Barbara has been living in North Wales, between Llanberis and Caernarfon, for over fifty years. She began painting in around 2014 after over 45 years concentrating solely on ceramics. Each painting, made using acrylic paints and very small brushes takes 3-4 months to complete. So her work is rare! She produces no more than a dozen paintings a year. She has been showing her work exclusively at Ffin y Parc since 2019.
Her work which has a profusion of detail gathered over years of observation and study, is distilled from treasured memories of long summers filled with country walks, bike rides, and picnics. She grew up absorbing her parents' knowledge and enthusiasm. They knew the names of all the birds and flowers and were expert and creative gardeners.
There is a strong sense of nostalgia in the work. The paintings express a deep appreciation and respect for the natural world around us. She condenses and concentrates whole ecosystems into these teeming scenes. But she has the skill to render them with delicacy. They are graceful rather than chaotic. She reminds us that these things which we should treasure are at risk and in decline.
With her keen observant eye, and her knowledge and insight of the natural world around her, Barbara creates paintings that are brimful of life and wonder and joy. And hope.
Barbara Winrow had her first sell out exhibition with us in 2019. She returned again in July 2021. Barbara will be showing with us again in 2026.