For over 20 years, board-certified plastic surgeon and NYPSG partner, Dr. Barry K. Douglas, has produced original artwork for the cover of the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons (NESPS) regional conference journal. Each illustration is designed to highlight the annual conference’s host city. This year, the 41st Annual Meeting will be held from September 12 through September 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For the 2024 cover, Dr. Douglas chose to portray a botanical garden using acrylic paints. Taking inspiration from his own garden, he scattered hydrangeas and bee balms throughout the grass. He then brought additional depth to the piece by formulating specific blends of color. For instance, the water, which consists of three different hues of blue, was then mixed with white to create a sense of vibrance. “All of the colors were blended so carefully,” said Dr. Douglas. “There is also a complexity of paint application. If you zoom in closely, it almost appears as abstract art.”
Dr. Douglas majored in both Studio Art and Physics at Trinity College before continuing on to receive his medical degree from Wake Forest University. He utilizes his artistic background alongside his surgical expertise to help transform the lives of both cosmetic and reconstructive patients.