Carolyn Barlock

"Splendrous" (2024) Persian Luster & 22kt Gold on Porcelain Vase

2024

Carolyn L. Barlock was born in Denver, Colorado to a native Coloradoan family that dates back more than a hundred years to Central City’s rush for gold. She started her art education as a young girl at the Colorado Institute of Art. In 1967 she received her Associate Art Degree from Christian College in Columbia, Missouri, now known as Columbia College. Upon returning to Denver, she continued her art education at Loretto Heights College and married Denver attorney Edward S. Barlock in the fall of 1968. A special interest in the history of art and antiques caused her to commence the study of porcelain art in the spring of 1969. At first, she studied painting flowers, fruits, scenes and portraits on porcelain. She then studied and experimented with secret techniques of porcelain decoration. These techniques fascinated the ancient alchemists. She mastered the secrets of enameled art, dating from The Chinese Ming Dynasty. This once-fired porcelain application, requiring exactitude of line and density, was a form Carolyn had perfected by the early 1980’s that first earned her worldwide recognition. While exhibiting her work in internationally renowned galleries and shows, Carolyn continued her scholarly journey of ancient porcelain techniques culminating in her use of 22 Karat Florentine Gold and ancient Persian Lusters dating from 9th Century Baghdad creating pieces of timeless beauty, and exquisite form. Carolyn Barlock has been an annual participant of Loveland, Colorado’s acclaimed show Sculpture in the Park since 1997, Colorado Governor Art Show many times, along with other juried shows and Museum shows and she is featured in Southwest Art’s Sculpture of the Rockies: 97 Contemporary and Traditional Artists. As a member since 1976 of the International Porcelain Artists and Teacher Organization she has won gold medals at their International shows and has been featured in their publications. Her work is in private collections throughout the world including the Vatican, when a Chalice made by Barlock was presented to His Holiness Pope Francis by Msgr. Giovanni Fusco, Papal Chaplin, Secretary General for the International Confederation of Apostolic Union of Clergy and Laity, Rome, Italy, during The International Assembly of the Conference of the Apostolic Union of the Clergy on November 16, 2017 in the Hall of the Consistory in the Vatican. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her two sons, Stephen and Mark.