"Virginia Barnes (1895-1984) was an Alabama artist and professor at the University of Montevallo from 1945-1965. She was an experimental printmaker and painter known for her innovative processes. Barnes’ mixed media techniques and material choices remain insufficiently understood. This paper investigates the pigments Barnes used in her artwork through the use of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology. Different paints and inks contain distinct elemental traces that contribute to specific pigments. pXRF works by irradiating a sample with X-rays to cause emission of characteristic elemental frequencies. The instrument's internal standards use the frequency signatures to quantify elemental composition. Analysis revealed heavy metal traces within the pigments, which were then used to identify possible paints and inks Barnes employed in her work. The study contributes new insight to Barnes' artistic methods.  Keywords: Virginia Barnes, pXRF, X-ray Fluorescence, Art History"