Author Archives: Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

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About Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

I'm a French artist living near Paris. From 1968 to 1973 I studied at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island, then at the San Francisco Art Institute in San Francisco, California, for my BFA. My work for many decades has been informed and inspired by time spent with indigenous communities. Various study trips devoted to the exploration of techniques and natural pigments took me originally to the Dogon of Mali, West Africa, and subsequently to Yanomami communities in Venezuela and Brazil. Over many years, during the winters, I studied the techniques of traditional Bogolan painting. Hand woven fabric is dyed with boiled bark from the Wolo tree or crushed leaves from other trees, then painted with mud from the Niger river which oxidizes in contact with the dye. Through the Dogon and the Yanomami, my interest in the multiplicity of techniques and supports for aesthetic expression influenced my artistic practice. The voyages to the Amazon Rainforest have informed several series of paintings created while living among the Yanomami. The support used is roughly woven canvas prepared with acrylic medium then textured with a mixture of sand from the river bank and lava. This supple canvas is then rolled and transported on expeditions into the forest. They are then painted using a mixture of acrylic colors and Achiote and Genipap, the vegetal pigments used by the Yanomami for their ritual body paintings and on practical and shamanic implements. My concern for the ongoing devastation of the Amazon Rainforest has inspired my films and installation projects. Since 2005, I've created a perfomance and film project - Fire Sculpture - to bring urgent attention to Rainforest issues. To protest against the continuing destruction, I've publicly set fire to my totemic sculptures. These burning sculptures symbolize the degradation of nature and the annihilation of indigenous cultures that depend on the forest for their survival.

Emotional and profound! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic, The adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – SECOND EDITION! All three books of the series are NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

An illustration from Amazon Rainforest Magic, the adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl « I started this expecting a simple rainforest adventure for younger readers, but it became far more emotional and thought-provoking than I anticipated. Some of the scenes … Continue reading →

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A vibrant tale of bravery and wonder! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic, The adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – SECOND EDITION! All three books of the series are NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

An illustration from Amazon Rainforest Magic, the adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl « This children’s fantasy-adventure tale weaves together myth, nature, and the strength of Indigenous cultures into a story that feels both vital and eternal. Through the eyes … Continue reading →

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Réaliste et touchant ! – « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » – Pour les 8 à 12 à 100 ans! – écrit et illustré par Barbara Crane Navarro – Les trois livres de la séries sont MAINTENANT sur KINDLE AUSSI !

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration tirée de « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » « Ce que j’ai le plus apprécié, c’est que les mineurs n’étaient pas dépeints comme des méchants unidimensionnels. Des personnages comme Neto semblaient crédibles et tourmentés, … Continue reading →

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Une aventure haute en couleurs et significative ! – « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » – Pour les 8 à 12 à 100 ans! – écrit et illustré par Barbara Crane Navarro – Les trois livres de la séries sont MAINTENANT sur KINDLE AUSSI !

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration tirée de « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » « Ce livre pour enfants, magnifiquement illustré, donne vie à la forêt amazonienne avec une grande vivacité, mettant en avant à la fois sa beauté et … Continue reading →

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Un beau livre d’art, d’aventure et un message qui compte ! – « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » – Pour les 8 à 12 à 100 ans! – écrit et illustré par Barbara Crane Navarro – Les trois livres de la séries sont MAINTENANT sur KINDLE AUSSI !

Posted on May 17, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration tirée de « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » « Le livre pour enfants de Barbara Navarro est une histoire magnifiquement illustrée et captivante, située dans la forêt amazonienne. Il suit Yarima, une jeune fille … Continue reading →

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Semer des Graines de Merveille ! « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » – Pour les 8 à 12 à 100 ans! – écrit et illustré par Barbara Crane Navarro – Les trois livres de la séries sont MAINTENANT sur KINDLE AUSSI !

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration tirée de « La Magie de l’Amazonie Les aventures de Yarima, une fille Yanomami » « La Magie de l’Amazonie est une histoire inoubliable qui donne vie à la forêt tropicale et à ses créatures pour les jeunes lecteurs.À travers l’aventure, l’émerveillement … Continue reading →

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Fantasy-Adventure tales of Yanomami life in the Amazon Rainforest! – ENGLISH, ESPAÑOL, FRANÇAIS -“Amazon Rainforest Magic” y “La Magia de la Amazonia” et “La Magie de l’Amazonie” – ages 8 to 100! – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

Amazon Rainforest Magic: The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy (Volume 1) For more Volume 1 details – in the USA, please click here: https://goo.GL/VmexDS Amazon Rainforest Magic: The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl (Volume 2)  For more Volume … Continue reading →

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Realistic and Lovely! « Amazon Rainforest Magic, The adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – SECOND EDITION! All three books of the series are NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

An illustration from Amazon Rainforest Magic, the adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl « What I appreciated most was that the miners were not portrayed as one-dimensional villains. Characters like Neto felt believable and conflicted, which made the story much … Continue reading →

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Planting Seeds of Wonder! « Amazon Rainforest Magic, The adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – SECOND EDITION! All three books of the series are NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

An illustration from Amazon Rainforest Magic, the adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl « Amazon Rainforest Magic, the adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl, is an unforgettable story that brings the rainforest and its creatures to life for young readers. … Continue reading →

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A Colorful Adventure with a Meaningful Twist! « Amazon Rainforest Magic, The adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – SECOND EDITION! All three books of the series are NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

An illustration from Amazon Rainforest Magic, the adventures of Yarima, a Yanomami girl « This beautifully illustrated children’s book brings the Amazon Rainforest vividly to life, highlighting both its wonder and its fragility. Through an imaginative and engaging story, it … Continue reading →

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