Baret Boisson's work conveys a whimsy and personality that transcends the painted medium. Her subjects range from the entertainment industry's most vibrant screenwriters, actors and producers, to influential leaders, to sloe-eyed dogs, -- and she treats each with a detail-oriented and unique perspective.

Colors leap off of ceramics, the relationship between subjects and environment melds onto board, and the viewer is enticed by a timeless curiosity and humor that invites a more intense relationship. Completely self-taught, Boisson's portraiture surpasses trends and convention to impart a deeply vibrant, joyful nostalgia. Baret has always been surrounded by beauty.

Born in Florence to two accomplished artists, she grew up wide-eyed, but with a connoisseur's appreciation of art and its splendor. Her background includes a multifaceted childhood living in Europe and South America- French Guyana and Dutch Guyana - and schooling in the heart of America's art world, New York City.

After majoring in political studies at Barnard College, Baret became an editorial assistant at Random House, where she worked for publishing maven Joni Evans. Baret's passion for words and good stories would eventually translate into a visual dialog between viewer and portraiture, but it took a special, unpredictable journey for this storytelling to come to pass. After several years immersed in the literary world, Baret relocated to California where she established a home furnishings store in Santa Monica that featured handmade quilts, rugs, and antiques.

From compiling the folk art to expertly merchandising the shop, Baret took great pride in its success.The following year was rife with environmental tribulations: extreme heat, then wild fires in nearby Malibu that covered the area with ash; torrential rains followed, which gave way to flooding. Finally, the powerful Northridge earthquake shook the area, devastating Montana Avenue and gripping Baret in a paroxysm of fear.

Emotionally shaken and paralyzed by terror of possible aftershocks, Baret closed her shop. Having been diverted from a career path that had been so strongly established, now Baret had no idea what she would do next. It was from this loss and anxiety that her artistic development flourished. One evening a close friend invited Baret to his house for dinner. Upon her arrival he laid out paint and several pieces of cardboard and, laughing, suggested that they paint. Without so much as a moment's hesitation, Baret threw herself upon on the floor and began to spread colors upon the boards.

An obsession was instantly born. From that single night Boisson took to painting anything she could find: wood, cardboard, an entire collection of ceramics created at a local pottery studio, and eventually, canvas. Slowly she began to incorporate her contagious wit and wry, playful elements. After nearly thirty years, with two artist parents and no previous professional experience in the world of art, a fresh career trajectory appeared for her; through the therapeutic process of artistic creation, Baret's sense of humor and zeal for life had reemerged.