After several years at art school in England, Barry began his career in Fine Arts as a technical artist in aviation, followed by an interesting period as an artist in the Middle East. Seeking further adventures and subjects to paint, he came to Canada in 1970. He is presently a scientific artist with the Research Branch of Agriculture Canada where he draws and paints insects viewed through microscopes for the Entomology Department, and also illustrates plants in the field or from herbarium specimens for the Botany Department. The prerequisites of this detailed and exacting work, plus skills formulated as a technical artist, have provided Barry with the ideal background for nature art and cartooning. Having worked in all media, he prefers the unforgiving qualities of transparent watercolour and pen and ink.
Many of Barry's watercolours and pen and ink drawings have won national and international awards at juried exhibitions in Canada and the United States. Many of his paintings commissioned while he was in the Middle East are prized by members of the Saudi Royal family. He has illustrated books and scientific journals. His whimsical entomological note cards and posters are extremely popular with scientists and people with an interest in insects in general. He now has an international following.
The highlight of his artistic endeavours was a two month visit to Canada's high arctic, an experience which has provided a major source of inspiration for present and future works.
A month long exhibition of Barry's insect paintings, entitled "Beauty of the Insect World", was held at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Ottawa. He has had shows at the Ottawa City Hall Gallery, The Algonquin Provincial Park Visitor Centre Gallery and the Montreal Insectarium. He has participated in many group shows, including two travelling exhibits that visited many cities across Canada.
