Interpretive Style Paintings

I invented the interpretive style of painting a number of years ago to describe more closely the magical elements of the Pacific west coast. Working with the abstracts of color and shape, the paintings develop into an interesting blend of puzzle like pieces on close examination, while maintaining a recognizable form overall.

Original acrylic paintings on gallery wrapped canvas $ as marked
Giclée prints on gallery wrapped canvas (enhanced with acrylic)
28x38”= $490,  16x20"= $255 

Original acrylic on canvas paintings are made with the best artist grade, light fast pigments available and can be hung in brightly lit areas. The painting extends over to finish the edges so framing is optional. My 30 x 40" originals weigh a mere 2 1/2lb (less than a cup of coffee) so hanging is simple and easy using conventional picture hooks. Because part of the image is on the edge, the face dimensions are reduced. 30x40” = 28x38” and 18x22” = 16x20”

Acrylic giclée prints on canvas look very similar to original paintings and are the best type of reproductions available today. I finish each print with artist-grade acrylic and a special mirrored edge treatment that simulates the painted edge of the original. They are ready to hang as is.

Purchase guarantee: If you are not completely happy with your purchase, I will refund 100% of your sale. 

Sooke Point BC with orcas- painting by Barry Tate

I can make you a custom painting!
just call or email
  

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I can make a custom painting for you in any size, style or colors that you wish.
Craddock Bay, south Pender Island BC- painting by Barry Tate

Craddock Bay,  S. Pender Island
30x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
( prints available)

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Craddock Bay on the southern tip of South Pender Island is a magical beach with views of Mt. Baker. Numerous wildlife frequent this beach including visits by local and transient killer whales (orcas).
Sooke Point BC with orcas- painting by Barry Tate

T’Sou-ke And Orcas, west 
30” x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold
(prints available)  

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This is a painting of Sooke Point with a pod of orcas ( a common sight in this spot). New homes now dot the cliff but years ago only totems told of man's presence as seen in this painting. In respect of these times, I used the ancient spelling for Sooke in the titles. It can be purchased as a diptych set along the matching east view.
Sooke Point BC east side with orca pod, painting by Barry Tate

T’Sou-ke And Orcas, east
30x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
( prints available)

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This is a painting of Sooke Point BC on Vancouver Island. Pods of orcas are common as well as bald eagles and other marine life. Years ago only totems told of man's presence as seen in this painting. In respect of these times, I used the ancient spelling for Sooke in the titles. It can be purchased as a diptych set along the matching west view.
Olympic mountains with a yaught, acrylic painting by Barry Tate

Olympic Cruise 
44” x 24” acrylic on canvas, $ sold
(41”x21” prints available*)  

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Because part of the image is on the edge, the face dimensions of the print are 38" x 20". This commissioned painting was designed for a specific place in a new home. The natural light comming from the left matches the true space which makes the piece seem well at home. The couples beloved yaught was added to reflect many fond memories of cruising the pacific north west
Parksville beach on Vancouver Island- an acrylic west coast painting by Barry Tate

Parksville Sunset
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
( prints available)

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Parksville beach is an all time favorite holiday location for this family! For an extra special birthday surprise for her husband, we creating this piece with them enjoying a sunset walk.
Sidney BC pier with Fish Market, Pier Bistro and EcoCruise boat - painting by Barry Tate

Sidney Pier 
17 x 60” acrylic on canvas, $ sold
(17x60” prints available $895)
(24x84” prints available $1700)

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This famous pier on the waterfront of Sidney BC is a destination for locals and tourists. Whether you are buying a fresh caught slamon from the Fish Market, having a lunch at The Pier Bistro, taking an EcoCruise on the shuttle or just enjoying the view, it is a perfect place to be. I wanted this piece to not just be "another painting of the pier". I chose a dark and rich, post stormy backdrop with a burst of sunlight to highlight the piers best features.
A view from Metchosin (south end of Vancouver island near Victoria), looking south over Whittys Logoon and Williams Head with the Olympic mountains in the distance.

Arbutus and Poppies
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Inspired by a view from a small mountain top in Metchosin (just south of Victoria) this hill top is so very typical of the area around Victoria. and the Gulf Islands. Almost always after a short hike up a steep park trail, you will find a dry and grassy outcropping studded with bolders and framed with a few struggling fir and Arbutus trees. In season, small natural flowers complement the landscape. This scene over looks Whitty's Beach, a small point of land called Williams Head and in the far distance, the Olympic mountains in Washington state.
Fairfax Point at the south end of Moresby Island BC (a small gulf island near Victoria or Sidney BC)

Moresby Island, Fairfax Pt. 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This is one of my wife and I's favorite locations. Only 10 minutes from our home by boat, it is a great place to enjoy a quiet picnic and catch some late afternoon sun. To the left of the red boat, the land narrows to only a hundred feet across to another bay. The small grass covered bank is only about 15' above high tide which almost makes a small island of the hill behind. A very cool place!
Golden orange and blue sunset scene of a beach in East Sooke BC, near Victoria

East Sooke At Sunset 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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The area around East Sooke and Peddar Bay has some of the best scenery on the south end of Vancouver Island BC. A system of relatively easy hiking trails througout East Sooke Park makes for a pleasant walk along the seashore.
Willis Point in the Saanich Inlet, near Butchards Gardens, View Point the Malahat.

Saanich Inlet, Willis Pt. 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This is a view from the Malahat Summit looking towards Brentwood, Willis Point and Mt. Finlayson. The distant waterway leads onto Butcharts Gardens for those venturous enough to visit the gardens by boat. Typical of coastal shores in this area, Arbutus trees dot the landscape along with Douglas fir, cedars and pines.

Makarios And Mt. Baker
17 x 60” acrylic on canvas, $ sold
(prints available $895)

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This original piece was designed to fit in a specific space on board a private yacht. I incorporated the Makarios in the painting.
Picture Lake near the BC Washington State border.

Picture Lake 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Picture Lake is near the border of British Columbia and Washington State. Beautiful scenery like this is what makes the pacific northwest a world class travel destination.
Saxe Point near Esquimalt BC

Saxe Point
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Saxe Point Park in Victoria BC is a wonderful jem located close to the navy base in Esquimalt. A favorite destination for weddings because of it's picturesque setting on the ocean with the Olympic Mountains of Washington state in the distance. There are several short easy to walk trails, a spacious lawn and large smooth rocks and benches to sit on.
This is a colorful interpretive style painting of Neck Point in Nanaimo BC on Vancouver Island.

Neck Point 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Located in Nanaimo BC on Vancouver Island, Neck Point is a great place for a pleasant hike on a sunny afternoon.
This is an acrylic painting of Indian Head (McIntyre Bluff)

Indian Head, McIntyre Bluff 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Located in the heart of the Okanagan between Oliver and Okanagan Falls BC, this famous landmark gets it's title from the very edge of McIntyre Bluff. It is easy to see an Indian's profile looking off into the distant hills. The white granite mountain towers 265 meters above Vaseux Lake. McIntyre Bluff is not only a unique sight to see but is also rich in First Nation history. It is said that the elders of the Shuswap and Okanagan First Nations speak of legends when the bluff was the site of many fierce battles. The bright red flowers in the foreground are "Indian Paintbrush"
Kayaks on the beach near the west end of James Island near Sidney BC

James Island and Kayaks 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This is the western end of James Island near Sidney BC. At the end of the summer, the deciduous trees turn deep gold and red as they prepare for winter. The contrast against the bright blue water is spectacular so it's a favourite kayakers destination.
Great Blue Heron flying over a lily pond

Heron In Flight 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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The Great Blue heron is a magestic bird often seen poised at a river bend or cruising the coastline with slow, deep wingbeats. This stately heron with its subtle blue-gray plumage stands perfectly motionless while hunting, or wades with particular grace amongst slippery rocks. They may move slowly, but herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish, rarely missing their target.
A colorful interpretive style painting of bright red poppies

Poppies In Spring  
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Variety is the spice of life it is said and for me that's definitely true. I've never painted poppies close up before but their intense saturated reds just pop when you see them for real. I Love that and so this painting came to be. To emphasize their colorful blossoms, I placed them over a loose abstract of opposite complementary hues of greens and blues and "backlit" their fuzzy white stems.
This is a colorful underwater painting of turtles swimming amongst tropical fish.

Turtles And Reefs 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $2200  
(prints available)

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Inspired by our snorkeling adventures in Hawaii and Mexico, these graceful creatures seem to defy gravity. In the clear waters where one can often see 50 feet or more, it is amazing to see them floating amongst  the brightly colored corals and fish. I wanted to capture their perspective from a short dip below the surface. I painted the water using a very loose water color effect with light streaming through the blue waters of a breaking wave.
Canada West is a painting of the gulf islands in British Columbia, Canada

Canada West
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This interpretive style painting was done with an earth tone pallet to echo the quiet serenity of a west coast evening. The Arbutus, Canada's only broad leaf evergreen tree only grows on the lower coast of BC and northwestern Washington state.
A painting of an old crab fishing boat and wharf with crab nets

Island Crabber
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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An old crab boat takes a well deserved day off. Modern fast moving aluminum hulled boats have mostly replaced the old wooden boats of the past. But, there is some satisfaction in seeing the experience of  an old timer bring in the largest catch of the day!
Thunderbird totem pole painting by Barry Tate

Thunderbird
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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The thunderbird is one of the most important images on a totem. The original carving was painted chief Mungo Martin.
A dramatic painting of an Alberta wheatpool with dark sky by Barry Tate

Alberta Wheat Pool
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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Alberta Wheat Pool buildings once dotted much of the prairie landscape. This dramatic rendition will add zest to anyone's decor.
Charmer Point on the north end of Coal Island, near the Swartz Bay BC Ferry terminal.

Charmer Point, Coal Island 
16 x 20” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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Coal Island near the BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal is a picture-perfect island. The shore is lined with nimchuck-looking rock formations and caves while golden grasses and trees of all types cover the landscape. This painting was started as a painting demonstration for the Village Gallery. A fun day with an enthusiastic audience in attendance!
The is a very colorful semi abstract painting of a deep oak or maple forest.

Spirit Of The Woods 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Inspired by our park-like forest in the centre of the Island where I live, "magical" is the word that most often comes to mind. Sometimes a light breeze wiggles the leaves creating patterns of abstract sunlight on the forest floor and trees. The area has many trails and though less than 1/2 mile across, the terrain is diverse and inspiring. One of my favorite subjects to paint!
This is a cheerful rainbow colored interpretive style painting of a forest.

Forest Light 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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One of my favorite subjects to paint is a broad leaf forest with the interplay of dancing lights. The best light for most paintings and photographs is usually in the early morning or evening as the long shadows tend to enhance the 3 D of most outdoor scenes. But in the forest, high noon is more often the case. The sun has a chance of shinning through the canopy and with just a little breeze, wonderful patterns of shifting light and colors are sure to happen.
This is a painting of two red kayaks on the beach of a small hidden cove near Sooke BC.

Hidden Cove 
16 x 20” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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One of my favorite subjects to paint is a broad leaf forest with the interplay of dancing lights. The best light for most paintings and photographs is usually in the early morning or evening as the long shadows tend to enhance the 3 D of most outdoor scenes. But in the forest, high noon is more often the case. The sun has a chance of shinning through the canopy and with just a little breeze, wonderful patterns of shifting light and colors are sure to happen.
Arbutus painting with roses in the forground, over looking the gulf islands with Mt Baker in the distance

Arbutus And Roses 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This scene is from Mt Newton looking east towards Mt Baker. Wild roses in the forground add a zest of color.
Cordova Bay from Mt Douglas with Mt Baker in the distance

Cordova Bay 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold  
(prints available)

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Cordova Bay view from Mt Douglas looking east towards Mt Baker
A Great Blue Heron painting with Koi fish.

Heron And Koi 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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A Great Blue Heron is being tempted by some colorful Koi fish.
This is a painting of a magistic Great Blue Heron amonst some bull rushes.

Heron And Reeds 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This painting has wonderful ice blue colors set against rust and olive greens which won't show well on a computer or tablet screen. Stunning in real life!
Pandora is a semi-abstract and colorful painting of the magical inter-connection of plant life.

Pandora 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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One of my favorite movies of all time is Avatar. The visual effects are unmatched with anything I've ever seen. The colorful forest fauna is amazing beautiful and believable. This abstract hints of the strange and inter-connected life on Pandora. It will tease your imagination for many years and like a bouquet of flowers, add color and life to any room.
This is a unique painting of kayaks and a camp tent in the gulf islands.

Kayaks And Camping
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Inspired by a view of campers on the shore of Portland Island near my home, I decided to capture their moment in paint. Kayaking is a beautiful way to enjoy the gulf islands. Being totally quiet and slow most birds, seals and other wildlife feel unthreatened by your presence allowing a close up look at their natural habitat.
A painting of the Gorge Waterway and swans in Victoria B.C.

Gorge And Swans 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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The Gorge waterway is a wonderful place to stroll, especially in the summer and fall. Often swans, geese and other wild birds share the quiet waters along with kayaks and canoes. The water way begins at the Johnson Street bridge down town. One unusual feature is that it is sometimes salty ocean water and sometimes fresh water.

The 7th Hole 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This is a scene from our world famous Royal Victoria Golf Course. Looking across the Jaun de Fuca straight to Olympic mountains in Washington, it is one of the most spectacular views imaginable.
A painting of the flower gardens at Hollyhock on Cortez Island.

Sunlight And Gardens 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Have you ever been to Hollyhock on Cortes Island? Go! It's a wonderful retreat centre located near Campbell River  / Vancouver Island BC. A day or two there is a reality check that will reset your soul! This painting was created from one of their gardens where they grown numerous flowers including of course  Hollyhocks. A variety of home grown vegetables are served daily in their award winning gourmet restaurant.

South Island View 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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This painting is a view from an area near East Sooke park. I thought the hand made park bench made the scene especially inviting. The park has many trails, most leading to or along the waters edge. From there one can see for miles up along the coast or even across to the Olympic peninsula in Washington state USA.

Tug And Reflections 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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Tugs play a major roll on the both coasts from guiding freighters into docks to halling huge log booms and cargo barges. The small Nordic design tug in this painting is a charming sea-worthy but recreational craft popular with a few discriminating boaters.
This is a kayak painting done by Barry Tate using an interpretive style.

Cliffs And Kayaks
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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Two kayaks passing by the gulf islands at sunset. Colors in the sky and water actually do exist like this, especially near the end of summer.
A painting of Butcharts Gardens Victoria BC by Barry Tate

Butcharts Gardens
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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One of the best known gardens in the world is Butcharts Gardens in Victoria BC.  It is open and gorgeous all year around! Even in winter! Sure, Victoria has the mildest climate in all of Canada, but the winters can still get "cold". This of course is my perspective- I was born here. If you come from Winnipeg, Calgary, Yellowknife or thousands of other Canadian cities, Victoria might seem balmy!
A restful painting of a waterfall and deep pond, by Barry Tate

Waterfall In Summer
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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This water garden painting has a wonderful range of color from earth tones to sunny yellows. It will easily complement any decor.
Chain Islands painting with Kayaks (part of the Broken Island group)

Chain Islands And Kayaks 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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The Chain Islands are part of the Broken Island group off the west coast of Vancouver Island BC near Tofino and Long Beach. It is thought to be one of the best places in the world to kayak because of the beautiful and pristine environment. Marine life abounds and black bears can often be spotted on the shoreline. These three chain island prints can be purchased individually or as a set of 2 or 3 to fill a particular space. What is especially cool, is either one of the outside paintings can be interchanged and the image still works! Chain Islands And Kinnikinnicks is always the centre piece that the other two work with.
Chain Island triptych painting by Barry Tate

Chain Islands And Kinnikinnicks 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
* this is the centre piece of a
2 or 3 piece matching set

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The Chain Islands are part of the Broken Island group off the west coast of Vancouver Island BC near Tofino and Long Beach. This is the centre image of a 3 triptych set. The three chain island giclée prints can be purchased individually or as a set of 2 or 3 to fill a particular space. A very unique feature of the set is either one of the outside paintings can be interchanged and the image still works! The bright red Kinnikinnicks are always nice to spot along the sea shore when the season is just right.
A Barry Tate painting of the Chain Islands- part of the Broken Island Group near Tofino BC

Chain Islands And Sailboat 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(prints available)

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The Broken Islands off the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island BC near Tofino and Long Beach is stunning. Beautiful pristine waters with little evidence of mankind makes boating or kayaking very special. You can be out in open waters or paddling for 1/2 an hour between river-like separations between some of the islands and not see another human! The three images can be purchased individually or as a set of 2 or 3 to fill a particular space. What is especially unique, is either one of the outside paintings can be interchanged and the image still works! Chain Islands And Kinnikinnicks is always the centre piece that the other two work with.
Forest In Spring is a colorful watercolor of trees in a unique style, bt artist Barry Tate

Forest In Spring 
18 x 22” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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This painting uses a more subtle color pallet of earth tones in it's composition. Although full of life and magic, the quiet semi-neutrals blends of adobe bricks, golden ochre and Cerulean blues will fit seamlessly into anyones decor.
Waterfall And Sunlight is an interpretive style acrylic painting of a small falls and quiet pool, by Barry Tate

Waterfalls And Sunlight 
18 x 22” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

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Some of my favorite memories as a child growing up in James Bay municipality of Victoria,  were spent with my friends at Beacon Hill park. On weekends a few of us would pack a lunch and hike a couple of miles or more to spend the whole day exploring the trails, checking out the zoo and playing on the swings. Perhaps my most favorite was visiting all the fabulous ponds to feed the ducks and swans and occasional greedy sea gull. To this day the sight of a water garden makes me want to capture it.
This is a colorful and unique painting of a sailboat by Barry Tate

Summer Sails 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

A colorful and unique dark sky painting of the West Coast by Barry Tate

Western Sunset
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

A painting of Butcharts Gardens by Barry Tate

Butcharts Walk
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

Arbutus And Dingy is a west coast painting of a small skiff in a bay with an Arbutus tree

Arbutus And Dingy 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

Friendly Passage is a watercolor painting by Barry Tate

Friendly Passage 
11 x 15” watercolor, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

This is a watercolor painting of a Troller fish boat on the west coast- by Barry Tate

Troller And Summer 
11 x 15” watercolor, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

This is a very colorful tree painting by Barry Tate

Forest And Fauna 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

This is an acrylic painting of a walking path through a forest of colorful Aspen trees.

Aspens In Fall 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

This is a painting of Curious Dolphins, a small gift shop in LaManzanilla Mexico

Curious Dolphins 
16 x 20” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

An underwater acrylic painting of Moon Snails, by Barry Tate

Moonsnails And Bubbles 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

Portage Inlet on the Gorge Waterway, Victoria BC

Portage Inlet
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

A painting of colorful peppers from a market in Montreal Canada

Montreal Peppers
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

A painting of a Grizzly bear by Barry Tate

American Grizzly 
40 x 60” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

Esquimalt Lagoon and Royal Roads painting, by Barry Tate

Esquimqlt Lagoon 
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

Portage Inlet on the Gorge Waterway, Victoria BC

Farm And Reflections
30 x 40” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)

Parrot fish painting by Barry Tate

Ocean Emmys
20 x 30” acrylic on canvas, $ sold 
(16 x 20 prints available)