Barbara Rae facts for kids

Dame Barbara Davis Rae, born on December 10, 1943, is a famous Scottish artist. She is known for her beautiful paintings and prints. She is also a member of two very important art groups: the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy of Arts.

About Barbara Rae

Barbara Rae studied painting at the Edinburgh College of Art from 1961 to 1965. While she was a student, she worked in the Scottish Highlands. She loved being outdoors, walking the hills, and drawing the landscape. Geography was very important to her, and it still inspires her art today.

After finishing art school, Barbara received a special scholarship. This allowed her to travel and paint in France and Spain. These trips, and others she took later, greatly influenced her artwork. Her art often focuses on landscapes.

Early Career and Teaching

Barbara Rae had her first solo art show in 1967. It was at the New 57 Gallery in Edinburgh. In her early career, she also taught art. She taught at Ainslie Park School (1968–69), Portobello High School (1969-1972), and the Aberdeen College of Education (1972–74).

In 1975, she became a lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art. She taught drawing and painting there until 1996.

Awards and Recognition

During her time teaching, Barbara Rae continued to show her art. She also received many awards. In 1980, she became an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy. She became a full member in 1992. In 1983, she was chosen to be the president of the Society of Scottish Artists.

In 1995, she joined the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland. The next year, in 1996, she became a member of the Royal Academy of Art. In 1999, she was given the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This is a special honor from the British government. She is also a Royal Etcher, a Fellow of the Royal College of Art, and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Barbara Rae's Art in Collections

Barbara Rae's artwork is held in many important places. These include the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, British Museum, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Whitworth Art Gallery. A book about her work was so popular that it was printed three times by 2013.

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

Barbara Rae's Art Style

Broadhaven by Barbara Rae, showing her use of bold colors and abstract shapes inspired by landscapes.

The Royal Academy of Arts' magazine RA has described Barbara Rae's art. They say her works are "intense colour bursts." This means her paintings use very bright and strong colors. These colors remind people of dramatic landscapes, but her art is also abstract. Abstract art doesn't show things exactly as they look. Instead, it uses shapes, colors, and lines to create a feeling or idea.

How She Paints

Barbara Rae has a unique way of painting. She doesn't mix her acrylic paints on a palette first. Instead, she puts the unmixed paints directly onto the canvas. Then, she pours a special liquid over them to blend the colors together.

Her paintings and prints use very bright colors. This is different from the usual colors seen in Scottish art. Barbara Rae has said that she doesn't see herself as only a "Scottish artist." However, her connection to the landscapes and history of Scotland's west coast has inspired much of her art.

Inspiration from Travel

Barbara Rae's travels have greatly influenced her art. Starting in the 1960s, she traveled a lot. She visited Spain, Ireland, France, and the southwest United States. These trips helped her create many artworks. They show her deep interest in the history and beauty of different landscapes.

She has explained her approach to her subjects: "I'm not interested in topographical detail." This means she doesn't focus on drawing every small detail of a place. Instead, she says, "I need to be able to immerse myself in the culture of a place to create art." She wants to truly experience a place to get ideas for her art.

Awards and Honors

Barbara Rae has received many awards and honors throughout her career:

• 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)

Solo Exhibitions

Barbara Rae has had many solo exhibitions, where only her artwork is shown. Here are some of them: