BARRY RAFUSE

I was born in New Westminster, BC and spent my growing up years in Maple Ridge. As a teenager, I became interested in drawing and painting, particularly trees. I continued “hobby painting” well into adult life. After a thirty-five year career in the judicial system and after raising a family, I decided to become a serious and professional artist.

I have taken numerous painting courses and have had my work accepted into many juried exhibitions. I first painted traditional landscapes and seascapes using watercolor or acrylic paint on paper. I soon found myself experimenting with mixed media, collage and texturing materials.

No surprise, I discovered abstract forms and this led to my love for painting colorful, textured abstracts on large canvases. I have been influenced by the works of Richard Diebenkorn, Brian Rutenberg and Franz Kline.

Rarely do I commence a painting with preconceived ideas or a predictable outcome. I like the challenge of working with the unknown and capitalizing on “happy accidents” when the paint and textures interact. The exploration time takes hours, days or even weeks. In the end, a painting which satisfies me, will have evolved. I strive to keep the painting loose and bold. If I spend too much time on the painting, it will invariably become too structured or too detailed and I will have to start over. I do not want a painting to look pretty or recognizable – I want the image to be dramatic and mysterious.

I am a signature member (SFCA) of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a signature member (CSA) of the Society of Canadian Artists. I teach mixed media courses, jury shows and continue to exhibit work in galleries and juried exhibitions.

Painting has become part of my life. It keeps me grounded.

 

Barry Rafuse, SFCA, CSA - Curriculum Vitae

JURIED EXHIBITIONS

2023
  • FCA Abstraction Exhibition Vancouver, BC
  • FCA 2023 Signature Exhibition Vancouver, BC
  • FCA Online Exhibition Vancouver, BC
  • SCA International Online Exhibition Toronto, ON
  • Two Artist Exhibition - Osoyoos Art Gallery Osoyoos, BC
  • OASIS Exhibition Peachland, BC
2022
  • FCA Signature Medal Exhibition – Vancouver, BC
  • COFCA Juried Exhibition – Peachland, BC
  • SCA Open International Online Exhibition – Toronto, ON
  • FCA Online Juried Exhibition IV – Vancouver, BC
  • COFCA Online Juried Exhibition – Kelowna, BC
2021
  • FCA Signature Medal Exhibition – Vancouver, BC
2020
  • FCA Signature Medal Exhibition – Vancouver, BC
2019
  • FCA Signature Medal Exhibition – Vancouver, BC
2017
  • Vancouver FCA Signature Exhibition – Vancouver, BC
2016
  • Vancouver FCA Signature Exhibition – Vancouver, BC
  • Blue Trails Exhibition at Salmon Arm Art Gallery, Salmon Arm, BC
2014
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II – Vancouver, BC
  • Dark Nights Exhibition at Salmon Arm Art Gallery, Salmon Arm, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists – TNSC – Kamloops, BC
2013
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition III – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I – Kamloops, BC
2012
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists – TNSC – Kamloops, BC
2011
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition III – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition IV – Vancouver, BC
  • FCA Three Chapters Juried Exhibition Show – Penticton, BC
2010
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition – Kelowna, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition – Vernon, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition – Kamloops, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I – Vancouver, BC
2009
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition III – Vancouver BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition – Kamloops, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I – Vancouver, BC
2008
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II – Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I - Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition – Kamloops, BC
2007
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition III - Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II - Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition I - Vancouver, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition II - Vernon, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists - Juried Exhibition I - Vernon, BC
2006
  • North Okanagan Juried Exhibition - Vernon, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists - Juried Exhibition - Salmon Arm, BC
  • Federation of Canadian Artists - Abstract Show - Vancouver, BC
2000-2005
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition - Armstrong Gallery - 2005
  • North Okanagan Juried Exhibition - Vernon Gallery - 2004
  • North Okanagan Juried Exhibition - Vernon Gallery - 2003
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Exhibition - Vernon Gallery - 2002
  • North Okanagan Juried Exhibition - Vernon Gallery – 2002
  • BC Festival of the Arts - Surrey, BC - 2002
  • North Thompson-Okanagan Open Juried Exhibition - Peachland, BC - 2002
  • North Okanagan Juried Exhibition - Vernon Gallery - 2001
  • Spirit of the Monashee - Vernon Gallery - 2000
  • North Okanagan Juried Exhibition - Vernon Gallery - 2000
1989-1999
  • North Okanagan Juried Exhibition - Vernon Gallery - 1999
  • Art of the Garden - Prince George Art Gallery - 1998
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1997
  • Christmas Story - Prince George Art Gallery - 1997
  • Violence Against Women - Prince George Art Gallery - 1997
  • Art tour of Northern BC (Three paintings selected) – 1996
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1995
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1994
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1993
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1992
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1991
  • Forestry Exhibition - Prince George Art Gallery - 1991
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1990
  • Festival of the Arts – BC Provincial Show - 1989

EXHIBITIONS

  • Solo show - ArteFunctional Gallery - Kelowna -2017
  • Four-man show – Armstrong Gallery - 2010
  • Solo show - Salmon Arm Gallery - 2007
  • Solo show - Vernon Art Gallery - 2002
  • Solo show - Vernon Public Library - 1999
  • Solo show - Vernon Bean Scene Coffee House - 1999
  • Solo show - Prince George Art Gallery - 1994
  • Solo show - Williams Lake Art Gallery - 1992
  • Solo show - Prince George Art Gallery - 1990

AWARDS RECEIVED

  • OASIS Exhibition Peachland - 2nd Prize - 2023
  • FCA Vancouver Signature Exhibition - Award of Excellence - 2018
  • LightSpaceTime.art Abstract Art Competition - First Place - 2018
  • Honourable mention FCA South Okanagan chapter show - 2017
  • LightSpaceTime.art Abstract Art Competition - Honorable Mention - 2016
  • Senior member of Federation of Canadian Artists (SFCA) – 2014
  • Gold Medal - FCA Exhibition, Spilsbury Medal Show - Vancouver - 2013
  • Award of Excellence – FCA Exhibition – Kamloops, 2013
  • First prize – Blossom Show – FCA Exhibition - Vancouver - 2012
  • Third prize – 7th Anniversary FCA show - Vancouver - 2011
  • Gold Certificate – FCA Three Chapters Triptych Exhibition - Penticton – 2011
  • Associate Federation of Canadian Artists (AFCA) – 2010
  • Silver Medal – Kamloops FCA Show – 2010
  • First Prize – Blossoms Exhibition - Vancouver - 2010
  • Robert Coulter Award (First Prize) – Vancouver FCA Show – 2009
  • Bronze Medal – Kamloops FCA Show - 2009
  • Commissioned to paint 10’ x 10’ wall hanging – Vernon Performing Arts Center – 2007
  • Juror Awards in numerous FCA shows (Armstrong, Salmon Arm, Vernon) - 2004 through 2007
  • Juried artist to represent Okanagan artisans - fund raiser for Big Brothers/Sisters - 2004
  • Painting selected for book cover - Living In Harmony With Winter - 1999
  • One of four artists invited to paint for CKPG year 2000 Winter Art Collection - 1997
  • Won first place and $5000 - Interior Images Art Competition – 1994
  • Invited to paint large wall hanging for the University of Northern BC - 1994

COLLECTIONS

  • Performing Arts Center – Vernon, BC
  • University of Northern British Columbia - Prince George, BC
  • Two Rivers Art Gallery - Prince George, BC
  • Prince George Credit Union – Prince George, BC
  • Business Development Bank of Canada - Prince George, BC
  • CKPG Radio Station - Prince George, BC
  • Private Collections - Canada and abroad

EDUCATION

Largely self-taught. Has taken courses/workshops from:
Anne Meredith Barry
Ed Epp
Lionel Venn
Heather Speers
Richard Reed
Alessandra Betteli
Dorothy Hook
David Langevin
Emily Carr College
Mike Svob
Brian Atyeo
Randall Sexton
Janice Mason Steeves
Jean Peterson

TEACHING

Taught mixed media courses at:
  • Artist Guild - Blind Bay, BC
  • FCA workshops - Vancouver, BC
  • FCA workshop - Salmon Arm, BC
  • Dean Croft Studio - North Vancouver, BC
  • Nanaimo FCA chapter – Nanaimo, BC
  • Sorrento Arts Center – Sorrento, BC
  • FCA Class – Kelowna, BC
  • Vernon Arts Centre - Vernon, BC
  • Sicamous Art Centre – Sicamous, BC
  • Enderby Art Centre – Enderby, BC
  • Studio 2880 - Prince George, BC
  • Artist Co-op - Prince George, BC
  • College of New Caledonia - Vanderhoof, BC
  • College of New Caledonia - Burns Lake, BC

REPRESENTED BY