Book illustrator specialising in depicting the natural world
“Old school but definitely very cool!” is a comment recently made about the artwork of Brian Barfoot. Poles apart from AI, Brian’s captivating and detailed hand-drawn illustrations have been displayed in publications and on merchandise worldwide.
“Judge a book by its cover. That’s why they have them.”
London publisher, who wishes to remain anonymous
“A house without books is like a room without windows.”
Horace Mann
Scholarships in fine art and graphic design, and a strong interest of both natural history and literature cumulated in a passion for creating zoological art primarily for publication. Brian’s own non-fiction book, containing 80 wildlife illustrations, Barfoot’s Bestiary – drawing the birds and the beasts was borne out of his 37 year friendship with the renowned Hitchcock film actress Tippi Hedren. The book was published specifically to raise funds for the Shambala Preserve, Tippi’s private big cat sanctuary.
“A book lying idle on a shelf is wasted ammunition.”
Henry Miller
A manifold collection of magazines and merchandise have featured Brian’s artwork. But he is especially proud that Roger Caras, author and 14th president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, choose him to illustrate the ASPCA’s calendar and, subsequently, to headline the organisation’s online donation campaign.
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”
Jorge Luis Borges
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The Daphne du Maurier Literary Estate has graciously given Brian consent to create a series of drawings to illustrate the suspenseful and chilling novella The Birds. Du Maurier’s story, set in post Second World War rural England, is vastly different from the glossy Alfred Hitchcock film which it inspired. So, Brian has created his illustrations in monochrome pencil and ink to evoke the mood of the original narrative’s late 1940s setting. You are recommended to read du Maurier’s The Birds, but take heed when reading as the world currently contains around 85 billion birds. (Reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Ltd, London, on behalf of The Chichester Partnership. Copyright © 1938 The Chichester Partnership.)
