In Sept 2022 I began teaching one on one art classes to an 8 yr old boy. His Mom said " I
know you are open minded and I want him to learn from as many open minded people as
much as possible" .
           I had just finished the Painted A to Z book . Those letters are hung across a wall of what
were dance mirrors. They are the class curriculum. Underneath the letters are thoughts and
questions from the book. Under those are my students drawings and paintings. Underneath his
pictures are his stories. After he has finished the drawing or painting alphabet letter picture assignment he then draws or paints what he likes for the rest of class. His picture ideas are wonderful.
         When I'm not teaching art classes I am painting portraits and astrology story paintings.
         I began painting animals 3 1/2 years ago because our son asked me to paint a turtle for his son's crib and one thing lead to another.The animals became my first A to Z book which was painted on canvas with acrylics. It took me a year to paint all the animals and to make them into a book. 
               Book two Painted A to Z are letters and pictures which were originally painted on felt .The
felt letters and pictures were too large for little hands and the book was very thick. I copied
the paintings that were on felt and made a hard cover paper book for youngsters hands. I
added questions, stories and art projects onto each page. I would have loved to have such a
book to read to our three kids while they were growing up.
              The third A to Z book I painted is on canvas fabric. It is just finished came out and I'm
working on the forth book.
            My parents, both artists ( Dad was a boatbuilder, designer, boatyard owner, sailor. Mom
was a weaver, cabin designer, builder, political activist ) never told me not to paint on my
bedroom walls. I began painting on my walls when I was quite young and kept painting everywhere, on everything, wherever I lived.
           My Dad asked me once when I was about 10 yrs old “If you could draw, paint or build anything,
any shape, size, color, of any material, what would it look like?". That question made me never
afraid to try just about anything and to think that if you could imagine anything it could happen.                    Whenever I told my Mom an idea she always said “Really? Good ! Go for it“. She never said
“Don’t “. Both of their philosophies of life had a big impact on my views of life and some of their 
stories are in my books. 
          My favorite quote I live by these days is “You never know, anything is possible, dream ,
try hard, never give up, leave no stone un turned “.  
          Mark and I have 7 grandchildren. Bibah is the name our first grandson called me. It stuck.
          My life long career before I began painting was dance from age 4. Ballet, Modern
dance and Middle Eastern Dance . I ran a Dance theatre company and 3 different Dancing
Spirit Studios for all ages ,for many years.I produced Middle Eastern Dance shows throughout
New England while performing in Hawaii, Mexico, Turkey, NYC and Bali. 
         Before I stopped teaching and performing I taught a class for adults with extreme special
needs. One of the things I had them do was draw to music. That was beautiful. I think everyone
should paint to music by themselves or with family and friends.
         When I stopped dancing my studio became The Goat Cottage Art airbnb with our then six
goats. I wasn't painting then but I started a guest art gallery of guests pictures ,painted or drawn
that I framed and hung. The walls became a living art gallery story. I encouraged many people to
paint who said and thought they couldn't .Many guests amazed me and amazed themselves .
          I love to inspire students to do or think things they never thought they could and I love
to be amazed by seeing them be amazed at themselves. 
          See you on the South Coast Artists Tour ! .......ox Barb/ Bibah Barb@thegoatcottage.com