Capturing The Enchantment of The Forest
Barbara Brown, barbarabrownart.com, is an artist, author and forest-walker, from the wilds of British Columbia, Canada. She combines her deep connection to the natural world with her mission to bring the beauty and wonder of the forest to others.
She paints in a realistic and lyrical style, with the impression of a fair amount of detail. She always includes an aspect of otherworldly symbolism and elements of sacred geometry to accentuate the mystery, awe and magic of the woods. She is masterful at depicting the depths of the forest, which draws the viewer into the painting.
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Grandfather Stump, oil on canvas, 24″ x 18″. This painting was selected for “The Healing Power of Elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire” juried exhibition in 2023.
Barbara has exhibited and won awards in juried exhibitions, and she shows her work annually locally in the Columbia Basin Culture Tour. Her work is in many private collections.
For over 25 years, Barbara has had a daily practice of walking in the forest where she lives, and her intimate knowledge of this forest is evident in her work. She captures the essence of the woodland as her love for it shines through.
Barbara shares a proud moment of 2023. “A poet, who I only knew through the social media channel, and whose work I very much admire, saw my ‘Cedar Intimacy’ painting when Renee shared it on Facebook, and thought it would be perfect for the cover of her next book. I’m thrilled! Much of her work speaks to nature connection, and it does so with such eloquence. Feeling very honoured and proud.”
Dance of the Seven Veils, oil on canvas, 24″ x 20″
In 2023 one of Barbara’s forest paintings was selected to be included in “The Healing Power of Elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire”. In this exhibition she won a Special Recognition Art Award for raising awareness and appreciation for nature. The exhibition was presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, an initiative of Manhattan Arts International. The website and its exhibitions raise awareness about how art heals individuals, society and the environment.
Barbara was also selected to be included “The Healing Power of Color” 2023 online juried exhibition and “The Spirit of Resilience” 2020 exhibition in which she received an Award of Excellence. Her art has also been featured in videos promoted on the Manhattan Arts International YouTube channel.
Through, oil on canvas, 14″ x 18″
Barbara’s detailed depiction of trees is further enhanced in every painting by a touch of other-worldliness. Every painting contains an aspect of symbolism or sacred geometry to convey the feeling behind the image. Often this aspect is hidden, not immediately obvious to the viewer, adding to the enchantment of the work.
Grand Sweeping Spiral, oil on canvas, 20″ x 16″
Barbara’s beautifully designed book, SYLVAN REFLECTIONS: Wanderings, Paintings & Ponderings From the Forest, contains 16 of her forest paintings along with poetic writings about the inspiration and the wonder to be found in her deep connection with the natural world.
Fallen Cedar / Rising Dragon, oil on canvas, 12″ x 16″
In her deeper and broader vision Barbara sees a world “where nature in all its beauty is held in reverence, where we in the human family have fallen back in love with the natural world . . . for we take care of what we love.”
Through her work Barbara brings the beauty of the forest to people, fostering a deepening of their own connection to nature.
Barbara lives in a cabin that she and her husband built in the forest on a mountainside in the wild remote West Kootenay region of the Canadian Rockies; in the Slocan Valley, near Nelson. She explains, “This is a haven for free-thinkers and people who have chosen alternative lifestyles, tucked away in the remote southeast corner of British Columbia, Canada.”
Barbara holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and a Diploma of Fine Art.
Banner image: Detail of Grand Sweeping Spiralling, oil on canvas, 16″ x 20″
Visit Barbara Brown’s Website: barbarabrownart.com
Join Barbara Brown on Social Media
Facebook.com/BarbaraBrownArtist
Instagram.com/barbarabrownartist
Youtube.com/channel
Ruthe Schoder-Ehri says
Thank you for a glimpse into the woods and wonder if rural British Columbia through the heart and art of Barbara Brown. I feel so full and calm after just a few mo.entscwith these stunning paintings!
I especially like how Barbara puts a ribbon of colur into the trees, or how a dragon fits right into the nature.
Beautiful.
Barbara Brown says
What a beautiful reflection of my work, thank you so much Ruthe!