Bio - Alison Barrows-Young
Author and artist Alison Barrows-Young's passion for art is imprinted on her DNA. With generations of artists in her family, it is no wonder why Barrows-Young has always followed her heart to create. She was born in New York City and raised in Ontario, Canada, where her parents encouraged her at a young age to pursue her art, beginning when she was just a child. After receiving a bachelor's in fine arts, Alison secured a 6-month apprenticeship with the artist George Woodman before continuing her education to obtain a master's in fine arts, which qualified her to teach in art schools and Universities. During her first year of teaching and professional practice, she received an NEA Fellowship through the state of New Jersey. Throughout her life, Barrows-Young has divided her career between teaching upper-level and professional studio art. Barrows-Young's work is exhibited and owned globally, with her art displayed in dozens of solo and group exhibitions. Alison apprenticed for eight years in Don Miguel Ruiz's inner circle and has been an active practitioner of his Lineage of Toltec Wisdom since 1994. She has a passion for diverse environments and a desire to capture them to share the beauty they inspire in her and promote their enormous importance to the survival of our planet.
"New communities and the study of enduring visual principles have given me a constant source of dynamic material to explore in my work. I have witnessed many beautiful and extraordinary ecosystems challenged by our unbridled sprawl. Time is running out, so we must move forward. We must collect and restore what we can of our beautiful planet and divide humanity. During these times of trouble, the tension is palpable, and it feels like we are coming to a crisis point. Now more than ever. I feel an urgency to inspire action with each piece I create."
