Barbara Rae facts for kids

Dame Barbara Davis Rae (born December 10, 1943) is a well-known Scottish artist. She creates beautiful paintings and prints. She is a member of important art groups like the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy of Arts.

Barbara Rae's Life and Art Journey

Early Life and Education

Barbara Rae studied painting at the Edinburgh College of Art. She attended from 1961 to 1965. While studying, she worked in the Scottish Highlands. She loved walking the hills and drawing the landscape. Geography was very important to her art.

After college, she won a scholarship. This allowed her to paint in France and Spain. These travels greatly shaped her art. Her work often focuses on different landscapes. Her first art show was in 1967 in Edinburgh.

Teaching and Recognition

Early in her career, Barbara Rae taught art. She worked at schools like Ainslie Park School and Portobello High School. She also taught at the Aberdeen College of Education. In 1975, she became a lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art. She taught there until 1996.

During these years, Rae showed her art often. She also won many awards. In 1980, she joined the Royal Scottish Academy. She became a full member in 1992. She was also chosen to lead the Society of Scottish Artists in 1983.

In 1996, she became a member of the Royal Academy of Art. She received a special honor in 1999. It was called the Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She has also earned other important titles.

Where to Find Her Art

Barbara Rae's art is kept in many famous places. These include the British Museum and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Her work is also at the University of Edinburgh.

Barbara Rae lives in Scotland, Los Angeles, and France. She often travels to other parts of Europe. She also visits the southwest United States. She is married to Gareth Wardell.

Barbara Rae's Unique Art Style

Broadhaven by Barbara Rae

Colors and Techniques

Barbara Rae's paintings are known for their bright, strong colors. They show dramatic landscapes. But they are also "abstract," meaning they don't look exactly like real places. Instead, they capture the feeling and energy of a place.

She doesn't mix her paints on a palette. Instead, she puts unmixed acrylic paints right onto the canvas. Then, she pours liquid over them. This helps the colors blend in a unique way. Her bright colors are different from many traditional Scottish artworks.

Inspiration from Travel

Rae says she doesn't see herself only as a Scottish artist. However, the landscapes of Scotland's west coast inspire much of her art. Her travels have also had a huge impact. Since the 1960s, she has traveled a lot. She has visited Spain, Ireland, France, and the southwest United States.

These trips helped her create art that shows a deep interest in history. She also explores the beauty of landscapes. Rae explains her approach: "I'm not interested in exact details. I need to feel the culture of a place to make art."

Her prints often focus on things shaped by people. She likes old farmhouses, doors, or ancient stones. These items show how time and weather change things.

Awards and Special Honors

Barbara Rae has received many awards for her art.

• Scottish Arts Council Award (1975)
• Guthrie Medal (Royal Scottish Academy) (1977)
• Scottish Arts Council Award (1981)
• Calouste Gulbenkian Printmaking Award (1983)
• Sir William Gillies Travel Award (Royal Scottish Academy) (1983)
• May Marshall Brown Award (The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour) (1983)
• Scottish Arts Council grant (1989)
• Hunting Group Prize (1990)
• Alexander Graham Munro Award (The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour)
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• Honorary doctorate, Napier University (2002)
• Honorary doctorate, Aberdeen University
• Honorary fellowship, Royal College of Art (2008)
• Honorary doctorate, University of St Andrews
• Elected a Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh (2011)