Jaime Barks grew up roaming the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Those countless hours she spent wandering the woods as a child are evident in her work. After nearly a decade working in the non-profit world, Jaime decided to pursue her childhood love of art. She seeks to bring her passion for the natural world to people by reminding them to stop and experience their surroundings. Her work is based on places she has been, she uses a combination of reference images and sketches done on location to capture the feeling of a place. Living in Chattanooga’s North Shore provides her countless opportunities to experience nature from running on the walking bridge to hiking on Stringer's Ridge. Since making the leap into the life of a full-time artist Jaime has shown work at various art festivals, gallery shows, juried events, and public art displays. Her paintings are in both private and public collections. She has also had the opportunity to be an artist in residency with the US Forest Service in Alaska, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Stone River National Battle Field in Murfreesboro, TN, and Shennandoah National Park in Virgina.