Barry van Dusen SWLA

Bio

Barry W. Van Dusen is a painter and illustrator living in central Massachusetts, USA. Barry graduated from university with a degree in Visual Design in 1977, and began his career as a graphic artist and designer, but soon narrowed his focus to natural history subjects.  Barry’s work has appeared in a wide variety of nature books and pocket guides, many as the result of a long association with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. His bird illustrations have also appeared in books published by the American Birding Association, HarperCollins, Princeton University Press and Cornell University (Comstock).  His paintings have been featured in Bird Watcher's Digest, Birder’s World, Birds Illustrated, Wildlife Art and Yankee magazines.

In 2014, Barry was named Master Artist at the annual BIRDS IN ART show (Wausau, Wisconsin) - an award which recognises artists who have shown “outstanding achievement in using bird imagery in their artwork”.  Previous recipients of the award include Roger Tory Peterson, Peter Scott, Lars Jonsson and John Busby.  In 2007, Barry was chosen to create the UK Habitat Conservation Stamp (the British counterpart to the US Federal Duck Stamp), and was the first American to be so honoured.

Barry has worked in a variety of media, but transparent watercolour is his first love.  He has spent many years developing a watercolour style that stresses acute observation and strong draftsmanship while maintaining the primacy of artistic expression.  Barry’s commitment to fieldwork has been encouraged and reinforced by his contact with like-minded European artist friends.

Barry has been an SWLA member since 1994 and annually contributes to their exhibitions.  He has taken part in six ANF projects, traveling to Spain, Ireland, India, Peru, England and Israel to help raise money for conservation of threatened habitats.