Barb Bailey

Aaron Horrell and Barb Bailey are a unique author/illustrator team from Southeast Missouri. Together they write children's stories. Two heads are better than one! Their stories revolve around animals as the main characters.

As artists, Barb and Aaron take turns painting on each of their illustrations. They recently switched from 6" X 8" Masonite panels to metal panels. They call their creations "BARBARON minis" and subsequently sign each with the pseudonym BARBARON. The duo's portfolio won first place in the Artists/Illustrators Portfolio Contest at the 2017 All Write Now Conference held in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Aaron Horrell grew up on a farm and is a self-taught painter, nature photographer, and children’s book writer. He is the owner of Painted Wren Art Gallery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Aaron writes a weekly nature column in the Southeast Missourian newspaper called, "Through the Woods." When he's not at the Painted Wren, Aaron enjoys fishing, gardening, and being out in nature with his camera.

Barb Bailey also grew up on a farm and is a painter, photographer, and children’s book writer. She co-manages Painted Wren Art Gallery. She and her husband raise dairy goats. Barb makes goat milk soap, which she sells at Painted Wren Art Gallery and local farmers' markets. When Barb isn't at the Painted Wren, she enjoys making soap, knitting, hiking/photography outings, and baking.

Both Aaron and Barb are members of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, juried members of Best of Missouri Hands, and members of the Cat Ranch Art Guild.