There is a truth in standing in nature and painting it, a truth that brings me back many times. My goal is an honest painting, whatever that may mean.

I am a printmaker and painter, or perhaps I was first a painter then became a printmaker. I am an abstract artist drawn to nature or a plein air artist who spins off into abstraction. My print work is abstract, my paintings are expressionistic plein air pieces.

I started plein air painting in 1996 at the encouragement of the artist Libby Tolley and went out sporadically until 2021 when the pandemic forced me out of the studio in search of some release. I have embraced painting again and have been exploring the California coastline over the last few years.

I almost always work on location, painting alla prima. If I continue on a painting in the studio, it is only from memory; I find photographs to be distracting. I work quickly responding to the air, the wind, the temperature and the light. I work in oils, only occasionally making sketches or drypoints.

I have been a professional artist for over 35 years. I have exhibited internationally and taught printmaking for the last 25 years. I seldom mix my abstract work with my plein air paintings; I see them as two separate endeavors. My abstract monoprints can be seen at barryebner.com or by following ebnersart on instagram.

Thank you for taking the time to look.