Nick Barker Artist

I am a self taught artist, living in Hampshire, working predominantly in pastels, pencils and acrylic inks.

I am a coach mechanic by trade, which has given me a love and understanding of the technical detail of vehicles and aircraft, resulting in Helicopters, Aeroplanes, Cars and Truck drawings.

Being a massive fan of the Boomtown Rats and music from that era has influenced my pencil portraiture of Sir Bob and the fellow Rats along with Debbie Harry of ‘Blondie’ fame.  Which has lead to a further portraits of Debbie and Fish from Marillion, both been personally signed. My work can be characterised by an expressive detail with unique realism.

The overwhelming landscapes and wildlife of Africa have inspired my wildlife work.  I have been lucky enough to travel to Botswana, Tanzania, America and Australia to gather reference material to produce my drawings and pastel paintings.  This coupled with visits to Zoos has given me an enormous amount of inspiration. Majestic has been honoured with the Simon Coombes Award for African Wildlife depicted in it’s habitat at the 2019 TWASI exhibition.

I have won a few awards from Dartmoor Zoo for wildlife in action, local art societies and was commended in the BBC Wildlife Artist of the year award a few years ago.  I am a member of the Fareham Art Society and a coordinator of the Southern Nature Art Exhibition. www.southernnatureart.com

I show my work at exhibitions and I am happy to take on commissions.