Barbara Lancaster-Williams

Having had no formal training I have developed my skills through the sheer joy of experimentation and inspiration. I have raised myself to the meet the challenges life has offered and grown from those experiences. I bring these strengths to my creativity and relish any opportunity to push myself further.

Born in London in 1966 I moved to Lancaster in 1984. 

The early part of my adult life was filled with the wonder and joy of motherhood. My three children became my life and my inspiration.  I consider bringing them up to be both the hardest thing I have ever done and my greatest achievement. 

I consider myself to have been a very shy young lady and found it difficult to express myself. So I joined the 'Mums and Toddlers Group' at the local Salvation Army Corps which lead me to joining their Craft Class. A few short years later I took on the role of Young People's Sargent Major and lead the Sunday School for several years.  All the time putting my artist skills to good use for the church. 

As my children reached school age I embraced the parent-helper role at their school which later led to my career as a Teaching Assistant. 

My artistic drive was utilised on a daily basis - drawing and painting. Along with displays, posters and news letters. I also helped with costume making and set designs for their school plays.  

I have been lucky to work for the past 20+ years in education. The first half with primary, before moving on to secondary aged pupils in 2007.  Fifteen of these years were spent working within the Mental Health sector as part of a small Education Team attached to an Assessment unit.  The unit, based in Lancaster, was made up of a large Multidiciplinary Team, including an Arts Therapist, with whom I was fortunate enough to work along side and support for eight years. I learnt a great deal in these sessions, some about myself, and I will always be grateful for the insights gained.  These have definately helped fuel my self-worth and belief in my abilities. 

Part of my role as a HLTA on the unit was to engage the Young People in a wide range of Arts and Crafts to aid their engagement, concentration and to act as a distraction technique. I gained a lot from these years and I consider it a privilege to have worked with those young people and staff. 

I was fortunate in that, I was encouraged to use my artistic talents, not only in one-to-one sessions, but in group activities accross the unit.

I initiated projects to produce large mixed media pieces of artwork for display throughout my time there. One was a quilted silk batik wall-hanging. Another an ink 'cartoon strip style' inspirational canvas both of which hung at the entrance to the unit. I supported many more displays made by the young people and I learnt a lot from them as they found their voice, and a way to express themselves through their art. 

In Jan 2017 I made the decission to take time out from my career as a Teaching Assistant and concentrate on my Art.  I felt it was time to push myself into new areas and fulfill a lifetime desire to just create without the distraction and preasure of work commitments. I could not have done this without the support of my wonderful husband, Robin. 

I am in the process of writing and illustrating a children's book and I am looking for opportunities to work in the community.