Thomas Barbèy grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, across the street from the “Caran D'ache” factory, the largest manufacturer of art supplies. He started drawing seriously at the age of 13, using black “encre de Chine” and gouaches for color. His influences were Philippe Druillet, Roger Dean and H.R. Giger. After living in Geneva for 17 years and designing posters for musical bands, he decided to move to Italy, where he lived in Milan for 15 years making a living as a successful recording artist, lyricist and fashion photographer.

White whales and their trainers present a show for visitors at Harbin Pole Aquarium on January 7, 2014 in Harbin, China. Aquarium is one of the tourist highlights of Harbin, attract domestic and foreign tourists visit each year. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

A house and garden is illuminated ahead of Christmas in Olching near Munich December 11, 2014. The house is decorated with more than 30,000 lights. Every year hundreds of houses across Germany are decorated by their owners with lights ahead of Christmas. (Photo by Michaela Rehle/Reuters)

Pakistani students look out from a vehicle on their way to school near the Army Public School which was targeted by Taliban militants last year, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, January 12, 2015. (Photo by B.K. Bangash/AP Photo)

A participant competes in the “Nostalgic Ski Race” in the western town of Neuastenberg February 8, 2015. The “Nostalgic Ski Race” is held every two years with about 40 participants and is organized by the ski club of Neuastenberg, a town which was founded in 1713. The conditions for the participation in the race are vintage skis and dresses. (Photo by Ina Fassbender/Reuters)

Aerial view of flower fields near the Keukenhof park, also known as the Garden of Europe, in Lisse April 9, 2014. Keukenhof, employing some 30 gardeners, is considered to be the world's largest flower garden displaying millions of flowers every year. (Photo by Yves Herman/Reuters)

“One in Eight Hundred” by Mario Wezel, from Germany, is the winner of the “People” category. The title refers to the odds given to Martin and Karina at their prenatal screening before their daughter, Emmy, was born. The five-year-old from Denmark has Down's Syndrome. (Photo by Mario Wezel/Sony World Photography Awards)

With six-inch fangs and weighing in at 600lb, Saber and Janda are no ­ordinary house cats. Yet these huge Bengal tigers live in Janice Haley’s suburban garden and are treated like ordinary pets. They are fed by hand, get strokes and cuddles, and white male Saber goes to sleep sucking on her finger. Janice’s life changed 20 years ago when she spotted an advert for a tiger training course in her local paper – and two years later arrived home with her first cub. Then in 2002 she bought Janda, who is now 12. Photo: The pair are best of friends. (Photo by Ruaridh Connellan/Barcroft Media)