Barbara Lavallee

Barbara Lavallee’s whimsical paintings depicting Alaskan life have made her one of the most celebrated artists in the state. In addition to her beautiful prints, she has also illustrated several children’s books, including the incredibly popular bestseller, “Mama Do You Love Me?”.

Barbara Lavallee was born in Iowa and grew up in Wisconsin. Her mother was an art teacher and Barbara graduated from Illinois’ Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. A professional artist since 1976, Barbara Lavallee developed her stylized figures by first working with silkscreen prints before turning to the watercolor medium.

Barbara lived for 12 years in Sitka, Alaska, teaching art to Native students at Mt. Edgecombe boarding school before moving to Girdwood, Alaska where she now lives. Her interest in Alaska Native cultures and the Eskimo Olympics are evident in her work. Barbara’s paintings and limited edition prints also reflect her world of kids, cats, and everyday Alaskan life. She especially enjoys painting women, who are usually depicted in bright colors doing things as diverse as picking berries, sitting in a hot tub, or doing aerobics.