Since I can remember I have had an urge to express myself artistically. As a young student, I was interested in sports, singing and theater. In my years at West Bend High School, I was selected to sing in the school choir, to play trumpet in the school band and to act in the school musical productions.

Upon finishing high school I attended Saint Olaf’s College in Northfield, Minnesota for four years. After graduating from college I found a job as a Spanish teacher in my home town. During this time I was able, after school hours, to get involved in what I love, the arts. I was elected president of the theater association for amateurs, "Musical Masquers", in the city of West Bend, Wisconsin; where, in addition to my administrative responsibilities, I was able to act and sing in almost every production.

In 1971, it was necessary to migrate with my new Mexican wife and my family to Mexico. Unfortunately, in this new environment, my artistic aspirations were completely shattered because of the overriding need to earn a living for myself and for my new family. This seemed at the time to be a great sacrifice, but never when compared to the experiences of seeing my family grow and prosper. Now, not only was I the creator of the artwork itself, but part of it; certainly, from my point of view; the grandest masterpiece that I would ever create. Thus, with no capital but my own desire and willpower, together with my old Volkswagen sedan and a few hundred dollars, I began what was going to be a long career as a merchant. In the beginning I had no store and I was obliged to take my business with me. I became a door-to-door salesman hawking his wares in all the neighborhoods of Xalapa and in all the surrounding towns, villages and settlements in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Usually I carried my dinner-ware, clocks, watches and kitchen-ware in my Renault Estafeta which I had traded in for my old VW, but that was not always possible for gasoline was still a luxury for me. There were many times that I had to go on foot, on horseback and, on some occasions, even on a beautiful donkey, which, although slow, was always quite reliable. With much hard work and enthusiasm, I was able to build a formidable furniture, appliance and electronics retail business which managed over 25 stores throughout the state of Veracruz. Selling my interests, I retired 27 years later.

Comfortable in my economic situation, but with a restless spirit, my entrepreneurial nature led me to begin new adventures. I initiated a business in the gastronomic field which resulted in a chain of three restaurants in the city of Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico with good music, good food and good coffee. I operated it with the help of my wife and my three children. We were even able to sponsor several expositions of artwork provided by local artists. Some of them were really good. It was a wonderful experience, and, as a family, we were able to build a very successful business. After eight years of making coffee I sold the restaurants in order to dedicate all of my time to the place I loved most; my home. Finally, I would be able to do what I always wanted to do----paint. I had dearly missed the vibrancy of artistic life.

I have always believed in the philosophy that asserts: "If others can do it so can you”. Perhaps many people consider me a little naive for placing so much faith in this premise; but I fervently believe that the last thing one must lose in this inevitable process of aging is one’s own self confidence furthered by the wish to boldly and joyously nurture the quest to conquer new heights. In other words one must maintain ones conviction that all dreams are possible. So far I have had but one exposition of my work. That was in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico in the “Biblioteca Carlos Fuentes” in the month of June, 2010.

I have so much respect for the hundreds of thousands of great artists who have come before me that I could never say that my goal could ever be that of achieving some kind of artistic greatness. But I am overjoyed with the idea of contributing, even in a small way, to this world of artistic expression where I will not only be able to project ideas and emotions, but also in some way be able to instill in those who see my work a positive spirit of life, joy and hope. It is for this reason that I invite you to examine my paintings.

Before signing off I must first thank you for taking the time to look at my creations. I await all of your criticism, good or bad; and I do hope that my paintings will bring to mind, not only this wise advice, but the absolute and resounding reality that; LIFE’S WORTH LIVING !!!

Contact information:

E-mail : jimbarberhove@hotmail.com/

Web Pages:

http://robert-james-barber-hove.fineartamerica.com /

http://jimbarberhove.artelista.com/

http://jimbarberhove.deviantart.com/

http://www.jimbarberhove.com /