Barbara Koepsell’s childhood home was in nearby Maryland just outside of Washington, DC. Living this close exposed the young girl to the advantages of the many art galleries and cultural events in the area. Many hours were spent roaming the many rooms in the different buildings of art and then the Botanical Gardens and the National Arboretum were also favorites. She did not get into the art field for many years as she went to work for the Department of State, Visa Office, and then was derailed by marriage and children. Her young family moved to Orlando, Florida and when the children were older, then she decided that “now was her time to get into art”. Her first teacher was Lydia Quick in Windermere who taught her how to paint in oils but she grew discontented and wanted to try another art medium which led to watercolor. This became her art preference. Watercolor can be challenging but it can be exciting too. The ability to experiment with this medium is tremendous and can lead to many surprises, Except for a brief time at the Webster Adult Education Center with Chip Alford she has been mostly self taught but he got her started with the essentials and she took off from there.
Her works have been shown in many of the outdoor art shows throughout Central Florida as well as in Orlando City Hall, the Art Center in St. Petersburg, the Orlando International Airport, many banks, galleries, and private collections of patrons located throughout the United States, England, Germany and Ireland. One of her last one-woman shows was at the Leu Gardens in Orlando where she exhibited 27 paintings in a show entitled “Botanical Beauties”. It was very well received. She also won a second place award for her painting “Colorful Crotons” at the Florida State Biennial conference of the National League of American Pen Women in 2005 and both paintings submitted to the National Show in Washington DC in 2004 at the Sumner School Museum were purchased by a viewer. She participated in Shows at the Maitland Art Center, Orlando Visual Arts League, and was accepted into the 2009 100% Florida Show at The Fifth Avenue Gallery in Melbourne.
Barbara is presently a member of the Central Florida Watercolor Society, past President of the Central Florida Art Association and now secretary, and The National League of American Pen Women, Orlando-Winter Park Branch. She held the position of Interim President of this branch for all of 2008 until the new President could take over and is now the branch’s historian. She has also belonged to the Florida Watercolor Society, OVAL, and at one time Artists League of Orange County. Besides her family, nothing gives Barbara as much pleasure as painting. Once an idea is formed for a new piece then it is hard to put down the brushes and stop. Many of her ideas come from her own backyard or a nearby neighbors but many pictures are also taken on the many trips she has taken throughout the world with her husband, always carrying a camera to catch what just might later be a good picture.
Barbara Koepsell
1222 South Ferncreek Avenue
Orlando, Florida, 32806-1412
407-898-2380
bdkoep@aol.com