s) or movement(s) have influenced your work?
BL: Drawing inspiration from Richard Diebenkorn, Elmer Bishoff and David Park from the 1950’s-60’s, these bay area painters captured my heart. Cezanne, Goya, Velazquez being powerhouse old masters and first moderns. Fabulous enclaves of painters in Provincetown, Jack Twerkov, Robert Motherwell, Karl Knaths, Lee Krasner, Elaine DeKooning and Clifford Still were part of the thriving artist community. I am honored to have had a fellowship for a month at the Fine Arts work center a few years ago, along with a month long fellowship on Great Cranberry Island in Maine, at the Helliker-LaHotan fellowship. Gretna Cambell, Dorothy Eisner, Emily Nelligan, Louis Finkelstein were some of the artists on Great Cranberry. Ashley Bryan lived on Little Cranberry Island, he was a prolific artist.
CBCA: How has your work progressed? How has your practice changed over time?
BL: My style hasn’t shifted much over the years, subject matter does. I love working in a series, it resonates where I am in my world. Gestural movements thrill me, as does making the first mark on a large white canvas.
CBCA: What excites you to make your work? Why do you make art?
BL: Staying true to myself, in that comes angst at times, that is part of the process. A little suffering and feeling of being at a loss of what to paint enters my studio sometimes. I hate it, though that is usually when growth flowers. Paint like you breathe, expressing what words can’t always capture maintaining integrity, authenticity and passion. Color, mark making and texture begin my story.
Barbara Leiner
Barbara Leiner
Barbara Leiner
Barbara Leiner
Barbara Leiner
Barbara Leiner
