The only childhood book that Inda Inskeep has is a collection of famous paintings. Although as a child she had no desire to paint or draw, Inskeep always loved to look at paintings. Twenty years ago, while attending an art class at a friend’s encouragement, a mania for painting developed. Inskeep became very prolific in her attempts to satisfy her "crazy need to paint."

Many of Inskeep’s subjects are taken from the photographs of her journeys all over the United States, Canada, Europe and China. Approximately nine years ago, however, Inskeep began to focus her artistic energies on depicting scenes from North Carolina, where she and her husband own a cabin. Inspired by the beautiful barns of western North Carolina farms, Inskeep painted this scene. "I see this tobacco barn every year," she says, "and I’ve painted it twice in different ways. I have fallen in love with this area, this scenery."

Inskeep credits art with making her more observant and appreciative of her experiences. "I try to absorb everything that I see on my trips. I am awed by things. The sculpture in Florence gave me chills. I get so emotional about art—especially great art. It enriches your soul."

[artist biography by Sydney Pettus; artist photograph by Chris Atkins]
Inda Inskeep
Western N.C. Barn, 1992, oil on canvas