Barbara Beck is a licensed architect who lives in Annapolis, Maryland. She shares her studio and home, which overlooks the Chesapeake Bay, with her husband Rick and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Chopper and Jacaranda. Originally from St. Louis, she received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kansas. She also earned a MBA from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Barbara started drawing as soon as she could pick up a pencil. She began riding and showing horses at the age of five, and her art subjects were either horses or houses. She began watercolor and oil painting classes when she was ten years old, and continued with watercolors as part of her architectural training. She still paints "portraits" of houses. Artful Dogs was created to combine her love of animals with her architectural background.

Barbara’s other interests include sailboat racing, golf, gardening, and of course, dogs. A portion of the profits of Artful Dogs benefits animal organizations across the country.