Myron Barnstone Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Myron Barnstone
Start: 2017-10-21T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-10-22T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Barnstone Studios

For 35 years, Myron Barnstone stressed to his art students that being "creative" was not enough - they must learn the secret discipline the masters used - the highly structured, geometric design system known as The Golden Section. The globally respected Barnstone passed away October 29, 2016 at the age of 83. Rather than being intimidated by Barnstone's painfully direct critiques, people filled his classes at the Barnstone Studios School of Art in Coplay, PA, for 32 years. A testimony to Barnstone's effectiveness is how many alumni became university art instructors, authors, professional artists, and leaders in industrial design, pastels, photography and animation. They hold key positions in global corporations like Disney, Pixar, Nike, ArenaNet and Lowes. Barnstone's illustrious career as an artist and instructor took a circuitous route from his birthplace in Portland, ME, to his final home in Frederick, MD. He started drawing when he was 11, and left Portland after graduating from high school to attend a commercial art school in Boston. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War to be eligible for a formal art education financed through the GI Bill. Just as he was being shipped to Korea, the war ended. After being discharged, he attended The University of Oxford in England and discovered Paris artist and author Charles Bouleau's seminal work, "The Painter's Secret Geometry: A Study of Composition in Art." The book started Barnstone on what would become his life's work - teaching the structured, geometric system embodied by the Golden Section. Barnstone returned to the states and taught at the Baum School of Art, Moravian College and Lehigh University, all in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. He returned to England briefly before moving back to Allentown, Pennsylvania to teach. When his classes outgrew his Hamilton Street studio, he relocated Barnstone Studios School of Art to Coplay. For more information, visit BarnstoneStudios.com. Survivors: Barnstone is survived by his daughter, Cat Barnstone Szafran of Frederick, MD; and nieces Renee Barnstone of Atlanta, GA, Lisa Barnstone of New York City, and Judith E. Barnstone of Albuquerque, NM. Services: A Celebration of Life service for Myron will be held 3-10 p.m. October 21 at Barnstone Studios, 52 N. 2nd Street, Coplay, PA 18052. Contributions: Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts; Pratt Institute

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Published by Morning Call on Apr. 16, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Myron Barnstone

13 Entries

Ginny Gemmel

April 10, 2023

Well, Myron, you left it in print on all of us that knew you. You wrecked me forever, going into a museum, without looking at a painting and dissecting it on the golden section. And you taught me to go into a museum and find one or two masterworks, and just sit with them, and then give myself permission to leave. Thank you for the passion that you brought to the studio. Thank you for intersecting our lives in such a profound way. You are not forgotten. You were mentor and friend. And we love you. Your daughter is carrying on the tradition beautifully. But we miss you.

Arthur Cohen

December 8, 2019

Myron and I were in the Air Force and served in Japan and Okinawa. We were coworkers in Japan and we were both shipped to Okinawa, where we became roommates. I was sent to Abilene, Tx., and Myron wound up in Austin, Tx. He also said he was applying to school in England. We lost track in 1957.

October 23, 2017

Myron had an indelible impact on my life as an artist. I have struggled to maintain the high standard that he set in my own work and I'm truly sorry that he is no longer in the world.......it 's a darker place as a result. He is missed in my studio, as are all the champions of the art spirit from the past.

Peter A. Nisbet, Santa Fe, NM

October 23, 2017

"Myron had an indelible impact on my life as an artist. I have struggled to maintain the high standard that he set, in my own work, and I'm truly sorry that he is no longer in the world.........it is a darker place as a result. He is missed in my studio, as are all champions of the art spirit from the past." Peter A. Nisbet

Molly Troxell

April 28, 2017

The memories of days of youth in Myron's first studio on Hamilton street...where does the time go?... such fond memories. My first serious mentor, an exacting teacher who recognized real talent among his students. Always kind and generous to young struggling students like myself. As I followed his career and recommended his studio studies I am so glad that he had such a full life and long years... and the comfort of his daughter. God Bless his family ...his memory shall live on in our hearts. He is surely in the arms of God, our great designer.
MOLLY TROXELL
(Public school art teacher)

James Propst

April 22, 2017

Myron was a great artist who was also great person to everyone he will be greatly appreciated and missEd

Jack Hirschfeld

April 17, 2017

Great teacher great friend

Ginny Gemmel

April 17, 2017

It has been with a heavy heart that I learned of Myron's passing. He was first a friend then a very other worldly mentor of many things- life and art among others. He loved his students and we became family under his auspicious arms of loving care. He is our angel who infused our thoughts so deeply that he lives in in all of us who were privledged to call him friend and art mentor extraordinaire.
No doubt he is advising God in designs throughout the realms oh heaven.

April 17, 2017

I am sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort be with you during your time of mourning. Isaiah 61:1,2 ; Matthew 5:4

April 16, 2017

May family, friends and former students find comfort in knowing that Mr. Barnstone is in God's memory. Our loving God and father doesn't forget those who have passed away because they are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.

Julia Pace

April 16, 2017

Myron Barnstone was a gift in my life that I am grateful for. I only wish I had found him years earlier.

Christopher Hyde

April 16, 2017

A great teacher and a good friend. He will be missed.

April 16, 2017

Thank you for your service.

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