Rise Up is an inspirational and impressive metal sculpture of a female form with the tail of a phoenix, created by a woman who has risen, phoenix-like, herself from the traumatic ashes of her former life.
“I was in an abusive relationship,” says Barbara Parsons, who now works professionally as Barbie the Welder. “I’ve faced alcohol and drug addiction. I’ve faced mental health issues. And I lived in hell for a very long time.”
But a lifelong interest in all things mechanical, including automobiles and motorcycles — and a more recent and very deep passion for welding — has brought her out of the darkness. Now based in Florida, Barbie is an accomplished metal sculptor, author, publisher and motivational speaker.
Barbie was raised in New York state, and growing up she says her two heroes were Evel Knievel and her dad. Knievel, because he was a daredevil on two wheels, and her dad because he was a creative and inventive jack
