Barbara Mae Frankel

Barbara Frankel, 94, of Portland, Oregon, passed away on August 11, 2026 from a brief illness.

Barbara was born to Sam and Selma Fields in March of 1932 in New York City, soon followed by her younger brother, Peter. She spent her childhood there before the family relocated to California when she was 11, where the family briefly resided in Oxnard before ultimately settling in Los Angeles. 

Barbara attended University High School and studied at the University of Georgia, ultimately earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California before marrying her husband, Arthur, in 1955. She was a schoolteacher in her younger years before becoming a full-time mom.

Barbara was a dedicated mother, doting grandmother, curious mind and passionate artist. She routinely joked that she needed to be kept away from new craft hobbies—she fashioned striking flowers out of beadwork, crocheted entire rugs, collaborated with seamstresses to design her own clothes, and most notably, became an accomplished silkscreen printmaker in her midlife years. Her personal work was strongly informed by her fascination with color and its ability to conjure a strong sense of mood and place. She often worked at a large scale, creating deeply immersive and evocative visuals at her print table in her home studio. Barbara’s work was exhibited throughout the 1980s in solo and group shows in the U.S. and abroad, and many of her prints became part of both public and corporate collections. 

In addition to being a practicing artist, Barbara was a longtime board member of Los Angeles Art Association, Los Angeles Printmaking Society (LAPS), and Women Painters West (WPW). She was President of the LAPS Foundation from 1995-2019 and WPW from 1985-1988, a member of the WPW jury for over 30 years, and always valued opportunities to support and further the careers of emerging artists through student scholarships. She forged many close friendships over the years through her membership with these vital organizations.

Outside of her creative pursuits and dedication to art, Barbara was an adventurous traveler who often collected trinkets from countless destinations abroad as keepsakes from her journeys. In no particular order, she loved Larry David, the Westminster Dog Show, Shark Tank, the color yellow, a good donut, thrift shopping, listening to live music, a decadent chocolate dessert, a good game of bridge, and always thrived in the company of family and friends. She made incredible Thanksgiving stuffing and pecan pie. She seemingly had an amusing anecdote or fitting saying in her back pocket for nearly every type of life situation, once telling her granddaughter to “keep her eye on the donut, not the hole.” She was known for her wry wit, thunderous sneezes, impatient and sometimes stubbornly independent nature, free expression of opinion, sense of humor, expressive, color-coordinated outfits, attentive eye, girlish giggle, supportive ear, and unforgettably tight, affectionate hugs. 

She is survived by her sons, Barden Frankel and Darren Frankel; her daughter-in-law, Annie Brunner; her granddaughter, Rachel Frankel; and grandson-in-law, Matthew Hemmerich. She will be greatly missed, and her memory will always be a blessing. 

A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, September 5 at 3:00pm at Willamette View in Portland, Oregon. Donations can be made to the Los Angeles Printmaking Society Foundation in Barbara’s name.