Al Barker was born in New Jersey and raised within the New York City Metropolitan area, where he learned to appreciate the outdoors by spending a great deal of time hunting and fishing. These activities, no doubt, influenced his decision to pursue academic studies in Environmental Science, earning himself Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Forestry and, later, a National Fellowship for Doctorate work. After his studies, Al became a Forestry educator and worked in private industry, eventually teaching his trade at the post-secondary level. 

 

Without formal art training, Al began drawing and painting wildlife scenes to assist his teaching curricula and has been greatly influenced by the works of Milton Weiler and Don Stone, N.A. Presently, Al is a full time artist, specializing in smaller-sized paintings. He completes his work in both oil and watercolors, as well as rendering many small editions of etchings. 

 

Al is one of a few artists that have exhibited continuously at the Easton Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland since its inception over 30 years ago. Al has won over 50 major awards in premier art competitions and principal exhibitions, including Grand National American Artists Professional League, New York; Greenwich Workshop Galleries, Connecticut and California; Settlers West, Arizona; Gallery 1, Ohio; and Salmagundi Club, New York. Mr. Barker’s work can be seen in almost every National Miniature Exhibition in the continental United States. 

 

“The small towns and villages, along with the wildlife which borders and utilizes the tidal marshes/estuaries of these places have always interested me. The seasonal influence, as well as the daily tidal changes, constantly create interesting color patterns. The changing color is, I think, the most important aspect that influences me. After completing a painting, I want people to say to themselves, ‘I have been there and seen that.’”