Barbara Swanson was born and raised in CO. Once married, she moved twice a year for 13 years for her husband's job as a cartographer for the US Government. They moved throughout the Rocky Mountain states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and spent some summers in Alaska! Their children were all born in different states!
As their children grew older they settled in the Denver CO area. Barbara considers the years raising her family, volunteering in classrooms, and developing a cake decorating business the start of her artistic endeavors. She always found ways to use her love of drawing during these times.
Their next move was to a beautiful town in the mountains of CO. She owned and operated a very successful boutique/cafe for 9 years. After selling this business, she became part of an art community in Montrose CO where her artistic story really began.
She studied with many established artists and participated in art shows in western CO. She showed her art in a gallery in Montrose.
Having moved to Arizona, where she now resides, she became part of an art community through the John and Elli Milan Art Institute. For 3 summers she traveled with them to Greece for art tours arranged and guided by them.
She experiments with many techniques. She enjoys working with pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics, collage, and oils. Her work is free spirited and she most often paints women. She finds joy in women who follow their dreams and remain true to themselves. She hopes her art somehow tells their stories!