Biography

Barbara Janman is a sculptor working in wood and stone, capturing the wildlife and landscapes of Western Canada through subjects like bears, owls, and inukshuks. Born in Black Diamond, Alberta, and raised on a family homestead in Southern Saskatchewan, she discovered art in grade school and spent years exploring painting, textiles, and sewing while raising a family and building a career.She began carving in 2000, first in wood and later in stone, deepening her focus on sculpture as the years went on. Her refined sense of form and texture reflects the rugged beauty and quiet strength of the landscapes that inspire her.

Before turning her focus fully to sculpture, Janman founded and ran a Calgary staffing company for over two decades. In 2010, Janman became the first Canadian and the first woman named International Carver of the Year by the International Wildfowl Carvers Association. Her work has been commissioned by private collectors and featured in public exhibits, including contributions to Dinosaur Provincial Park, and she has also authored a series of travel journal activity books spotlighting regions across Canada.