Larry Groff interviews painter Lucy Barber about her work.  In response to a question about the importance of the "process of painting from observation" Barber responds: "It's very important, and for me having an anchor in realism is key. Though as we know, the painting process itself is abstract. 'Painting from observation' is an odd phrase, I think. It doesn't mean I paint solely from what is exactly before me (whether the 3-dimensional world and/or a photograph), because that is impossible. The experience of light, place and color (and memory and imagination and all the senses) in each instance, exerts a huge ambient force. My job is to be aware of these things and to let them help me when I paint."