Meet Mrs. Barkman

Written by: Gigi Gilani, Anika Sharma

Photo by: Mrs. Barkman

Edited by: Zara Ahluwalia    

This year, Blakelock has had the privilege of welcoming a brand new art teacher. Coming from an art-fuelled childhood, Mrs. Barkman is a creative individual who was interviewed by members of the TABloid to provide some insight into her artistic background and skills. 

The two things that initially sparked Mrs. Barkman’s interest in her craft were her elementary and high school art teachers. A core memory of hers is when a collage she created was framed and hung up in the staff room. This was the moment she realized how influential art could be, not only to her, but to youth in general. 

She greatly admires artists with wide ranges of skill who are able to convey their talents through different methods, such as the recognizable Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Other notable creatives who have inspired Mrs. Barkman include Canadian abstract artist, Jean-Paul Riopelle, who used palette knives instead of brushes to paint, and Indigenous artist Anong Beam who creates her own paints from the pigments of nature. 

Mrs. Barkman pursued an education at Laurier, where she did a Bachelor’s degree of English and Communications and an Honours Bachelor of Arts, as well as a minor in Fine Arts. After that, she attended University of Toronto for her Bachelor of Education. There, she was a part of the arts cohort, so she was surrounded by all things creative, including drama and music. She always knew that she would end up in an artistic career. To this day, she attends classes to develop her knowledge and skill of visual arts. 

Drawing and painting are Mrs. Barkman’s preferred art forms. Similar to the artists she mentioned who inspire her, she likes to think out of the box when it comes to her mediums of art, like her interest in mixed media. Right now, she is working on merging oil pastel and watercolour: something she calls, “art chemistry.”

One of Mrs Barkman's favorite aspects of teaching is the opportunity to connect with a kaleidoscope of personalities–each student with their own personality and perspective. She enthusiastically explains, "Even if I say to draw an apple, everyone's apple is going to look so different," demonstrating the beauty of how art allows people to materialize their unique visions. 

 Ms. Barkman's path has come full circle. She has become the mentor and inspiration she once admired in her art teachers, motivating future generations of passionate artists. Her experience with various artistic media and styles, including photography, figure painting, charcoals, and pastels, provides her with a rich toolkit to help guide her students. This gives her class an opportunity to explore their potential and ignite creativity.

In a school that values creative-self expression, Mrs. Barkman is a welcomed new member to the Blakelock community. Her dedication and passion will make for an enriching, engaging, and creative classroom environment. She has quickly become an integral member of the TAB community.