Barbara Ricau MacArthur

by Jan Cox

This month we’d like to introduce Barbara Ricau MacArthur, artist, musician, and born leader; a very talented and giving woman.

After college, Barbara went on to attend John McCrady’s School of Art in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She then painted and exhibited in New York city while working as a flight attendant for TWA, using subject matter from her travels.

Moving to Sacramento when she married gave MacArthur an opportunity to enter juried shows and win awards for her art.  She then moved to Lake Almanor and says, “I have been thrilled at the beauty of this area and have enjoyed painting the surrounding scenery and wildlife as well as doing portraits on commission of children, pets and homes.”  Her most recent work includes acrylic paintings on panel and canvas of the mountain scenes in Lassen National Park and Plumas County.

In her art, Barbara is captivated by the contrast of light, dark and color and how they form a composition, including the part not seen with the eye. Her strongest desire is to capture her emotional impressions of the scene.

MacArthur’s work can be seen at B & B Booksellers Backroom Gallery, the July Art Tour at Lake Almanor, the FRFAA booth on Second Fridays  in Chester, on her website at www.ricauarts.com and by appointment.  Call (530) 259-3381.

The musician in Barbara has a great deal of fun singing in the various groups that perform as part of the Chester Community Chorus.  She has sung for six years and is the alto section leader–the go-to person for help with chorus matters. She also serves on the chorus board.

MacArthur’s leadership ability is put to good use as Backroom Co-op Gallery chairperson and the president of Feather River Fine Arts Association which meets monthly to plan and carry out the Almanor Art Tour,  a FRFAA web-site, Second Friday exhibits at B & B Booksellers, and local scholarships for graduating seniors.

Through her many talents, Barbara has played a major role in the creation of an environment conducive to the arts in the Lake Almanor Basin and we applaud her for her time, talent, and willingness to step in wherever needed.  Thank you, Barbara.