Pursuing an unorthodox path of art education, Barbara was involved in various studio classes at the Baker-Hunt Foundation in Covington, KY and the Cincinnati Art Academy. She studied painting, drawing and printmaking at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY. Her first teacher was Aileen F. McCarthy, a student of Frank Duveneck. Barbara credits her handling of paint and drawing media to this influence.
"I constantly strive to maintain my personal vision."