Capturing The Enchantment of The Forest

Barbara Brown, barbarabrownart.com, is an artist, author, filmmaker, 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.

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.

Banner image: Detail of Grand Sweeping Spiralling, oil on canvas, 16″ x 20″

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Cathedral, oil on canvas, 16″  12″‘

Barbara is a master at depicting the depths of the forest, drawing the viewer into the painting. She paints in a realistic and lyrical style, with the impression of a fair amount of detail. Her depiction of the forest 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, and to accentuate the mystery and the magic of the woods. Often this aspect is hidden, not immediately obvious to the viewer, adding to the enchantment of the work.

Her painting “Autumn Triquetra”, shown below,  was selected for “Art Inspired by Nature” 2025 Invitational Exhibition presented on  The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, one of our initiatives.

Autumn Triquetra, oil on canvas, 16″ x 20″

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. In 2024 Barbara had a five week solo show at Kootenay Gallery of Art.

In 2025 Barbara’s art was featured in the Manhattan Arts International “Love, Peace, Unity & Hope” Invitational Exhibition. When she submitted her painting “Through”she wrote, “Today’s world cries out for “Love, Peace, Unity & Hope”, and as artists we rise to the call. I want my work to bring the forest to people. Connecting with Nature brings profound peace, as we find ourselves at one with all creation. So I try to conjure up for you the feelings of PEACE that settle into you—and the feelings of belonging, of UNITY with all of life, that envelope you—as you sink into the forest’s healing greenery.” 

Marilyn’s Forest, oil on canvas, 20″ x 16″

Barbara’s painting “Marilyn’s Forest”, shown above, was selected for the Manhattan Arts International “HerStory 2024” Invitational Online Exhibition. 

When Barbara submitted her art to “The Healing Power of Art Inspired by Nature” exhibition in 2024 she wrote, “It’s Nature’s beauty that inspires me as an artist, as I come upon it every day in the forest as I walk there and let it have its way with me, opening my heart and healing my soul.”

Through, oil on canvas, 14″ x 18″

Barbara has published two beautifully designed books, Volumes I & II, SYLVAN REFLECTIONS: Wanderings, Paintings & Ponderings From the Forest, each containing 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. 

Each book also comes with a half-hour companion film of stunning footage of the forests where she lives, a gorgeous original music sound track, and a narration by the artist herself, guiding you to sink into the beauty and the wisdom of the wildwoods.

Barbara entreats us to: “Envision a world where Nature in all her beauty is revered. Where we have fallen back in love with the natural world, in all her divine splendour.” She says: “It is my deepest desire that my work inspires this reverence — for we naturally take care of what we love.”

Dancing Yew Sisters, oil on canvas, 20″ x 30″

Barbara lives in a cabin that she and her husband built in the forest on a mountainside in the wild 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.”

It is worth noting that Barbara holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and a Diploma of Fine Art.

Barbara in her studio.

Barbara’s art was chosen for the Manhattan Arts International “HerStory” 2025  Invitational Exhibition.

You will also find one Barbara’s painting “Marilyn’s Forest”, in the presentation  “Art Transforms Rooms and Art Transforms Lives!”.

Visit Barbara Brown’s Website: barbarabrownart.com 
 
Join Barbara Brown on her Youtube.com/channel