Barry Levin has been around animals all his life. Since a very young age he has been breeding and caring for many types of animals.

 

He received a BA in “biology and art for medical illustration” from Hartwick College.

 

Barry drifted away from his art and became involved in the printing field. He recently returned to painting highly detailed wildlife and animals. The colors are vibrant and alive. His style developed into what Barry calls “hyper-realistic.”

 

The actual painting is only part of the story. Many possible subjects are carefully researched for accuracy. Barry does extensive photography and has assembled a vast collection of photographic references. Only a small percentage ends up as painting subjects. Multiple references are utilized to create paintings that go far beyond what the camera can capture

 

Barry’s pieces are often large and colorful. He paints in acrylic on canvas, and also makes limited edition canvas prints of each subject.

 

He is also working on smaller paintings on clayboard. Barry has developed new techniques to preserve all the detail of huge paintings in these smaller works.

 

Solo shows include: Atria Darien, Bridgeport Discovery Museum, Westport Library, Brendan’s 101, Earthplace, Richter House, Greenwich Audubon Center, New Canaan Nature Center, Webster Bank, Max’s, Hartwick College

 

Excellence awards include:

Easton Arts Council (multiple awards)

Richter Art Association, Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance. Awarded peoples choice at the Easton Arts Council.

Also multiple photography awards from Professional Nature an Animal Photographer group and Insect and Flower Photography group.

 

Pieces have appeared at the Simie Maryles Gallery, Geary Gallery, Rockwell Gallery, Southport Gallery, River Road Gallery, Easton Arts Council, Kent Art Association, Westport Art Center, Federal Duck Stamp Competition. A fashion line of products and even jigsaw puzzles have been made from his paintings.

 

The pinnacle pieces in Barry’s collection are his peacock paintings. Each requires precise planning to build the painting in many layers. Real peacocks have metallic feathers that shimmer and flash with every movement. Barry currently creates his own custom metallic colors to duplicate this. Metallic paints cannot be accurately photographed, so they are more impressive in person than on this website. Painting each peacock typically takes about 200 hours and any collection of Barry’s best work should include one.

 

Barry’s bird paintings have always been popular.

 

Also be sure to look at Barry’s latest Butterfly paintings.

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