At five years old I knew I was an artist. Children would ask me to draw a horse, a house or a train and I would gladly do so to my friends amazement. At nine I began studying oil painting with Hudson River artist May Palmer Hawkins, continuing until I graduated highschool, and then went on to Rhode Island School of Design for an amazing in-depth classical art education. For my senior year I was chosen to represent RISD in Italy. During that fascinating year I filled my journals with sketches of master paintings done while visiting the great museums of Europe; learning first hand about composition, technique, color values and design. Shortly after graduation in Providence, Rhode Island, I was on my way to California where I settled in Sausalito, lived in a houseboat, and started a studio where I did portraits on the spot of tourists. I made Marin County, California my home for over three decades, joining in shows with other visionary artists and raising my son Kris Kahn. My passion for travelling led me to livng for a year in Mexico and a year in India where I immersed myself in the cultures that have deeply influenced my life and work.
I also had a passion for creating delicious healthy food. In 1996, after my cookbook The Organic Gourmet was published, I was invited to do a book signing in Nashville, Tennessee. Having heard of the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains I made a side trip to Western North Carolina and literally fell in love with this awesome mountainous area. While visiting Little Switzerland, a community perched right on the top of the Blue Ridge, I decided to meditate with the mountains by going deep inside the earth. I experienced a connection with the ancient energy that seemed to penetrate my heart and soul. After returning to California I did a painting, Cavern of the Ancient Ones, depicting that experience. In 1999 the pull of that magnetic energy was so strong I felt moved to change my life in California and go to the mountains. I established my studio and home in Little Switzerland where I continue to create, write, teach, garden and explore the hidden secrets and powerful energy of these mountains.
My artwork has been shown in several places in the San Francisco Bay area including the DeYoung Museum, The Hall of Flowers and Vorpal Gallery. My poster, Hari Krishna appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in March, 1968 in conjunction with the Robert Jeoffrey Ballet, ‘Astarte.’ In North Carolina I have taught many art classes at Mayland Community College and private instruction in my studio. My artwork is represented in the following galleries: Trillium Gallery, Ooak Art Gallery, Market on Oak, Blue Mountain and Toe River Arts. In 2016 I self published The Ancient Oracle Deck and Handbook, a compilation of decades of my visionary paintings. In Photoshop I formatted the paintings into fifty-four full color cards that include information about the images, numbers, symbols, elements and directions. The Ancient Oracle Handbook contains more detailed information and teaches you how to give yourself and others accurate readings. I do Ancinet Oracle readings for individuals and groups in person and through Zoom, FaceTime, Messenger and WhatsApp. I also teach workshops on how to use the cards. Other classes include painting, collage, herb and aromatherapy workshops. I love sharing my work with you! This is just a beginning. Thanks for stopping by, In Light, Barbara