Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Byron Birdsall, renowned and prolific watercolor artist, dies at 78

Byron Birdsall, one of Alaska's most renowned watercolorists, died Sunday at his home on Whidbey Island at age 78. His wife, Billie, said the cause of death was heart failure.

Birdsall was known for his watercolors depicting Alaska scenes, including panoramic landscapes.

His output was prolific during his 50 years as a professional painter. Tennys Owens, owner of Artique Ltd., and Birdsall's exclusive representative for 30 years, said the number of paintings he produced in that time was somewhere in the thousands. He embraced prints early on, making his works affordable, accessible and ubiquitous throughout the city.

"He was so in love with what he did, and he did it so well," Owens said in a phone interview Monday. "It was just so joyful to him."
https://www.adn.com/arts/2016/12/05/famed-alaska-artist-byron-birdsall-dead-at-78/


Some samples of his art HERE.

I met Byron a few times, he seemed like a nice gentleman. His artwork is prolific around the state in offices, homes and businesses.

I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

Back in the olden days I worked at Continental Motor Company on the Old Seward Hwy. That was 1975-1980. The owners "Peter Adolph and "Bonny" Martensen" were the owners and the only other employees. It grew to be the Volvo-Subaru dealership. When I moved outside they gave me a Bryon Birdsall water color. We still have it and it is in a prominent place in our home.

I didn't know him well, but he used to come to our Ducks Unlimited Event, and offered to donate art. Very generous man.

I've always liked his work... included several of his prints in the "percent for art" collection we hung in the new school when it was built.

I like his paintings. Don't think I've seen one that I didnt

I'm looking at a beautifully matted and framed, limited edition, Birdsall print of Cook Inlet, hanging on the wall. My brother, a resident of Anchorage who has since passed, gifted it to me.

I've always been aware of his notoriety, but maybe now would be a good time to delve more into it.