Barry Rafuse

Barry Rafuse was born in 1940, in New Westminster, B.C. Canada. An abstract painter specializing in mixed media, largely self-taught, although he has studied at Emily Carr College of Art & Design, Vancouver BC, Canada and other well know artists such as Anne Meredith Barry.

He has a loose, aggressive painting style and is strongly biased to abstractions. His brush strokes, pastel markings and texturing techniques produce motion in his work. The many forces of nature heavily influence him. He has always been attracted to nature's designs and land forms, moving towards abstraction of these elements.

Barry says : "My paintings have to happen quickly – if they don't come together with ease, I won't be satisfied with the end result. It is the speed which gives the paintings a spontaneous look – a striking, bold result. I often use brilliant colors which increases the drama I seek. I am influenced by a group of Seven and by David Milne".

Rafuse has had his work exhibited in solo and group exhibitions at the Vernon Public Art Gallery, Amstrong Art Gallery, Prince George Art Gallery, Williams Lake Art Gallery,

Salmon Arm Art Gallery, and through the FCA (Federation of Canadian Artists) in Kamloops and Vancouver, BC.

He has received many awards through the FCA and since 2014 he is a Senior member of Federation of Canadian Artists (SFCA).

Collections

Collections in Canada: Vernon Performing Art Centre in Vernon BC - University of Northern BC in Prince George, BC - Two Rivers Art Gallery, Prince George, BC - Prince George Credit Union, Prince George, BC - Business Development Bank of Canada, Prince George, BC - CKPG Radio Station, Prince George, BC.