Artist Profile
barbara strong
About the Artist:
In a world that often feels chaotic and materialistic, my art creates a space of calm, inviting viewers to appreciate life’s small, beautiful moments. I aim to foster peace and mindfulness through my work, a reflection of my own journey to find a sense of wholeness and feel “right” within myself. My path as an artist has been anything but conventional, shaped by challenges and a long-hidden trauma—complex PTSD—that has limited my self-expression for decades.
I didn’t begin with formal training. As a child, art was a refuge from a turbulent environment. But survival became my focus as a young single mother, and my identity as an artist was pushed aside. For years, I worked in employment services, helping others discover their potential, even while I felt that something within me remained unresolved. In my 40s, I began uncovering the fear and self-doubt that held me back, which led me to explore coaching, NLP, and Buddhist teachings. This journey demanded deep inner work, but I emerged transformed, with a courage that inspired me to leave behind my old life and set out on a new path, with engaging as an artist, high on the list of reasons for this new path.
Over the next two and a half years, I backpacked through India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, immersing myself in cultures and experiences that rekindled my desire to create. Art became a bridge between myself and these vibrant places—from portraits of resilient Nepali locals to scenes of the peaceful beaches of Goa. I even lived among Thai Buddhist nuns, an experience that continues to shape my life and work. At 50, I sold my home and everything I owned and semi retired, living nomadically between Thailand, Nepal and the UK
When COVID hit, and locked down in Thailand, deeply impacted my mental health, bringing back issues I thought I’d overcome. As I returned to the UK for my family, I was without a stable home, living off savings, and unable to return to my previous work. The feeling of not being “right” returned, and my identity as an artist faded once again. Yet, I continued to dig for answers. Two years ago, I uncovered the full extent of my trauma: complex PTSD, a lifelong wound that had silently shaped and limited me. Armed with this knowledge, I began to rebuild, this time firmly embracing my identity as an artist.
My work spans mediums like collage, acrylics, pastels, ink, and pencil, often featuring vibrant colours that reflect my personal transformation. My art draws inspiration from the places I’ve called home: the rugged landscapes of Nepal, tranquil beaches of India, the warmth and spiritual abundance of Thailand and most recently, the rolling English countryside where I now reside part of the year.
Looking forward, I see my journey as an artist as only beginning even though I am 60. I am pushing past trauma’s confines, exploring large-scale works inspired by Buddhist concepts and the lives of Thai nuns. With a studio shop in Herefordshire, giclée prints, and my doodle packs at markets, each piece I create is a testament to resilience and simplicity.
My story as an artist is far from over, and I am both eager and ready to grow, create, and share this unfolding journey.
Medium: Collage, Painting, Drawing
Medium: Collage, Painting, Drawing
Profile
About the Artist:
In a world that often feels chaotic and materialistic, my art creates a space of calm, inviting viewers to appreciate life’s small, beautiful moments. I aim to foster peace and mindfulness through my work, a reflection of my own journey to find a sense of wholeness and feel “right” within myself. My path as an artist has been anything but conventional, shaped by challenges and a long-hidden trauma—complex PTSD—that has limited my self-expression for decades.
I didn’t begin with formal training. As a child, art was a refuge from a turbulent environment. But survival became my focus as a young single mother, and my identity as an artist was pushed aside. For years, I worked in employment services, helping others discover their potential, even while I felt that something within me remained unresolved. In my 40s, I began uncovering the fear and self-doubt that held me back, which led me to explore coaching, NLP, and Buddhist teachings. This journey demanded deep inner work, but I emerged transformed, with a courage that inspired me to leave behind my old life and set out on a new path, with engaging as an artist, high on the list of reasons for this new path.
Over the next two and a half years, I backpacked through India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, immersing myself in cultures and experiences that rekindled my desire to create. Art became a bridge between myself and these vibrant places—from portraits of resilient Nepali locals to scenes of the peaceful beaches of Goa. I even lived among Thai Buddhist nuns, an experience that continues to shape my life and work. At 50, I sold my home and everything I owned and semi retired, living nomadically between Thailand, Nepal and the UK
When COVID hit, and locked down in Thailand, deeply impacted my mental health, bringing back issues I thought I’d overcome. As I returned to the UK for my family, I was without a stable home, living off savings, and unable to return to my previous work. The feeling of not being “right” returned, and my identity as an artist faded once again. Yet, I continued to dig for answers. Two years ago, I uncovered the full extent of my trauma: complex PTSD, a lifelong wound that had silently shaped and limited me. Armed with this knowledge, I began to rebuild, this time firmly embracing my identity as an artist.
My work spans mediums like collage, acrylics, pastels, ink, and pencil, often featuring vibrant colours that reflect my personal transformation. My art draws inspiration from the places I’ve called home: the rugged landscapes of Nepal, tranquil beaches of India, the warmth and spiritual abundance of Thailand and most recently, the rolling English countryside where I now reside part of the year.
Looking forward, I see my journey as an artist as only beginning even though I am 60. I am pushing past trauma’s confines, exploring large-scale works inspired by Buddhist concepts and the lives of Thai nuns. With a studio shop in Herefordshire, giclée prints, and my doodle packs at markets, each piece I create is a testament to resilience and simplicity.
My story as an artist is far from over, and I am both eager and ready to grow, create, and share this unfolding journey.
