Barry DeBaun was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1956, and raised on Long Island before moving to the Catskills at the age of ten, where he continues to live and work. Set within the quiet majesty of the mountains and informed by an early sensitivity to the sea, his art emerges from a lifelong communion with the natural world. In landscapes of lingering light, in figures marked by tenderness and stillness, in still lifes rendered with exacting care, and in seascapes steeped in atmosphere, DeBaun evokes the contemplative spirit of the American Romantic tradition.

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Working fluently in both oils and watercolor, his paintings carry the refinement and lyricism of nineteenth-century art. The influence of the Hudson River School, the Pre-Raphaelites, and the American Impressionists may be felt throughout his work, yet his vision remains distinctly his own—rooted in place, attentive to mood, and devoted to the enduring presence of beauty. In this way, DeBaun continues the legacy of Thomas Cole and the great painters of the Catskills, extending that heritage with quiet conviction into the present day.

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His achievements have brought him wide recognition. In 2016, he was voted Best Artist of the Hudson Valley by the readers of Hudson Valley Magazine. He was a semi-finalist in the 18th International ARC Salon Competition in 2025 for Madison and The Kaaterskill, and a semi-finalist in the 16th International ARC Salon Competition in 2023 for Drifting Clouds. In 2017, he was selected as a Notable Artist in Art Impact USA’s Best of the Best exhibition in Washington, D.C., and he served as cover artist for Haywain Magazine’s Spring 2019 issue, which included a feature article on his work.

His honors include awards from the American Artists Professional League, the Salmagundi Club, World Art Awards, Kent Art Association, Northeast Watercolor Society, Ridgewood Art Institute, Fine Art America, and the Hudson Valley Art Association, where he received the Gold Medal of Honor for his watercolor Metra.

 

DeBaun’s paintings reside in private collections internationally. Over the course of his career, he has exhibited in notable galleries and museums along the East Coast, including the Albany Institute of History and Art in Albany, New York; the Berkshire Museum of Fine Art in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, Massachusetts. He also participated in a special invitational exhibition at the Russell Senate House Rotunda in Washington, D.C., in May 2001.

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Beyond the studio, DeBaun has offered his service to the wider arts community through board membership with the Hudson Valley Art Association, the American Artists Professional League, the Council of American Artist Societies, and the Hudson River Watercolor Society.

 

Prize Winning Artwork

by Barry DeBaun

 

Kaaterskill Falls

  1st Place - Waterfall Oil Paintings Contest, FAA (Fine Art America), 10/2/20

  Tied for 3rd Place - Tourist Place Painting Contest, FAA, 9/22/21

  2nd Place - Waterfalls Painting Contest, FAA, 1/29/21

  1st Place - Landscapes of Places You've Been Contest, FAA, 1/25/20

 

Afterglow

  1st Place - Displayavaganza Contest 50, FAA, 9/6/22

 

Harbor Mist

  2nd Place - 10 Or More In A Row Contest, FAA, 3/8/23

  1st Place - Letter H Watercolor Contest, FAA, 9/16/22

 

He Shall Be Called...

  Tied for 1st Place - Savior's Birthday Contest, FAA, 12/10/22

 

Days Of Dreams

  Tied for 1st Place - Beauty and Purity Group September Contest, FAA, 8/27/22

 

Drifting Clouds

 Semi-Finalist - 16th International ARC Salon Competition. 2023

 Tied for 3rd Place - Your Best Painting Contest, FAA, 2/3/23

 1st Place - Oil Painters of America June Contest, FAA, 6/23/22

 

Dreamscape

  1st Place - Artwork Created This Year Contest, FAA, 5/13/22

  Tied for 2nd Place - What Is Your Intent As An Artist Contest, FAA, 5/24/22

 

Summer Stillness

  1st Place - Get Noticed Painting Contest, FAA, 4/2/22

  Tied for 3rd Place - Oil Painters of America April Showcase Contest, FAA, 4/21/22

 

Days Of Summer

  Tied for 3rd Place - Happiness Contest, FAA, 9/2/22

 

Late Morning Haze

  Tied for 1st Place - Oil Painters of America April Showcase Contest, FAA, 4/21/22

 

The Refuge, Assateague Island VA

  1st Place - Wetlands Contest, FAA, 12/28/21

 

Eternal Light

 1st Place - Letter E Watercolor Contest, FAA, 6/15/22

 

White Shoulders 

 Tied for 1st Place - Graphite Art Only Contest, FAA, 3/25/22

 

After The Rain

 Tied for 3rd Place - Fall Leaves Watercolor Contest, FAA, 10/27/22

 

Psalm 19:1

  2nd Place - Bible Scripture Themed Painting Contest, FAA, 11/3/21 

 

The Day Awakens

  Tied for 2nd Place - New Drawing and Painting Contest, FAA, 7/19/21

 

Into Thy Hands

  Tied for 1st Place - Stories Told In Watercolors Contest, FAA, 4/30/21

 

Winter's Breath

  Tied for 2nd Place - Winter Day Contest, FAA, 2/23/21

 

The Horsemen

  2nd Place - Haywain Magazine's Any Subject Goes Contest, 12/24/20

 

The Marginal Way, Ogunquit Maine

 1st Place - Walking Paths Contest, FAA, 9/26/20

 

The Call Of The Sea

 Tied for 1st Place - Horses Artwork Contest, FAA, 11/6/22

 Tied for 3rd Place - Modern Horse Art Contest, FAA, 6/20/22

 2nd Place - Seascape Images Contest, FAA, 4/3/22

 2nd Place - Haywain Magazine's Sunset On The Beach Contest, 7/1/21

 Tied for 3rd Place - Oil Painters of America, May Contest, FAA, 5/28/21

 1st Place - Shores of Eternity Contest, FAA, 6/28/20

 1st Place - Exposamontha Contest 26, FAA, 6/8/20

 2nd Place - Oil Paintings Only Contest, FAA, 7/22/20

 

Quiet In The Wilderness

  Tied for 3rd place - Oil Painters of America Online Showcase October Contest, FAA, 10/22/21

 

Morning Light

  Honorable Mention - Winter Blues Art Competition, FAA, 1/12/22

  Tied for 3rd Place - Footprints Contest, FAA, 12/19/21

 

The Old Iron Lady

 Tied for 2nd Place - Work Boats Contest, FAA, 3/22.22

 Tied for 3rd Place - Cape Cod and Islands Contest, FAA, 8/12/21

 

Fishing The Esopus

   President's Choice Award from the Art Preservation Initiative, 10/19/22 - Feature Article in Nov. 22 issue of Haywain Magazine

  1st Place - Traditional Painting - Impressions of Home Contest, Art Preservation Initiative, 9/7/22

  Tied for 3rd Place - Gone Fishing Contest, FAA, 8/31/21

 

Levon Helm Studios Legendary Ramble Barn

  2nd Place - Autumn Barns Contest, FAA, 4/29/21

 

Abandoned Barn

  2nd Place - Paintings of Country Scenes Left to Rust and Crumble Contest, FAA, 8/21/21

 

Serene Morning

  3rd Place - Oil Painting Contest, FAA, 1/14/21

 

Empathy Consoling Grief

  Tied for 1st Place - For The Broken Hearted Contest, FAA, 10/9/20

 

Montgomery Gardens

  Tied for 2nd Place - Flower Reflection Contest, FAA, 4/29/20

 

Mother’s Touch

  2nd Place - Fine Art America's No 1 Contest, FAA, 4/26/22

  Tie for 2nd Place - Compassion Contest, FAA, 1/31/22

  1st Place - Realistic Art Kickoff Contest, FAA, 8/24/21

  Tie for 2nd Place - Family Matters Contest, FAA, 5/23/21

  Tie for 3rd Place - Masters, Mother May I Contest, FAA, 3/6/21

  Tie for 1st Place - Mother and Child Contest, FAA, 12/11/20

  1st Place - Favorite Paintings Contest, FAA, 1/12/20

  Tie for 2nd Place - Oil Paintings Contest, FAA, 12/1/20

  Tie for 2nd Place - Family and Friends Contest, FAA, 6/3/20

  4th Place - Your Absolute Best, FAA, 4/15/20

  3rd Place - Relationship Bonding Contest, FAA, 9/29/19

  1st Place - Being Human Contest, FAA, 3/4/19

  1st Place – Exposavaganza, FAA, 2/4/19

  1st Place – Oil painters of America, February Showcase, FAA, 2/25/18

  Notable Artist in Art Impact USA - August 2017 – Washington DC

  2nd Place – FAA contest, 4/20/17

  1st Place – Sentimental Journey Contest, FAA, 12/3/15

  3rd Place – Painting The Old Way, FAA, 6/13/15

 

The Dreamer

  1st Place - Greco-Roman Theme Contest, FAA, 7/21/22

 

Autumn Moon

  3rd Place - Moon Contest, FAA, 1/12/21

 

Nearing The Hudson

  Honorable Mention - Lakes and River Banks Contest, FAA, 5/15/2

 

Tender Embrace

  Honorable Mention - Masters, What Is Love Contest, FAA, 2/13/21

  2nd Place - Mother and Child Contest, FAA, 12/11/20

 

New England Autumn, Kent Falls

   Tied for 3rd Place - Bridges Only Contest, FAA, 7/22/20

 

Days Gone By

   1st Place - Exposavaganza Contest 87, FAA, 3/2/20

 

Winter Woods

   1st Place - In Every Walk With Nature Contest, FAA, 3/8/23

   Tied for 1st Place - Christmas Contest, FAA, 12/27/22

   1st Place - Snowy Fun and Winter Scenes Contest, FAA, 1/13/22

   1st Place - Winter Contest, FAA, 11/5/21

   Tied for 3rd Place - Footprints Contest, FAA, 12/19/21

   Tied for 2nd Place - Snowy Winter Paintings Contest, FAA, 11/14/21

   1st Place - Haywain Magazine's Art of Winter Contest, 12/12/19

   1st Place - Celebrate the Year-End Holidays Contest, FAA, 12/13/16

 

River Waders

   1st Place - Watercolor Beaches Contest, FAA, 8/23/21

   Tied for 2nd Place - Your Best Watercolor Contest, FAA (Fine Art America), 11/23/19

 

Across The Hudson

   1st Place - Expozavaganza Contest 66, FAA, 10/7/19

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The Centurion's Great Faith

   1st Place - Christianityvaganza 1, FAA, 10/22/19

 

The Grandeur Of Kaaterskill

   1st Place - Mountain Paintings Contest, FAA, 5/27/20

   1st Place - Expozavaganza Any Theme Contest, FAA, 6/3/19

 

Enchanting Homestead

  Honorable Mention - Landscaping In Front Of A Home Contest, FAA, 2/16/21

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Pears

   Tied for 1st Place - Fruit Contest, FAA, 9/24/19

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Silver, Gold and Rust

   3rd Place - Haywain Magazine, FAA, 9/21/19, Autumn Animals and Activities Contest

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Evening Light At Kingston Point

   Tied for 3rd Place - Lighthouses In Winter Contest, FAA, 3/25/22

   Tied for 3rd Place - Merry Lighthouse Contest, FAA, 10/17/21

   Tied for 2nd Place - The Colours Of Twilight Contest, FAA, 7/18/19

 

Golden Haze

   3rd Place - Landscape Paintings Contest, FAA, 3/20/22

   1st Place - Haywain Magazine's Fall Forests with Rivers and Streams Contest, 10/4/21

   1st Place - Expozavaganza Contest, FAA, 4/22/19

 

Green Meadows

   1st Place - Cattle in the Landscape Contest, Administrator's Choice, FAA, 2/17/19

 

Pristine Morning

  Finalist - BoldBrush Painting Competition, October 2019, (Judge - Joseph McGurl)

  2nd Place - Quiet Contest, FAA, 1/27/19

  1st Place - Winter Peace Contest, FAA, 1/1/19

 

Horse Country

  2nd Place - Gentle Animals Contest, FAA, 6/15/20

  3rd Place - Oil Painters of America Online Showcase, FAA, Oct. 10/21/18

 

Strength In Adversity

  1st Place - Your Very Best Landscape Painting, FAA, 4/13/18

 

The Crossing

  Tied for 2nd Place - Oil Painters of America April Showcase Contest, FAA, 4/21/22

  1st Place - Welcome Spring Contest, FAA, 3/14/20

  3rd Place - Oil Painting Contest, FAA, 10/18/19

  1st Place - Haywain Magazine, FAA, 2/6/19 – prize - cover of magazine

  1st Place - Lavender Fields Contest, FAA, 2/18/18

  2nd Place - Landscapes Contest, FAA, 11/20/17

  1st Place - Spring Contest, FAA, 4/25/17

  1st Place - Spring Fling Contest, FAA, 2/13/17

 

Autumn Solitude

  1st Place - Autumn Colors Contest, FAA, 10/13/17

 

The New Dress

  Tied for 3rd Place - Sewing Machine Contest, FAA, 11/28/22

  1st Place - Mother's Day Contest, FAA, 5/30/17

 

The Last Touch

  1st Place - Displayavaganza Contest, FAA, 4/10/22

  Honorable Mention - Watercolor Contest, FAA, 7/26/20

 

The Secret

  3rd Place - Communication Contest, FAA, 12/28/16

 

Sweet Treasures

  2nd Place - Still Life Contest, FAA, 7/2/16

 

Breath Of Winter

  1st Place - Snow Contest, FAA, 2/12/16

 

Sea Breeze

  1st Place - Summertime Contest, FAA, 7/28/22

  2nd Place - FAA contest, 8/8/14

 

Summer Dreams 

   3rd Place - Masters - Sleep It Off Contest, FAA, 12/22/20

   Council of American Artist Societies Award - 1997 AAPL Grand National

 

Spring Blossoms 

   1st Place - Expozavaganza - Any Theme - Media Goes - 132 Contest, FAA, 1/11/21

   Peter Matulavage Memorial Award - 1995 AAPL Grand National

 

Peaches And Cream 

   2nd Place - Containers in Traditional Art Contest, FAA, 11/1/19

    Merit Award - 1996 Northeast Watercolor Society

 

Hope

   Presidents Award - 1993 AAPL Grand National

 

Beauty Among Ashes 

   Tied for 2nd Place - Letter B Watercolor Contest, FAA, 3/16/22

   3rd Place - Realism In Your Paintings Contest, FAA, 5/27/21

   Philip Isenberg Award - 1992 AAPL Grand National

   Portrait Award - 1993 Ridgewood Open Jury Show 

   2nd Place WC - 1993 AAPL Chapter Show

 

Metra

   1st Place - Displayavaganza Contest, FAA, 4/10/22

   Exhibited 1989 AAPL Chapter Show 

   Gold Medal Of Honor - 1989 Hudson Valley Art Assn. 

   Elizabeth K. Ellis Award - 1991 Salmagundi Club Combined Show 

 

White Gardenia

   Tied for 3rd Place - People Next To Windows Contest, FAA, 11/4/21

   Exhibited 1989 UCWS at ERPF 

   Exhibited 1988 AAPL Grand National (Juror - not in compitition) 

   Ogden Pleisner Memorial Award - 1991 Salmagundi Club Combined Show 

   Exhibited 1991 Hudson Valley Art Assn.

 

Study For White Gardenia 

   Don Donaldson Memorial Award - 1988 Salmagundi Club Fall Graphics Show

 

Lorri

   Exhibited 1989 AAPL Chapter Show 

    Honorable Mention - 1989 Salmagundi Club OWPS Show 

   Popular Prize & Merit Award - 1989 International Platform Assn.

 

Still Waters

   Exhibited 1988 North East Watercolor Society 

   Washington Square Award - 1988 Salmagundi Club Junior Show

 

Waiting 

   Exhibited 1987 Salmagundi Club Fall Graphics Show 

   Don Donaldson Memorial Award - 1988 Salmagundi Club Thumb Box Show

         

The Cost Of Freedom 

   Exhibited 1988 Salmagundi Club OWPS 

   IPA Merit Award - 1989 International Platform Assn. 

   Exhibited 1990 AAPL Grand National

 

Morning Rain

   Tied for 3rd Place - People Next To Windows Contest, FAA, 11/4/21 

   Gold Medal - 1987 International Platform Assn.

   Popular Prize - 1987 Critic's Choice Show at Woodstock Art Assn. 

   Exhibited 1988 Salmagundi Club OWPS Show

 

Geneva's Daughter 

   Tied for 1st Place - Shadows of a Beautiful Woman Contest, FAA, 12/6/21

   3rd Place - Portrait Paintings Contest, FAA, 12/9/21

   1st Place - Women The Essence Of Beauty Contest, FAA, 8/14/21

   Tie for 2nd Place - Masters - Collectible Collectibles Contest, FAA, 12/28/20

   2nd Place - Woman, Beauty and Purity Contest, FAA, 6/19/20 

   Honorable Mention - Watercolor Contest, FAA, 7/26/20

   3rd Place - Selectavanganza contest, FAA, 4/27/19

   2nd Prize - 1987 UCWS at ERPF 

   Sam Leitman Award - 1987 Salmagundi Club WC Show 

   Popular Prize - 1987 International Platform Assn. 

   Exhibited 1988 Hudson Valley Art Assn. 

   Exhibited 1989 AAPL Chapter Show

 

Images Of Romance

   Exhibited 1986 Salmagundi Club Thumb Box 

   Leo Kaytes Ford Award - 1987 OCWS

 

Mother's Roses 

   Silver Medal - 1986 International Platform Assn.

   Exhibited 1987 Salmagundi Club WC Show 

   Philip Isenberg Award - 1987 AAPL Grand National

 

The Mirror 

    Honorable Mention - 1986 Salmagundi Club Graphics

 

Becky

   Exhibited Jan. 1986 Salmagundi Club 

   3rd WC Prize - 1989 AAPL Chapter Show

 

Haze Over The Hudson

   Salmagundi Prize - 1985 Fall Auction

 

Brambles In Blossom 

   Honorable Mention - Fall 1985 at Salmagundi Club

 

Distant Thoughts

   1st Place - Your Favorite Watercolor Painting Contest, FAA, 4/19/21

   1st Place - Expozavaganza Contest 82, FAA, 1/27/20

   Exhibited 1983 Hudson Valley Art Assn. 

   Honorable Mention - Summer 1989 at Salmagundi Club

 

Icy Adversary 

   Honorable Mention - Ulster County Council of the Arts, 1983 

 

Golden Light

   First Prize - Hunter Mt. German Alps Festival. 1978 

   Exhibited 1979 Academic Art Assn. Springfield MA

         

Warming Up

   Honorable Mention - Kent Art President's Show, 1979