Local Artist Barry Van Dusen’s Work Gains Worldwide Acclaim

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Bluebird Pair: A Signature Piece by Barry Van Dusen that will be on display at Tower Hill.

Central Mass' very own Barry Van Dusen is a world-renowned wildlife artist. To say he is accomplished at his craft, would be an understatement. In 1994, he was elected a full member of London's Society of Wildlife Artists and has been invited and travelled to countries as far as Spain, Ireland, England, Israel, India and Peru to create his breathtaking images.

"I’ve never wanted to be anything other than an artist," says Barry.

"I could make more money doing other things, but I wouldn’t trade what I do for any other profession."

An Artist and a Naturalist

Specifically, his favorite subject to interpret is usually birds. His paintings, illustrations and bird-related articles have been featured in Bird Watcher's Digest, and in Birding and Yankee Magazines; in addition, he has illustrated a variety of natural history books and pocket guides in association with the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

For this reason, he considers himself a naturalist in addition to an artist. He consistently helps raise money for the conservation of threatened habitats in the countries in which he works. In other words, his art has a specific purpose, designed to help preserve nature by showing the public its innate beauty

"I’m an artist first and a naturalist second. I love being outdoors and I hope I can open other people’s eyes to the beauty of nature, and why it needs protection," says the artist.

His Style and Influences

He has one favorite medium he chooses to use most often and specific influences that have continued to inform his work since he studied graphic design and illustration at UMass Dartmouth.

"I’ve always loved watercolor painting, and from a young age, I’ve admired the work of watercolor masters Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent. I wanted to paint like them!," he exclaims.

His Work is Enjoyed by Many

It is clear from his success that many have enjoyed the opportunity to view Barry's exceptional work and that he's accomplishing his charitable goal.

"People enjoy my work on many levels. Some love the birds or animals I choose to paint or the locations where I’ve worked, others respond more to the color, mood or feeling I put into a piece. I’m happy people respond in these different ways!," he remarks.

Tower Hill Botanic Garden and the Future

Local folks will have this opportunity again very soon.

Van Dusen is the 2013 Artist in Residence at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. From May 8 to June 16, his exhibit entitled Bird, Beasts and Blossoms will be on display May 7 to June 16 at the Alice Milton Gallery in Boylston. It will feature more than 40 of his original paintings including botanical subjects, birds, farm subjects, butterflies, dragonflies, and New England pastoral scenes.

He has a humble outlook on the future, but he still has ideas, and a very specific ambition. You may ask: for a man as accomplished as he already, what more is there to really do? Well, he has an answer.

"I’ve done more teaching lately, and I’d like to write a book about drawing and painting nature," he says of his possible future.

It seems he is as perfectly qualified as anyone in this world to do what he plans.

For more information on Barry Van Dusen and to view his artwork please visit his website here.