Marie Barber grew up in Kristianstad, Sweden. In 1989, she received an Associates Degree in Visual Arts from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She did an internship for Don Trousdell Design in Atlanta, GA and was also the youngest student to study fine art under the late Dr. Goran Tronnberg, Sweden.

Marie is well known for her needlework designs and illustrations that appeared regularly in several publications, including Just Cross Stitch, Paula Dean, Tea Time, and Victoria Magazine. She has also had seven cross stitch books published by Sterling New York, as well as numerous leaflets by Hoffman Media and design conversions for Disney.

Marie's love of needlepoint design led her to forming her company, Colors of Praise. Her hand-painted canvases reflect her expertise in illustration and creative design.

Marie lives on the Coosa River near Ragland, Alabama, with her husband and their four children.