“I paint from the heart. It’s a passion. Sometimes it’s very touching to me and that’s why I paint. It helps me get through life.” - Suzanne Louise Barrow. Also known as Sky Lady, Barrow’s vibrant lifelike sky paintings filled rooms, walls and hearts. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Barrow grew up in East Kildonan. In 1990 she met her husband George Gimli and the Interlake become home to the couple when she decided it was the perfect place to go when they retired. The lifelong business analyst for MTS wanted to follow her dream and paint. She found her calling for painting early on and was especially known for painting sky scenes and prairie landscapes in oil, watercolour and acrylic. She even created works of art in clay and soapstone and occasionally enjoyed doing abstract paintings. Her pieces can be found across Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and as far away as South Africa, Iceland and Australia.
She became a local fixture in the community, getting involved with the Gimli Art Club, the Wave Interlake Artist Studio Tour, helping with classes and showing her own work in her home studio. Suzanne Barrow started painting on the deck of her home (Barrow House Studio) during the pandemic to bring joy to her neighbours. One of Barrow’s initiatives was to get work from art clubs displayed on the hospital walls, which continues to be appreciated by staff, residents and visitors. Showcasing local artists, the paintings are for sale and help beautify what would otherwise be viewed as sterile and unpleasant spaces. Barrows art and legacy aren’t just in the art she created but the programs, groups and friendships she was a part of as well. Barrow died on Jan. 20 at age 73
