I paint quickly to sustain my access to the insides of things; to fuel the dynamic of invention; to spare subconscious motives from the dilution of premature reflection; and to keep the brushes moving, moving, moving over everything – running, cutting, twisting – performing the saucy, edgy dance-in-place that is the physical act of my art. When this process – a sublime agitation – is blazing, I feel like a warrior.
People are warriors. I am a voyeur-painter of people’s interior narratives: tension bliss confusion sexual sensual sensational plots plans disorders endurance grit sorrow whispers crimes reveries naïve restless naked resilience passion rites shadows impudence vulnerability – and that which smolders beneath it all, impatience for ecstasy. I take it all as mine because it is no different than mine. If any of this should appear in my work, in posture, a gesture, or a glance – it’s what I meant.
-- Joan Barber, 2006