Contact Barbara
Windows into the Souls of Animals
Artist Barbara Yates Beasley of Boulder, Colorado, captures the beauty of animals both domestic and wild in unique fabric and paper collage. She teaches classes, lectures, and is available for commissioned work.

Commissions

A portrait of a cherished pet makes a wonderful gift or a lasting memory of a good friend.

Your pet’s portrait can be commissioned in fabric collage to just about any size you would like. All I need is a good, clear color photograph of the animal.

Please contact me so we can discuss your options.

FAQs…

Available Works

Illiamna

The majesty of the arctic wolf emerges from this almost life-sized rendition of Illiamna, the alpha wolf in his pack at the Mission: Wolf sanctuary in Southern Colorado. Commercial and hand-dyed fabrics were used to capture the curiosity and intelligence of this beautiful animal. Fabric Collage Quilt, 2011 / 45″ x 34″ / $3000a

Dance Warmups

Fabric Collage Quilt, 2013 / 30″ x 52″ / $1750

Rose

Fabric Collage, 2015 / 20″ x 20″/ Unframed on stretched canvas. $800

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BYBwThatcher

About Me

I spend as much time as I can around animals with camera in hand. When I get back to the studio, I study the expressions and body language I caught with the camera. When a particular animal jumps out at me and has something to say, I will listen and translate for the viewer.

That begins the process of choosing color, be it natural or expressive, as a starting point. I dive into the extensive collection of fabric that fills the bookcase in my studio. Some of this is commercial fabric, new and old, or fabric that has been hand-dyed or hand-painted. Recently there has been an influx of mono-printed/stamped fabrics I have created to add to the palette.

I know everything is coming together when I have to force myself from the studio for meals or to sleep at night. That devotion is rewarded when viewers become emotionally involved with the piece and tell me stories about the animal. I know I have done my job if they can look into the animal’s eyes and know this is a sentient being.