Artist of the Month July 2025

Barney Levitt

Massachusetts, United States

I’m a Boston based realist oil painter.  Humor and a strong narrative are often elements in my work.  A strong color palette and fine detail are also important to me. I’m represented by several galleries and have shown my work nationally and internationally.

How and when did you start creating art?

I have been creating art ever since I could hold a crayon and scribble on parents’ living room walls.  My Aunt (also an artist) gave me my first easel and oil paint set when I was twelve.  I don’t remember a time that I wasn’t creating art.  I graduated with a B.A. Fine Arts degree.

What media and genres do you work in?

I work exclusively in oils and my work is representational.  If I had to classify my work I’d say I’m a realist oil painter with a strong dose of whimsy and humor.

Who or what are your influences?

When I was in college, I focused on the Dutch and Flemish Masters.  I was awe-struck by their attention to detail and have tried to emulate their style.  I also view a massive amount of art on-line.  In my day to day wanderings, I’m always on the lookout for sights/images that spark my imagination.  I keep a running notebook of title and subject possibilities.

What was your inspiration for

Going On Vacation

?

I own chickens so they often appear in my compositions.  I’ve portrayed them playing volleyball on the beach, riding a roller coaster, drinking cocktails, and wearing crowns and tiaras.  It’s always fun to put them in environments the viewer wouldn’t expect.  In the case of ‘Going On Vacation’, I remember some of the vintage luggage my parents had and thought it would make a great composition to have the chickens packed as if they were being taken on vacation.

Describe your creative process?

It always starts with the seed of an idea that gets loosely painted in a burnt sienna underpainting.  I gradually work of the details through successive layers of paint.  I occasionally utilize Photoshop to manipulate elements of the composition before committing it to canvas.

What are you working on currently?

I have several projects I’m working on simultaneously.  Two of my projects involve bears (inner tubing down a snowy slope, drinking cocktails at a beach, or schussing down a ski slope.)

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

Near term goals: to keep my galleries happy with plenty of new work….Long term-goals: to make people happy or maybe even laugh out loud.  Bringing joy to the world in a troubled time is so fulfilling.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

I would love people to sign up for my once-a-month newsletter by going to my website: www.barneylevitt.com  They can see my new work and the inspiration benind it.  To purchase my work, they can e-mail directly at: barnart55@gmail.com

They can also follow me on IG: www.instagram.com/barneylevittfineart/

FB: www.facebook.com/barney.levitt

Gallery Antonia: www.galleryantonia.com

Stewart Clifford Gallery: www.stewartcliffordgallery.com

Gallery Twist: www.gallerytwist.com