Colleen Barry is a disciplined, classically trained artist who works in oils, charcoal, pen, and ink. Her favorite subjects include portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and anatomical studies. Colleen's style is warm, rich in color and expression, and emotionally evocative. Her work captures what is essential and elusive in her subjects without unnecessary ornament.
      Born in 1981, Colleen currently lives and works in New York City. A student of the National Academy of Design, the Harlem Studio of Art, the Hudson River Landscape School and the Water Street Atelier, she has been the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards. As a student, she exhibited her work at the National Academy of Art, The National Arts Club, and Cork Gallery in Lincoln Center.
      While attending The National Academy of Design, Colleen studied independently with Ghanaian painter Sam Adoquei. In 2004, sculptor Greg Wyatt awarded her the Newington-Cropsy Award, which sent her to Italy for the summer to study the Italian masters. Upon her return home Colleen began an intense 2 year study under Andrea Smith at the Harlem Studio of Art in Harlem New York City. 
      Upon finishing her study at the Harlem Studio of Art, in 2007, Colleen took a two month long trip to Switzerland and Nepal. In Switzerland she produced oil paintings of the Alps, in particular the beautiful mountain paths and fields of Zermatt. In Nepal Colleen focused more on her pen and ink studies of locals in the streets and stupas of Kathmandu, monkeys in the sacred temples and the various breeds of cattle and livestock belonging to the different villages she visited. Colleen was most impressed and inspired by the traditional Tibetan villages of Northern Nepal, in particular a town called Kagbeni. In her work from Nepal Colleen attempts to capture moments in reality that contain truth and beauty. 
      Presently, Colleen is involved in an intense study with Jacob Collins at the Water Street Atelier in New York City. She has immersed herself in the study of human anatomy, ecorche and portrait painting. It is at this school that she is enhancing her knowledge of classical figure drawing and painting.