Barb Tyson

Biography

Barbara Tyson

Fine Artist

Born, Sydney Australia.

A graduate student of the world-renowned East Sydney Art School, Barbara Tyson studied art specialising in life drawing, anatomy, mixed medium and watercolours before going on to graduate in Graphic Design. Barbara

began work as an artist illustrator and her talents were quickly noticed and whilst still in her twenties was

appointed Artistic/graphic designer for a stable of Australia’s most prestigious magazines.

Barbara then traveled and painted throughout Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom and completed a multitude of watercolour works borrowing techniques and being
influenced by a number of artists, but in particular Turner and Monet. In 1981 Barbara’s newly inspired works won first prize at two art exhibitions in Whittlesea and her life as an artist began.

Further studies with renowned water colourist Alvaro Castagnet gave her newfound freedom of expression and boldness. This led to studying the textures and depths of oils where she embraced portraiture and still life,

emphasizing the play of light. Barbara continued her studies with many artists including creative painting with David Hill and portraiture with Archibald Prize winner, Reg Cambell at the Mitchell School of Creative Arts at Charles Sturt University. Capturing the essence of a person was one of her most satisfying achievements. Barbara says, "Seeing your subject emerge from the painting is amazing. A point arrives when touching the canvass is like touching their soul."

When Barbara met Italian artist Roberto Coppa he had the most significant impact on her art. He took her skills to a new level. This embraced styles from the old masters, impressionism, realism, abstractionism and their associated techniques. Painting became a reflection of her own life experiences and Barbara no longer painted from her head but from her heart!


Barbara has captured the essence of people in many portraits, entering the Doug Moran and Archibald, and receiving many commissions over the years.

Barbara’s 2011 Archibald entry, a portrait of the Governor General of Australia, Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, received excellent reviews from Australia’s press acclaiming her style and technique.

In 2012 Barbara won the Salon des Refuses in N.S.W. with her portrait of Ita Buttrose where she painted over original 1974 Cleo magazines which both Ita (Editor) and Barbara (artist) worked together 38 years prior.

The Victorian Salon des Refuses in 2013 exhibited Barbara's Portrait of Dr. Helen Caldicott in the South Wharf Hilton, Melbourne.

One of her many achievements was winning the ANL Maritime Art Awards 2016

Barbara has regular, highly successful exhibitions within Australia and her paintings have found appeal with many collectors and can be found hanging in England, France, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Australia.