Richard Barry started his formal education in the mid 1970's at Plymouth School of Art in the UK, where he was taught by Alexander Mackenzie, a leading member of the 'St Ives' group. He subsequently attended Stoke-on-Trent School of Art, gained a degree and then moved to London, working in illustration for major clients such as 'Saatchi and Saatchi' and 'J Walter Thompson'. At the end of the 1990's he returned to fine art and has since been producing personal imagery, together with numerous commissioned portraits. His studio and home is a converted chapel in Cornwall.