Barry Whitehouse: The Mindful Art Teacher

Barry has been immersed in art since a very young age, going on to having his first exhibition at the age of fourteen, and his first one man show at the age of seventeen.

His childhood wasn't plain sailing, and Barry sought solace in the countryside and woodlands near his home. The annual family holiday in a converted watermill high up in the Welsh mountains gave Barry a strong fondness to the moss covered woodlands, and rocky waterfalls that feature heavily in his work. When painting trees and imposing mountainous views, Barry is recreating that magical yet awe inspiring comforting feeling that he felt as a child, exploring the hidden landscapes of Wales and near his home town. Although he can turn his hand to most subjects, and as an art tutor for twenty fiveyears, believes in giving his students a broad skill set of techniques over a wide variation of media, styles, and subject matter; Barry always returns to dramatic paintings of woodlands, water, and mountains for his personal work. As lead artist of the Banbury Artists' Cooperative which he set up in the summer of 2017, and organizer of the annual Banbury ArtFest, Barry firmly believes in making art accessible to all, and for artists to be given a regular platform and space to sell their work so they can succeed. Barry's work is currently on display at his studio at The Artery, in Banbury.

Over the years, Barry's teaching practice has taken a more mindful approach, with students saying how much they find peace and escape in his lessons. While Barry has successfully completed an Art Therapy course with distinction in 2021, and  undertook a Mindfulness Teacher Training course, his lessons remain a haven for all to escape busy minds and busy lives, and focus for two hours on themeselves and their creativity.

He has also developed a chatty approach to teaching, where through general chatter students are at ease and lose the fear of painting. In fact many are surprised how they have mastered even complicated subjects!

Barry's own battles with depression and anxiety in his 20s and 30s, has meant that through years of finding out how to calm his overthinking, he understands how much of an important role creativity plays in helping. he also has a great empathy for any students who may also suffer from anxiety and find it difficult to attend classes.