Barry DeBaun

About The Artist

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.

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.

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.

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

 

Far Away Thoughts

  Finalist Award - Camelback Gallery Open Theme 2026 Exhibition

  6th Place - Floral -Realism Category - 2026 International Art Collectors Choice Awards, World Art Awards

  5th Place - 2025 American Art Awards - Portrait of Someone Not Famous Category, October 2025

  Talent Prize - TeraVarna 11th Portrait International Art Competition, July 2025

  BoldBrush Painting Competition - FAV15% - April 2025

  1st Place - Displayavaganza Contest 87, Any Theme, FAA, 12/1/24

  Honorable Mention - Light Space &Time Gallery - Winter International Art Exhibition 2024

  Merit Award - Artist's Choice International Art Show, Grey Cube Gallery, Dec 2024

  Artist Distinction Award - Gallery 4% - Faces & Features, Dec 2024

  1st Place - Art Room Gallery, International Open Art Exhibition, Nov 2024

 

A Song In Her Heart

    Bronze Award - Camelback Gallery Open Theme 2026 Exhibition

    Honorable Mention - NTD International Figure Painting Competition, January 2026

    Talent Prize - TeraVarna 12th Portrait International Juried Art Competition, January 2026

    Finalist Award - Artavita Artist of the Year Competition 2025

    Special Merit Award - Art & Color 365 Magazine's 2025 Portrait Contest - Published in 2025 Fall Issue

    Notable Artwork Award - Best of the Best Contest, Premier Fine Artworks, FAA, 11/1/25

 

   2025 World Art Awards - 3rd Highest Score in Contest (won in multiple categories) June 2025

     1st Place - Portrait of Someone Not Famous

     2nd Place - Oil-Figure

     4th Place - Fashion

     5th Place - Realism-Human

     2nd Place - Realism or Impressionism- Landscape With Life

 

  3rd Place - Oil Figure Category - 2025 International Art Collectors Choice Awards, World Art Awards

  First Place - Art Room Gallery, International Artist's Choice Exhibition, March 2025

  Honorable Mention - TeraVarna 9th Figurative International Juried Art Competition, March 2025

  BoldBrush Painting Competition - FAV15% - March, April, June 2025

  Top Art Contest Winner Admin's Choice - Favorite Image Contest, Brushstrokes Signature Collection, FAA, 3/4/25

  Honorable Mention - 15th Annual International “Figurative” Art Exhibition - March 2025, Light Space Time Gallery

  Top Art Contest Winner Admin's Choice - Hand Painted Contest, Brushstrokes Signature Collection, FAA, 2/16/25

 

Field Of Light

  3rd Place - Picturesque Painted Snowy Landscapes Contest, FAA, 1/1/26

 

Rip Van Winkle 

  Honorable Mention - TeraVarna's 14th Landscape International Juried Art Competition October 2026

 

Winter In The Catskills

  Administrator’s Notable Artwork -The Color of Snow Contest - Premier Fine Artworks, 12/1/25

  1st Place - Theme-Avaganza -Best of January 2024 Contest, FAA, 2/5/24

  Tied for 2nd Place - Winter Captured in Paint, Pastels, Pen, Pencil Contest, FAA, 2/25/24

 

Bannerman Ruin On The Hudson

  1st Place - 2024 Spring Online Showcase - Art Preservation Institute, 3/30/24

  1st Place - Displayavaganza Contest 71, FAA, 12/24/23

  Tied for 1st Place - Oil Painters of America October Showcase Online Contest, FAA, 10/23/23

 

Madison

  Tied for 1st Place - Portrait Oil Painting, Fine Art America, 7/14/26

  2026 International Art Collectors Choice Awards, World Art Awards - 6th Place in 3 Categories: Oil-Figure, Fashion, Portrait of Someone Not Famous.

  Honorable Mention - TeraVarna 12th Portrait International Juried Art Competition, January 2026

  Semi-Finalist - 18th International ARC Salon Competition, 2025

  Excellent Art Achievement - Portrait Art Exhibition - Artist Space Gallery, September 2025

  Contest Administrator’s Notable Artworks - My Best Artwork Contest, Fine Art America, 7/29/25

  4th Place - 2025 World Art Awards - Portrait of Someone Not Famous Category, June 2025

  1st Place - Grey Cube Gallery's 5th International Portrait Art Show January 2025

  2nd Place - Art Room Gallery, International Portrait Art Exhibition, Dec 2024

  Artist Distinction Award - Gallery 4% - Faces & Features, Dec 2024

  Honorable Mention - Light Space Time “Open” Art Exhibition – Nov 2024

  BoldBrush Painting Competition - FAV15% - Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec 2024, Jan, Feb 2025

  Honorable Mention - TeraVarna 10th Portrait International Juried Art Competition, Oct 2024

  Artist Distinction Award - Gallery 4% - Forms & Figures, Sept 2024

  Honorable Mention - TeraVarna 11th Open International Juried Art Competition, Aug-Sept 2024

  Tied for 3rd Place - Figurative Paintings, FAA, 10/13/24.

  Finalist - Fusion Art - 10th Annual Figures & Faces Art Exhibition, Sept 2024

 

Morning Peace

  3rd Place - Homeward Bound Contest, FAA, 7/30/25

 

The Kaaterskill

  5th Place - Realism - Landscape Category - 2026 International Art Collectors Choice Awards, World Art Awards

  Semi-Finalist - 18th International ARC Salon Competition, 2025

 

River's Edge

  Tied for 1st Place - Landscape Drawing Contest, FAA, 4/15/26

 

October Woods

  3rd Place - Welcome Autumn Contest, by Premier Fine Arts, 9/10/25

  1st Place - Autumn Splendor Theme - Avaganza Contest, FAA, 9/30/24

  Finalist - Haywain Magazine Contest, Summer 2021 Edition

 

Peaceful Days

  Special Recognition Award - Light Space Time International “Open” Art Exhibition - Nov 2024

 

Stormwatchers At Acadia

  1st Place - Theme- Avaganza - Hurricanes and Storms Contest, FAA, 10/21/24

 

Old Farm Road

  1st Place - Journey Path Hand Painted Contest, FAA, 5/12/24

  1st Place - The Street to Countryside Contest, FAA, 6/23/23

 

Golden Days

  2nd Place - New Artwork April-July 2024 Contest, FAA, 7/13/24

 

The Workshop

  Special Recognition Award - Light Space &Time Gallery - Winter International Art Exhibition 2024

  Tied for 2nd Place - Artwork Created This Year Contest, FAA, 6/20/24

 

Katya In Black

  Honorable Mention - TeraVarna 12th Portrait International Juried Art Competition, January 2026

  Excellent Art Achievement - Portrait Art Exhibition - Artist Space Gallery, September 2025

  Honorable Mention - International Faces Art Show July 2025, Grey Cube Gallery

 

Kingston Light

  1st Place - Theme-Avaganza S2 C12 - Architecture Contest, FAA, 4/17/23

 

Mother’s Touch

  Honorable Mention - NTD International Figure Painting Competition, January 2026

  Special Merit Award - Art & Color 365 Magazine's 2025 Portrait Contest - Published in 2025 Fall Issue

  Honorable Mention - Light Space &Time Gallery - Summer International Art Exhibition 2025

  6th Place - 2925 World Art Awards - Realism-Human Category, June 2025

  2nd Place - The Eternal Inspiration of Mothers in Art Contest, FAA, 3/25/25

  3rd Place - Art Collide - Open Theme Fall 2024 Exhibition

  Artistic Excellence Award - 10th Annual Figures & Faces Art Exhibition, Fusion Art – 9/24

  Tied for 1st Place - Mother's Day is Around the Corner Contest, FAA, 5/10/24

  Tied for 1st Place - Figurative Paintings Contest, FAA, 3/28/24

  1st Place - Let's Get Back To The Basics Traditional Paintings Contest, FAA, 11/30/23

  Tied for 3rd Place - Mother's Day Contest, FAA, 5/8/23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Tied 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

 

So Delicate and Lovely a Bloom

  Tied for 2nd Place - Petal Impression With Woman Contest, FAA, 4/28/26

 

Madison Bridal Portrait

  Honorable Mention - International Faces Art Show July 2025, Grey Cube Gallery

  Finalist in the Fusion Art - Figures & Faces 2025 International Art Exhibition, 6/25

 

Mohonk Ledge

  2nd Place - Displayavaganza Contest 76, FAA, 4/8/24

 

Among Falling Lace

  3rd Place - Realism - Still Life Category - 2026 International Art Collectors Choice Awards, World Art Awards

  Administrator’s Notable Artwork - Beautifully Arranged Still Life Artworks Contest, FAA, 5/1/25

 

Country Life 

  Honorable Mention - Nostalgia Contest, FAA, 6/16/24

 

Raising Of Lazarus

  1st Place - The Life Of Christ Contest, FAA, 10/1/25

  Tied for 2nd Place - The Works Of Jesus Art Contest, FAA, 5/20/24

  Exhibited at a special invitational show at the Russell Senate House Rotunda in Washington DC in May 2001

 

In The Wilderness

  2nd Place - Beautiful Summer Countryside Living Contest, FAA, 8/11/23

 

Dawn's Early Light

 Honorable Mention - Jerry's Artarama - January Monthly Art Challenge, 2025

 1st Place - Snow and Water Contest, FAA, 3/7/24

 3rd Place - Painting the Old Way - Winter Paintings Contest, FAA, 12/8/23

 

Cornering The Course

  Tied for 3rd Place - Hooves on the Ground Contest, FAA, 10/29/23

 

Afterglow

  Honorable Mention - Jerry's Artarama - December Monthly Art Challenge Holiday Traditions 2024

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

 

Morning In The Catskills

  Tied for 3rd Place - Summertime Landscape from Appalachia Contest, FAA, 8/1/23

 

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

 

Morning Glory

  Contest Administrator’s Notable Artwork - Breathtaking Landscape Artworks, FAA, 8/16/25

  Special Merit Award - Light Space &Time Gallery - Winter International Art Exhibition 2024

  Merit Award - Artist's Choice International Art Show, Grey Cube Gallery, Dec 2024

  3rd Place - Something Peaceful Contest, FAA, 6/12/23

  2nd Place - Traditional Art N11 Contest, FAA, 4/16/23

 

The Escarpment

  Tied for 3rd Place - Summertime Landscape from Appalachia Contest, FAA, 8/1/23

 

White Crest Beach

  Tied for 3rd Place - Beaches Paintings Only Contest, FAA, 5/24/23

 

He Shall Be Called...

  3rd Place - Scripture As Art - The Book Of Luke Contest, FAA, 6/7/25

  1st Place - Scripture As Art - The Christmas Story Contest, FAA, 12/10/24

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

 

Their Secret Place

  Tied for 2nd place - Beautiful Watercolors Contest, FAA, 4/1/23

 

Days Of Dreams

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

 

Drifting Clouds

 1st Place - Landscapes - Men Only Contest, FAA, 9/13/25

 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

  Tied for 2nd Place - The Meditative Dreamscape Contest, FAA, 7/27/26

  1st Place - Visions of the Shore Contest, FAA, 10/20/25

  Special Merit Artists Award - Light Space &Time Gallery - Summer International Art Exhibition 2025

  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

  3rd Place - Sounds of Silence-Traditional Art Contest, FAA. 3/4/24

  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

 

October Light

  First Place - Art Room Gallery, International Artist's Choice Exhibition, March 2025

 

Days Of Summer

  2nd Place - Happy Sidewalk Art Show Contest, FAA, 5/29/23

  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

 

Drifting Thoughts

  3rd Place - Golden Hour Paintings Contest, FAA, 8/1/23

 

The Refuge, Assateague Island VA

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

 

Eternal Light

 Tied for 3rd Place - Beautiful Watercolors Contest, FAA, 10/1/24

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

 

White Shoulders 

 Tied for 2nd Place - Drawing a Face Contest, FAA, 6/14/26

 Contest Administrator's Notable Artwork - Black and White - Nothing More Contest, FAA, 5/26/26

Tied for 2nd Place - Drawing a Face Contest, FAA, 6/14/26

 

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 3rd Place - Beach Activities Contest, FAA, 2/3/25

 2nd Place - Beach Memories Contest, FAA, 10/16/24

 1st Place - Traditional Art Painted By Hand Contest, FAA, 7/23/23

 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

 

The Dreamer

  Tied for 3rd Place - Sleep, Sleep, I Need Sleep Contest, FAA, 3/18/25

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

 

Autumn Moon

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

 

Nearing The Hudson

  Special Merit Award - Art & Color 365 Magazine's 2026 Realism Contest - Published in 2026 Spring Issue

  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

   Tied for 2nd Place - Watercolor Landscape Contest, FAA, 12/4/23

 

Winter Woods

   2nd Place - 2025 World Art Awards - Realism-Landscape Category, June 2025

   1st Place - Enchanting Pathways Contest, FAA, 12/16/24

   Tied for 3rd place - Snow Tracks Contest, FAA, 10/20/24

   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

   Contest Administrator’s Notable Artwork - Farewell to Summer Contest, FAA, 9/1/25

   3rd Place - Letter R Watercolor Contest, FAA, 7/30/23

   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