Barbara paints a variety of subjects including the nude, landscape and still life. She uses colour, tone and line energetically and confidently to express her response to the natural world in its many forms.Barbara was Head of Art at Stranmillis University College for many years, after which she lectured in art at St Mary’s University College on a part time basis.

She was President of the Ulster Society of Women Artists until March 2006, is a member of the Ulster Watercolour Society and of the Arts Society of Ulster. Recently she won the Wilfred Haughton troppy for the best work in the annual exhibition of the Ulster Watercolour Society, and won a trophy for the best work in the annual exhibition of the Ulster Society of Women artists, and in 2004 she won the Mills Selig Award for the best figure painting in the ASU annual exhibition.

Recently she has discovered the magnificent scenery, ever changing light and weather of the Horn Head peninsula. These and the sense of history conveyed by those who have worked the land both past and present have proved to be a major inspiration for her work. She works in both oils and watercolour in and expressive and loose manner to capture the joy and immediacy of things seen and experienced yet at the same time to say something about the enduring landscape and its inhabitants. 

Barbara Ellison has exhibited in many venues including The Royal Ulster AcademyThe Island Arts Centre, LisburnOne Oxford StreetThe Seymour GalleryThe Ulster Arts ClubMartel (France)The Townhouse GalleryThe Higgins Gallery

Her work is held in private and corporate collections including those of Queen’s University, The Department of the Environment and the First Trust Bank.