Our Artwork

Barbara Lavallee's whimsical paintings depicting Alaskan life have made her one of the most celebrated artists in Alaska. In addition to her beautiful prints, she has illustrated several children's books, including the incredibly popular "Mama Do You Love Me?" and more recently, "Groucho's Eyebrows."

The artwork used in the Best Beginnings logo, is courtesy of Barbara Lavallee and is based on her original watercolor titled "Story Time," which was published into a limited edition print by Artique, Ltd. Publishing in 1998. This artwork depicts what Alaskans desire to see-parents and young children engaged in reading and learning together. Reading or storytelling is a central subject of much of Barbara's work.

Who is Barbara Lavallee
Barbara was born in Iowa and grew up in Wisconsin. Her mother was an art teacher and Barbara graduated from Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in fine arts. A professional artist since 1976, Barbara 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. For more about Barbara and her artwork, visit www.artiqueltd.com.