About

Bridger Barksdale is a nationally recognized, award-winning painter based in Providence, Rhode Island. With a decade of experience as a freelance artist, his work blends his love for the world with a commitment to continual practice and spiritual growth. Using two-dimensional media, he grapples with the intricacies of design to explore visual and emotional phenomena.

His work has been exhibited at venues, including the American Watercolor Society and the Wayne Art Center, and has been featured in publications such as Southwest Art, Western Art and Architecture, Plein Air Magazine, and Artist Network. Barksdale’s accolades include First Place at the Mountain Maryland Plain Air Salon, Second Place in the Watermedia Showcase, and Second Place at Midway Plein Air.

He credits his love for art to his family—a group of talented designers who have encouraged and supported him every step of the way. He currently lives in Providence, RI, with his wife while pursuing a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Education 

  • Rhode Island School of Design — BFA Candidate, painting

    • Student Success Scholarship 

    • Ackerman Award 

  • Helper Workshops —  
    Drawing/Painting | 2023–2024

  • Mentorship under Ralph Barksdale
    Year-long apprenticeship in painting and design under a master illustrator | AZ, 2016 

Professional Experience 

  • Director 
    Plein Air Helper — Helper, UT | August 2024 

    • Organized and directed a statewide plein air painting competition in partnership with local sponsors and community stakeholders 

    • Secured funding and managed prize distribution of $5,000 to 15 leading plein air artists from across Utah 

  • Solo Exhibiting Artist 
    Up Close and Personal — KT Gallery, UT | 2024 

  • Assistant 
    Helper Workshops — Helper, UT | 2024 

    • Instructors: David Dornan, Paul Davis 

  • Gilder & Designer – Masterworks Frames, UT | 2017–2020 

    • Designed and crafted custom frames tailored to client artworks 

    • Specialized in gilding techniques, structural frame design, and installation 

  • Artist-in-Residence – L’viv, Ukraine | 2020 

    • Created City of Lions, a collection of works on paper responding to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine 

    • Presented Homage to L’viv, a solo watercolor exhibition 

Awards 

  • First Place, Dartmouth Cultural Center, MA |2025 

  • Michael Harding Award — Wayne Art Center, PA | 2024 

  • Ampersand Award — Wayne Art Center, PA | 2024 

  • First Place, Allegany Arts Council | 2023 

  • Second Place, Midway Art Association — Midway, UT | 2023 

  • Third Place, Midway Art Association — Midway, UT | 2022 

  • Second Place, 13th Watermedia Showcase | 2022 

  • First Place, Eccles Arts Center — Ogden, UT | 2017 

Exhibitions 

  • Up Close and Personal (Solo) — KT Gallery, Helper, UT | 2024 

  • 99th Annual Springville Salon — Springville, UT | 2023 

  • City of Lions (Solo) — Orem Public Library, UT | 2022 

  • 155th Annual Exhibition, American Watercolor Society — New York, NY | 2022 

  • Homage to L’viv (Solo) — Barksdale Studios, UT | 2021 

Publications 

  • Outdoor Painter, “Why I Welcome the Constant Changes” | 2025

  • Western Art & Architecture | 2024 

  • Plein Air Magazine | 2024 

  • ETV News, “Helper Plein Aire Community Participation” coverage | 2024 

  • American Watercolor Society | 2022 

  • Southwest Art, “21 Under 31” Feature | 2023 

  • 13th Watermedia Showcase catalog | 2021 

Gallery Representation