"My art is my freedom of expression as I see life through my eyes and through my imagination.
What inspires you? What is your passion? What is your dream? Follow it and watch it unfold!"
Barbara Jeanne Simpson

Barbara Simpson, is an"Originals Only" Canadian artist residing in Brockville near the picturesque St. Lawrence River while continuing to pursue her passion to paint and photograph. Born in Quebec and raised in Ontario, Barbara is self-taught, with her artistic ability surfacing at the early age of 10. Her formal education includes fine art studies through her junior years at Joe F. Saegert in Seguin,Texas, her high school years at North Park Secondary in Bramalea, Ontario and post secondary training at Mount Royal College and the U of C in Calgary, and more recently at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, Ontario. In or out of school, Barbara considers each day a learning experience, "there is always something new to learn". Through her minimal years of instruction all of her mentors were inspirational and influential. Going into her 11th year as a professional artist, Barbara considers her journey to be a rewarding and enjoyable way of living her life and sharing her joy with the world.

Read what Collector's have to say about Barbara's art here

Evolved from strong emotional moments in my life and through the influence of my dreams, my passion to paint and photograph encourages me to explore deep within myself and create from these idyllic moments.

Since a few years before the turn of the new millennium I became more in tuned with my higher being, or spiritual self. Through the connection and inspiration of people around me, and through acquiring greater knowledge of a spiritual world and an understanding of colour and its effect in our everyday life, I feel blessed with the ability to express myself in an artistic way.

My paintings define my individuality, along with my vibrant personality. I love a myriad of colour, which represents my "joie de vivre". My work is considered to be upbeat, warm and flattering to the eye. And while I currently work with acrylic paints, I have experimented with other mediums such as: pen and ink, charcoal, pastel, watercolor and oil. I enjoy painting abstract, portrait and various other subjects, although, most of my work features floral and landscapes, and several tropical settings. At a young age I was exposed to a life of travel that I grew to appreciate!

I love to travel and experience cultures abroad, or to be a tourist in my own hometown. There is a spiritual connection between my soul and water, and from this, my desire to be around this element, even within a painting or photograph, soothes my soul, finding peace within. Photographing flowers, butterflies, scenic landscapes and portraiture are just a few that intrigue me as I peek through the lens of my camera.

I love all realms of the art world, including writing, photography and music, but painting is my true love. I take great pride in my work, which provides the world the rare opportunity to view life "through my eyes"; a point of view I'm sure you'll find both unique and compelling.

Education:
2007 FAC - Art History & Appreciation II, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, ON)
2007 FAC - Art History & Appreciation I, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, ON)
2007 FAC - Painting & Drawing Colour Theory I, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, ON)
2007 FAC - Painting & Drawing III, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, ON)
2007 FAC - Painting & Drawing II, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, ON)
2006 FAC - Painting & Drawing I, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, ON)
2006 FAC - Restrictive Elective: When Georgia Meets Tom, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, ON)
2004 Self-Publishing, Mount Royal College (Calgary, AB)
2001 Portfolio Development, University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)
2001 Graduate: Travel & Tourism Certification, Mount Royal College (Calgary, AB)
1999 Making Art Your Business, University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)
1998 Painting With Acrylics, Mount Royal College (Calgary, AB)
1979 - 1983 Fine Arts Studies & History, North Park (Bramalea, ON)
Ongoing-self exploration through reading, research, experimentation and travel

Collections: Paintings (1998 to present) Paintings:
Private - Independent Collectors - Canada, USA and Europe

Collections: A Creative Card Greeting Cards (2003 to present) A Creative Card...
Independent Buyers/Collectors (Canada and Europe)
Charlotte's Web Florists - Fifth Ave Place (Calgary, Alberta)
Itinerente Flowers - Bow Valley IV (Calgary, Alberta)
Sprague Drugs - FracMaster Building (Calgary, Alberta)

Exhibitions - Juried (Solo):
2008 February 1-29: Canadian Landscapes, Lobby Gallery, Brockville Arts Centre (Brockville, ON)

Exhibitions - Juried (Group):
2008 Jan 1 - Feb 2: The Holiday Small Works Exhibit, Light Street Gallery (Baltimore, MD)
2007 Nov 17 - Dec 31: The Holiday Small Works Exhibit, Light Street Gallery (Baltimore, MD)
2007 Aug 18 - Oct 6: The Light Street Gallery Box Show, Light Street Gallery (Baltimore, MD)
2007 May 19-21: 5th Annual Art & Bloom Festival - Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, (Comox, BC)
2007 Feb - Jun 3: American Icons, Light Street Gallery (Baltimore, MD)
2006 Oct - 2007 Feb: Eyes on Baltimore, Light Street Gallery (Baltimore, MD)
2005 Dec: Guest Artist, A Country Home Christmas Studio Tour (Lyn, ON)
2005 Nov: The 1000 Islands Casino (Gananoque, ON)
2005 Nov: The 1000 Islands Playhouse Theatre (Gananoque, ON)
2002 Oct: Art Essential, The Ultimate Art Show & Sale, Canada's Largest Show and Sale (Calgary, AB)

Exhibitions (Other):
Private Showings (By Appointment Only)
2007 Jan - Mar: Unity Savings & Credit Union (Brockville, ON)
2006 Nov: United Way Live Auction (Brockville, ON)
2006 Oct - Nov: Unity Savings & Credit Union (Brockville, ON)
2004 St. Vladimir's Artisan & Craft Show (Calgary, AB)
2003 Westbrook Christmas Artisan & Craft Show (Calgary, AB)
1998 Bow Picture Framing & Gallery (Calgary, AB)

Gallery Representation:
2007 May - present: Whyte's Gallery (Comox, BC)
2006 to present: Light Street Gallery (Baltimore, MD, USA) View Barbara's art available For Sale at Light Street Gallery
1998 - 2007 Bow Picture Framing & Gallery (Calgary, AB)

Publications:
2008: Commission(May 2007) of The Spa Royal Brock will feature Barbara Simpson's photography in the hard cover book "Treasures of Ontario"; Publication release in 2008
2007 October: Featured on the Upper Canada District School Board website for Barbara Simpson, Local Artist Supports UCDSB United Way Silent Auction. Read more here!
2007 Feb: Announced in Galleries - A guide to Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area art galleries (USA)
2007 May: Featured artist, Recorder & Times: Local Artist Takes Local Scenes to British Columbia
2007 May: Featured artist, Frontenac Biosphere for In the Kitchen (Lansdowne, ON)
2007 May: Featured artist on 97.3 The Eagle radio station (Comox Valley, BC)
2007 May: Featured artist, Woodland Garden Art/Bloom Festival, Comox Valley Record (Comox, BC) Article I, Article II
2007 May: Featured in 2007 Progress Magazine (Brockville, ON)
2007 Mar: Featured artist, EMC Newspaper for International Women's Week(Brockville, ON)
2007 Mar, Apr, May: Featured in EMC Newspaper (Brockville, ON)
2006 Dec: Announcement: Thank you for your support and business in 2006, Recorder & Times (Brockville, ON)
2006 Dec: Announced in Galleries - A guide to Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area art galleries (USA)
2006 Oct: Featured in "Brock Talk" Recorder & Times Newspaper (Brockville, ON)
2006 Mar: Featured Artist, Universal Women's Week, EMC Newspaper (Brockville, ON)
2006 Jan: Feature Artist, Curry's Art (Toronto, ON) Barbara's Art
2005 Dec: Feature Artist, Recorder & Times (Brockville, ON)
2005 Jun/Jul: Feature Artist, Synchronicity, The Magazine - Article, "Conscious Investing" written by Barbara, accompanied by her painting, Love Is Power, (Calgary, AB) "Love Is Power"
2002 Oct: Featured Artist in the Calgary Herald for ArtEssential (Calgary, AB)

Memberships, Volunteering & Fundraising:
2007 - 2008 Member, Chamber of Commerce (Brockville, ON)
2006 - 2008 CARFAC Ontario
1998 - 1999 Member and Volunteer, The New Gallery (Calgary, AB)
1998 - 2007: Fundraising - United Way, Canadian Cancer Society

Related Activities:
Traveling: Local to Exotic (Canada, USA, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Mexico)
Digital & Traditional Photography: Color and Black & White (Floral, Landscape, People, Other) Digital Photography
Writing: Short Stories, Children's Stories, and Travel, Dream and Day Journals
Attending Exhibits: Art Galleries and Museums (Local, National and Abroad)