….
Barry Van Dusen grew up in Harvard from the age of 10, and discovered landscapes and ecologically astute neighbors and teachers who encouraged his interest in natural history. Since then, his accomplishments as a field wildlife artist have afforded him the opportunity to work and travel with other nature artists on projects around the world to raise money for conservation of threatened habitats.
Most recently, over the course of four-and-a-half years, he visited all 61 of Mass Audubon’s public wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers, and museums, producing drawings and paintings at each location. In his new book, “Finding Sanctuary,” you’ll find many paintings of Barry’s favorite subject — birds — along with landscapes, flowers and plants, butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, salamanders, turtles, frogs, and fish.
Fivesparks interviewed 
Barry to learn about his 4-year residency (which led to the book) with Mass Audubon’s Museum of American Bird Art, the challenges and rewards of documenting nature first-hand, and how he uses his field sketches to develop more complex works back in the studio.
Follow Barry’s travels and share in his adventures— from the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket to the mountain peaks of the Berkshires to hatching turtles on Cape Cod, rare orchids in the Connecticut River Valley, and a bear encounter in a western Massachusetts forest.
Birders, naturalists, conservationists, gardeners, artists, art appreciators, and all outdoor folks will find “sanctuary” in this book and our conversation with Barry. Live Q&A to follow the interview.