Geoffrey Barbey

In 1971 Geoffrey Barbey returned to New York City, after attending the Fine Arts program at Colorado State University, to study at the School of Visual Arts. During that period, traditional painting seemed to have fallen from favor. There were precious few places where one could study and learn the secrets of light and form. Disillusioned, he embarked on a yearlong painting journey throughout Europe and North Africa.

Returning to the United States, he began a 25-year career in advertising and the commercial film production industry. He was a Producer for major advertising firms in New York and then went on to represent various creative based companies. Clients included commercial film directors and their production companies, digital special effects studios, cell-animation studios, music companies and motion graphic design firms.

“After all those years of helping to guide and facilitate the careers of other creative people, I decided to return to painting and pursue my own creative goals. After all was said and done, I realized that I still looked at the world with a painter’s eye and I could no longer resist following my heart back to painting.” Searching for a classic approach to painting, Geoff began studying at the Arts Students League in New York. There he found a number of instructors who inspired him to continue his painting.

“I attended a demonstration conducted by John Philip Osborne at the Ridgewood Art Institute in New Jersey. Watching him paint, while he spoke about his method and reasoning, completely captivated me and I knew I had found someone who could lead me forward. I enrolled in his class the following week and have been painting almost every day since.”

Geoff lives with his wife and son in the Hudson River Valley Region of New York. He offers oil painting classes in his studio in Dobbs Ferry, New York. His paintings are now held in numerous private collections.