Barbara McIlrath earned her BA degree in Humanities at Illinois Wesleyan University, MS degree in Education at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and BFA degree at Minneapolis College of Art & Design, where she received the Vanderlip Award at graduation. She has worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, instructional designer/Mayo Clinic, corporate training consultant and faculty member at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She currently resides and paints in Pepin, Wisconsin.