Author Archives: Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

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.

Yanomami children for the children of the world! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

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

illustration from the « Amazon Rainforest Magic » book series – for volume 3 “The engaging images have the power to energize the Yanomami children’s adventures in order to capture the reader’s attention and curiosity. For me, who like Barbara had … Continue reading →

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Charming books that make us dream and reflect – « Amazon Rainforest Magic, The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

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

illustration from « Amazon Rainforest Magic – The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » « Elements of the natural world intertwine with the magical and otherworldly in these charming books that make us dream and reflect. The stories and illustrations are … Continue reading →

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These books are delightful! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

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

illustration from « Amazon Rainforest Magic – The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl » « Although written for children, I found these the “Amazon Rainforest Magic” books to be a delight to read and highly informative. I caught myself chuckling throughout. … Continue reading →

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A Magical Tale of Environmental Heroism! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic, The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration from « Amazon Rainforest Magic – The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl » “Amazon Rainforest Magic” – Part 2 is an enchanting story that takes readers deep into a vibrant jungle, where a young girl named Meromi and her animal … Continue reading →

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We love this! Great way to educate children about the Amazon Rainforest and the Yanomami culture! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration from « Amazon Rainforest Magic – The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl » « Barbara’s books are well worth the time for you and your children. Amazonian life, for Indigenous communities and wildlife, is at a precipice. Perhaps learning more, and … Continue reading →

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Such valuable books to introduce young people to a beautiful culture and way of life! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration from « Amazon Rainforest Magic – The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl » « Such valuable books to introduce young people to a beautiful culture and way of life!I have spent some time with your two books, admiring the beautiful and … Continue reading →

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In the heart of the tropical forest! – «Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl» – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

« A Christmas present this year, we spread the telling of this story over several evenings, reading it out loud. Our 8-year-old son couldn’t wait to hear what would come next. This subject matter was new for him, and he was … Continue reading →

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A Wonderful book, a Treasure not to be missed! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

« A wonderful book, (and it comes with a companion volume)! The « Amazon Rainforest Magic » books are two treasures about the Yanomami, a rainforest tribe.“The Adventures of Nanowë, a Yanomami boy” and “The adventures of Meromi, a Yanomami girl” both explore … Continue reading →

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This book was a fun read aloud for my son! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

« I read this aloud to my third grader for social studies as we’ve been learning about different cultures around the world.He is pretty picky about books and likes them to get interesting right at the start. This book was great … Continue reading →

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Engaging stories with enchanting illustrations! – « Amazon Rainforest Magic The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » – For ages 8 to 12 to 100! – written and illustrated by Barbara Crane Navarro – ALL THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES NOW ON KINDLE, TOO!

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Barbara Crane Navarro - Rainforest Art Project

illustration from « Amazon Rainforest Magic – The adventures of Namowë, a Yanomami boy » « Last year, I purchased the two « Amazon Rainforest Magic » books as a Christmas present for my nephew. Although my nephew is autistic, he can read if … Continue reading →

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