Artist Profile: Halsey Berryman

Halsey Berryman is a multidisciplinary illustrator and lettering artist from Washington, DC. Her studio practice often revolves around the topics of social justice and wildlife, and how these subjects can be combined to create compelling narratives while highlighting the importance of nature and biodiversity.

Halsey Berryman

Takoma Park, MD (Just outside of Washington, DC)

Favorite bird?

Pigeon

I really like to use a formalist lens to draw attention to the beautify in our natural world! I have a big attachment to bright, saturated colors and I often use them to exaggerate and exalt even the most maligned animals. I also like to inject a sense of humor in my work.

How has nature been a source of inspiration for you?

As a 90’s kid, I was absolutely obsessed with Zoobooks and Animal Planet—I would spend hours drawing all the animals in the magazines and always looked to nature as my inspiration. I love learning about animals and incorporate bits of research in my work, so with ever new illustration I learn something.

Tell us about your most memorable bird experience.

I was walking along the Shenandoah River last year in Luray, VA and I saw several Great Blue Herons and a black-crowned Night Heron! They were so beautiful and it was powerful to see them up close.