About
Pearl Barry
Born in Seattle, WA
Lives & works in Ōtepoti Dunedin, Aotearoa NZ
I am a wildlife ecologist, science communicator, and illustrator with experience representing animals and plants accurately from life and from photographs.
I have over nine years of work and education experience in natural resource management and four years of community engagement and outreach with a nature-based focus. I am passionate about protecting natural spaces, educating the public, and combining art and science in beautiful and interesting ways.
I have studied methods in watercolor and colored pencil for botanical and animal illustration. My mediums include watercolor, colored pencil, charcoal, graphite, acrylic paint, and digital painting (No AI). Freelance projects I have done include community murals, animal portraits, and fantasy illustrations.
Education
2023 – 2025 Master's Degree of Science in Ecology with Distinction, University of Otago
2015 – 2018 Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science + Honours, Western Washington University
2012 – 2014 Associate’s Degree of Arts and Science, Whatcom Community College
2020 – 2021 Gage Academy of Art
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Painting the Natural World - Kathleen McKeehen
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Portrait Painting in Oil - Aron Hart
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Portrait Drawing - Nicholas Enevoldsen
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Figure Structure Drawing - Geoff Flack
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Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil - Crystal Shin
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Introduction to Oil Paint - Michael Friel
Work
2024 – Present Environmental Educator at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Dunedin, NZ
2023 Botanical Technician: Coastal Sand Dune Restoration for the University of Otago, Rakiura/Stewart Island, NZ
2022 Avian Field Technician: Backcountry Songbird Point Counts for the Institute for Bird Populations, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA
2021 Avian Field Technician: American Goshawk for the Institute for Bird Populations, Stanislaus National Forest, CA
2021 Science Technician: Forage Fish and Kelp for the Vashon Nature Centre, Vashon Island, WA
2018 Habitat Steward and Farmer for the Vashon Maury Island Land Trust, Vashon Island, WA
2012 Youth Zoo Guide and Camp Assistant for the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma, WA
Grants & Awards
2023 - Kitty Southern Student Research Grant
2023 - Leslie Hutchins Research Award
2013 - National Audubon Society Student Grant
Public Work
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4m² Chorus utility cabinet with a design celebrating the ecological restoration of Half Mile Reserve in Alexandra, NZ, featuring a McCann’s skink and NZ jasmine.
2020 - Artists at Work Quilt Mural
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82cm2 painted wood panel. Part of a larger 45 piece community artist collage.