Barbara Ashton resides in Santa Monica, California. She has taught at the Brentwood Art Center, Los Angeles, California for 15 years. She has also been privileged to teach with ArTravel – the Brentwood Art Center Travel Abroad Program in both France and Italy. The summer of 2007 was her 11th year teaching abroad. She states: For me, the process of making art and the art of teaching this process are equally rewarding and require equal amounts of focus and commitment. I find that articulating technique to students is, in itself, a practice that reinforces my understanding of the craft; and as my students improve and their confidence grows, so does my sense of purpose as an artist. At this stage in my career, becoming an effective teacher is paramount.