For the past six years, Barry Treu has dedicated his artistic efforts to painting animals and landscapes, with a growing specialty in pet portraits. Those interested in a pet portrait are encouraged to contact him via email at barry.treu@att.net. During the beginning of the pandemic shutdown in March 2020, Treu began his Threatened and Endangered bird portrait series. By focusing on the individuality of each bird through close-up portraits, he aimed to engage viewers on a more personal level. Each bird depicted in the series is from the 2020 list of threatened and endangered birds in Illinois.
The canvas on board and smooth cotton paper prints are priced at $11.50 each, with $5.00 of the profit being donated to the Audubon Society. The canvas on board print comes ready to hang with 3M command strips, while the smooth cotton paper print will require framing or mounting. Treu notes that Michaels offers pre-matted frames with 8-inch square openings for those interested in displaying the prints. The framed canvas print, which does not require glass, is matted and ready to hang, with $13.36 of the profit going to the Audubon Society, including $6.00.
By ordering multiple prints, customers can contribute even more to the Audubon Society while creating a visually appealing display in their homes or offices. Treu encourages those interested in supporting conservation efforts and adding unique artwork to their decor to consider purchasing prints from his Threatened and Endangered bird series.