Ian MacLaury

"A skilled painter of primates, Ian has been accepting the challenge of all things wild. He is working on educational materials and a book on the local endangered Piping Plover. A gift to have someone of his charisma involved in our projects."

Ian MacLaury, as Resident Artist

Artist Ian MacLaury was born in Virginia in 1952 but grew up in the New York City area, where he received his artistic training at the Art Student's League of New York. His finely crafted images proved popular for both gallery and commercial work, and his illustrations have appeared in books, magazines, and newspapers internationally, as well as on other products. Additionally, he has designed and illustrated more than 500 postage stamps for 17 different countries. Today he works mainly in acrylics, with animals, often portrayed in natural or whimsically imaginist settings, as his prefered subjects. His paintings are sought after both for their attention to detail and their gentle humor, and are found in private and corporate collections throughout the world.

Ian MacLaury, In Memory- 1952-2009

Ian Geoffrey Robin MacLaury, an artist and illustrator of great whimsy, and prolific philatelist, had his final closing in the morning of Monday, July 6, 2009, at the Westerly Hospital, surrounded by family, dear friends, and life companion, Kathleen Harkins. His struggle with cancer was conducted with great courage and stoicism, greater, perhaps, than loved ones may have wished. Born on Jan. 6, 1952, in Charlottesville, Va., Ian grew up in Manhattan, attended some of the best preparatory schools on the East Coast, and cemented his calling at the Art Student's League of New York. A member of MENSA, the Salamagundi Club of New York, Westerly Artist's Cooperative, and the Association of Marine Artists; he was also listed in the New York Social Register. His vast body of work included the design and illustration of more than 500 postage stamps for 17 different countries, as well as hundreds of paintings, marked by exhaustive research and painstaking detail. Ian's art has appeared internationally, in galleries, books, magazines, and newspapers. His recent works centered around his eccentric humor and delight in puns. Gorillas, tropical fish, and Barbie dolls were highly recognizable at art shows from Maine to Florida, including the annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival. Ian was much loved and admired for his prodigious talent, uncommon intellect, and quirky humor. Blending easily in all crowds, whether wearing paint splattered shorts, seersucker or a tuxedo, he found the words to engage any individual into detailed, knowledgeable conversation. He is survived by his mother, Daphne Riley, of Santa Fe, N.M.; his sister, Timothea Sampson, her husband, David, and children, Travis Comstedt, Ben and Jeremy Sampson; his sister, Celia Strebendt, and her family Chuck, Nicolas, Christoher and Robert Strebendt. Ian also leaves behind his life's love, Kathleen Harkins, and a myriad of friends encompassing artists, sailors, and admirers from all elements of society.

Ian had been working with me for the passed 6 months on building a marketing strategy for his work, which included some nature-educational materials, planning for two books, and grantwork in preparation for a Seagrant poster project. He was just beginning to look at technology as a way to expose his work in a new way. Publishing became a possibility to him after a local illustrator published his own book in Connecticut. I have enjoyed his talent, his intellect, his spontaneity... and his hard-headedness in keeping his work pure, and as his greatest love at the expense of his livelihood. He has been extremely inspirational for me. We will all miss him a great deal.

In His Honor...

Wild Animal Publishing is working with the Artist' Cooperative of Westerly and members of his family to create a Foundation or Grant in Ian's name to support the promotion of nature education through art. We will be having a gathering and showing of his work in October in downtown Westerly RI, where the honorary venture will be unveiled. Check back here for more information and a definite date. For more information about the Artists' Cooperative, with which he was actively involved for a long time, please visit their site below.