Barbara Allen was born in Belfast in 1959. She studied at the University of Ulster, obtaining a BA (Hons.) in Graphic Design in 1982 and an Advanced Diploma in 1984.

Barbara exhibits annually with the RUA and with Gallery 148 in Holywood, County Down. Her work can be viewed on the Artefact Register of Contemporary Professional Artists at Arthouse Multimedia Centre for the Arts, Temple Bar, Dublin and on CD-ROM at access points in Europe and North America.

Barbara's work was featured in a number of television programmes including an episode of BBC Northern Irelands's Country Times in 2000. Magazine features occur frequently and Barbara currentlly illustrates a regular slot in the UK magazine Country Living.