Barbara Felix

The Glorious Way She Moves is an artistic tribute to the observed evolving grace of the female form—from youthful wonder to empowered wisdom. Inspired by Barbara Felix’s Black and Latina heritage as well as her mother’s lifelong friendships, this work is both deeply personal and communal. Each painting reflects not only the support and strength women create together, but also the significance of representation, resilience, and joy as acts of resistance.

Barbara Felix paints women she knows, meets, or deeply admires, capturing their spirit through movement-based, multi-image portraits that honor their stories and individuality. Collectively, these works are a visual archive of women across generations, cultures, and lived experiences—rendered in sweeping gestures and vibrant forms. Each portrait affirms the confidence women carry as they move through their lives and the world.

Layers of painting on voile, and organza fabrics suspended from the gallery ceiling and on Yupo paper atop the walls invite viewers to move among them as if joining the dance. Liberated from rigid frames, the portraits breathe with a vitality that mirrors the freedom and authenticity of the women portrayed. Each portrait is also paired with an audio recording of the women, who share stories of struggle, empowerment and hope. Their voices merge with the visual presence of the work, creating a multi-sensory experience where paint, surface, and sound converge.

Felix turns to beauty, movement, and storytelling to reclaim power and nurture unity. These portraits are both resistance and refuge. To her, joy is revolutionary—it heals, unites, and reminds us of our strength. The Glorious Way She Moves celebrates spirit and resilience—a reminder that joy endures, and in its rhythm, we rise.

About the Artist

Barbara Felix is an interdisciplinary artist firmly focused on portraiture and the human figure. She received a BFA in Graphic Communication from Texas State University in 1991 and a Certificate in Drawing, Painting and Printmaking from the Southwest School of Art in 2013. She is a recipient of the 2024/25 San Antonio Individual Artist Grant. She is self-taught in animation and experimental video. Felix serves as an executive board member of Contemporary Art Month (CAM), 2024/2025 President of the San Antonio Ethnic Art Society, has been a curator for Sala Diaz, and is co/owner of The Beacon@Midtown Gallery & Studios, a multidisciplinary exhibition and performance space in San Antonio. 

Exhibition Support

This exhibition is supported in part by the City of Austin’s Elevate Grant program, The Texas Commission on the Arts with additional support provided by Georgina and Zoe Diaz.