Art Premiere 14: Barbara Jensen

It was about three years ago on the eBay auction site that I remember encountering the artwork of Barbara Jensen for the very first time. Up to that point, I was largely collecting comic book style pin-up art, and had long wanted to collect professional pieces. The piece was entitled "Alissa", and featured a lovely blonde woman curled up in an enclosed area and wearing very stylish black stiletto boots. I stared at the piece for several minutes, and then had the feeling that many art collectors get when they see a certain special piece, I was compelled to not just bid, but to be the eventual owner of it. Little did I know that this would be the first of more than 15 pieces that I would acquire from this amazing artist.
When "Azure" and "Rip Tease" debuted, to me that was a defining moment as a collector. This was an artist that I had to invest in, as the quiet sensuality and striking poses were exquisite in both composition and effect. And I am very pleased that the foremost erotic art representative in the United States, the Robert and Tamara Bane Gallery in California, had felt as I did, and extended an invitation to Barbara to join their roster of distinguished pinup and erotic art masters including Hajime Sorayama and Olivia de Berardinis.
Barbara's repertoire of techniques and styles has grown admirably since then. When "Cherry Juice" debuted in late 2oo3, followed immediately by "Lime Juice" and "Naughty Babs", her artwork in my opinion had reached its next plateau. Now rendering in graphite, pastel, watercolour, or a varity of mixed media, her vision for artistic beauty can be shared and appreciated by all in the medium of their choice.
As privileged as I am to have known Barbara as a friend these past few years, I was deeply honoured that she entrusted me with writing the preface for the first book featuring a collection of her artwork. For those of you who have yet to know and appreciate this talented artist as I have, you will not be disappointed.
Robert T Mruczek
Art Collector