Interview with artist Bryan Barnes- posted 1.29.08 @ 5:30pm

By Geoff Bough

Often times we seek out art and when art seeks us out, we're usually amazed at what is brought to our attention. Such is with the incredible artwork of San Diego artist Bryan Barnes whose artwork and imagery find beauty in the darkness.

We spoke with Bryan about his art and how he got started:

Rev: Hello Bryan, When did you first start really getting into art and when did you start to develop your more signature style?

Bryan: I’ve been drawing since I was about four years old. When I was younger I was really into skateboarding and would illustrate the decks and shirts I had. My grandmother who is a painter was a big influence on me as well. I would always draw when I would stay with her. I started to develop my more signature style though, probably sometime in college. Everything just seemed to come together.

Rev: Did you study photography or was that an art that naturally found you?

Bryan: I had always been so into illustration, that it wasn’t into college that I took a deeper appreciation and interest photography. As with the pencil illustrations, I was really drawn into black and white photography. It seemed to capture such timeless images

Rev: With your fondness for being behind the lens, is film something that you'd like to venture into? Do you think your style would transfer well to that medium?

Bryan : I think my style would fit pretty well into film. It’s actually pretty hard for me to watch movies without art directing them. I’m pretty locked into my photography and illustration right now, but who knows, perhaps I’ll get into film one day. But then again, I watch the classic Nosferatu and even a more contemporary film like 30 Days of Night and that makes me want to get into Hollywood.

Rev: Your work portrays the darker, more macabre aspects of life and art. Is there anything in particular that you are trying to invoke from your audience?

Bryan: I always want to push the limit and present the viewer with art that is sincere and real. Of course my imagery shifts dark as I think it is nearly impossible for me to conceive anything artistically that would be considered pop and trendy

Rev: Where did you study art?

Bryan: I originally got a basketball scholarship to Cal State San Bernardino, but after only a year, l left the team and sports forever. I wanted to focus solely on art and my studies. That is where I got a degree in Graphic Design. I always had to focus on sports up until that point. After I left the team, I was ecstatic to finally dedicate all my time and energy into art. I’ve never looked back.

Rev: Throughout your life and work, who has been the most influential person?

Bryan: I guess it would be my friends and family who have always supported what I do and me. It would be hard to name just one person. I would need to give respect to the ones that are closest to me.

Rev: Your work has been shown in many art galleries, is there a showing that you are most particularly proud of? What about a piece of your work that you are most proud of?

Bryan: I enjoy all the exhibitions that I’m a part of. It’s been an honor to be able to show my work with some of my idols. I want to continue to show heavily, but of course still focus on new photography and illustration.

The piece I’m most proud is a graphite piece titled ‘Mother’. That piece was the groundwork for all of my art and style to come. It just has an eerie macabre vibe that set the tone for all future works. Another one that I really dig is a new piece called ‘The Devil of Ed Gein Wears Prada’. It’s a pretty popular piece right now. What I like about it most is that it is not just a gore piece. It was a strategic commentary against the fashion industry and media. It’s sad that attention can be given to things with no depth behind it all. Such is life, I suppose.

Rev: How do ideas for your work strike you? Do they just tend to come out of no where or are they more processed?

Bryan: All works are well thought out and planned out before I begin any work on them. I have a clear focus and direction on what I want to communicate and how I want to execute them. My mind is constantly moving a thousand miles per hour and I just hope to capture the ideas all down on paper.

Rev: Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what's tunes are rockin recently?

Bryan: There is never a time that music is not playing in my house. There is a San Diego band called Cattle Decapitation that I dig a lot. Pig Destroyer, Dying Fetus, Slayer, Jesu, Hum and Alkaline Trio are pretty cool. And of course, a thousand other guitar driven bands as well.

Rev: What are some of your favorite films? Have any films impacted or inspired your work?

Bryan: I tend to only watch horror films. 30 Days of Night, Devil’s Rejects, Amityville Horror, Nosferatu, Freaks, 13 Ghosts, The Grudge, Event Horizon and Dawn of the Dead are all favorites of mine. I was highly influenced by the suicide girl character in 13 Ghosts. I really liked the combination of mixing a gorgeously traumatic girl with a sweet innocent morbid approach. And the entire cast from Devil’s Rejects was simply amazing.

Rev: If you could design artwork for any musicians next release, who would you like to work with?

Bryan: I’m really into death metal, grind core and really just metal in general. Of course to work on a Slayer record would be pretty cool just for the simple fact that Reign in Blood brought me into the metal genre and that is my favorite record of all time.

Rev: What is the best compliment or acknowledgement you have received from a fan?

Bryan: Really the best compliments to me are the people that just pick up on the vibe I’m going for in my work. I’ve heard a lot of flattering compliments and I’m glad that people dig my style. Each year I want to top the previous years work and continue pushing myself. I’m thankful for all the support I’ve had.

Rev: What does the future hold for Bryan Barnes?

Bryan: Hopefully a martini with a sexy tattooed girl

For more infor. and artwork from Bryan Barnes, please check out:

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