About Mike Barker
Mike’s work reflects his ecological background and draws on impressionist and modern artistic influences. Mike is currently working on a series of fen wetland scenes and the iconic 'twisted pine' landscapes of the brecks. They include memorable observations of birds, dragonflies and other fauna spotted on the way. He has also been trying to capture the seasonal changes in the flora from the early first red waterlily leaves to the late summer meadowsweet and arrowhead flowering.
Mike has also captured a range of pen and ink sketches of Swaffham Prior’s two towers and other local scenes. Recently, he has also been exploring the stripped back simplicity of pen and ink portraiture in art for grown ups, these are featured in ‘The Bathing Towel Series’.
“Painting the Brecks and Fens when I can.
HK is still home”.
What inspires Mike
Mike’s upbringing in the Far East shines through in the monochrome watercolours, ink and search for simple, single stroke painting of his mini-watercolours of birds, his iconic twisted pines and particularly his swifts and cranes distilled to their core essence.
Exhibiting at the VK Gallery
Mike’s winter fenscape scenes and wildlife paintings in oils and watercolours are now being exhibited in the VK Gallery in St Ives as part of their Winter Exhibition. Opening on the 1st November and running until January 2023.