NOT COT
Cool super pale photography by Bryan Barnes. #20760

SF Indie Fashion, February 2009
SF Indie Fashion

Oakland Tribune/Contra Costa Times, January 2009
Art Feature

GoreGirl.Net, January 2009
Artist Feature
www.goregirl.net

I was interviewed with Reviewer Magazine recently at my solo show Noir at Planet Rooth Gallery
in San Diego. In it, I discuss works in the show, while some special model guests stop by.

Reviewer Magazine at Planet Rooth Gallery
San Diego, June 2008

Bizarre Magazine
April 2008
www.bizarremag.com/

Princess Jolene Goes to Hollywood
(Interviewed for S&M Group Art Exhibit at Antebellum Gallery, West Hollywood)
February 2008

Happy S&M, er, Valentine’s Day from artist Bryan Barnes
Friday, February 1st 2008

I was first drawn to the art of Bryan Barnes because it’s so strikingly dark. Being a Princess of Darkness I enjoy art that explores the morbid side of life. Also, I was excited he is exhibiting something in an S&M exhibit for Valentine’s Day. I can’t think of a better place to go on Valentine’s Day. Fuck love! Show me some S&M! Hope you enjoy this question and answer session with Bryan. I look forward to getting a photo with him in person at his exhibit in a couple of weeks. And hopefully all of you in the Hollywood area stop by to see what it’s all about…and to say hello to Bryan and me.

Such dark art in San Diego. How did that happen?
I love the Southern California lifestyle, but yes my art my art may be a little dark for sunny San Diego. That’s ok, there has always got to be one black sheep in the herd, right?

According to your bio, you’re from Southern California. Have you ever lived outside or California?
I’m born and raised in Southern California, dude! I’ve never lived outside of California, although I love road trips to Vegas. Does that even count for anything?!

How did you get involved in the whole art thing? Were you always creative?
I’ve been drawing since I was really young. It’s weird because even from an early age I somehow knew art is what I was going to do in life. I would always enter art shows and be a part of art clubs in school. My family always supported what I did, which I thought was pretty rad. I grew up with more of a painting and illustration background and got more serious into photography sometime in college.

Do you consider your art morbid?
I just create art that interests me. I’m my best and worst critic. I have a clear focus and direction on what I want to communicate and how I want to execute the art. I never go into a piece with the intent for it to be morbid. That is just the end result. It may be nearly impossible for me to create something that is pop though; it just seems to turn to black in the end.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Simply that I create art for me and I’m not influenced by what is ‘popular’ for the moment.

Do you have a favorite place to exhibit or what was your favorite exhibit of yours?
Whatever shows or exhibition I’m a part of it, I’m always very excited and happy to be a part of it. It’s always very cool for people to pick up on the vibe on what I’m going for in my work.

Have you ever suffered from insomnia?
Sometimes I feel there just not enough time to sleep. There are always ten thousand things to do and sometimes I forget that I actually have to dedicate time to sleep. I really need to dedicate an entire series to the concept of insomnia.

Talk about your Hollywood Valentine’s Day exhibit.
Valentines’ Day will mark the opening of S&M: A Comprehensive Exhibit of S&M artwork at the Antebellum Gallery in Hollywood. The amazing Rick Castro runs the Antebellum Gallery. There will be some cool artists there, and I’m happy to be a part of this exhibition. I will have a piece in the exhibit called ‘Cancer of the Larynx.’ Art was never meant to be safe. This show will make porn stars look like Volvo-driving soccer moms.

Do you think I should go to the exhibit and why?
Of course you should go! If you don’t go, I’ll have to do a piece on how upset I was that you didn’t attend. It could be like some kind of avant-garde-art-emo thing. So, um…like you’re going right? Ha!

You are a very tall fellow (6’8”). Are people ever scared of your size?
Some people might be scared of it, but I’m a pretty chill guy. I mean I’m a pretty strong dude, but I’m not going to arm-wrestle someone into a friendship or something.

Any influences to speak of?
I think early on in college different darker artists influenced me, but now I make a conscious effort to distance myself from other artists’ work, as I don’t want my work to be tainted or influenced. Just like anything, the art world can be very trendy and I’d rather not get caught up for which artist or style is ‘hot’ for 15 minutes.

What do you do with your time besides your art?
I’ve taken this new hobby of drinking martinis. Joking! Well, um sort of. I like to stay pretty fit, going to the gym. I donated my television to charity to solely focus on art and not be influenced by mainstream appeal, so when I’m at home I play guitar, write and read. I have a rad cat, so he is there too. Going out with friends is always fun too.

Do you have a lot of people wanting to model? Male or female? Would you like me to model for you?
I have a lot people (male and female) approach me for modeling, but I’m very precise on the direction I want to go. I’ve had some bigger names want to be photographed and work with me. I’m flattered by the attention I get, but to be honest I don’t do art for someone’s personal gain. There is a clear vision on what I want to communicate and express. And yes, I would love for you to model for me!

Your art has the possibility of giving me many nightmares. How am I supposed to deal with these nightmares?
Well, I suppose I can give you like a big 6’8” hug or something? Nightmares can be sexy if you know where to find them. I never really have nightmares, and if I do they are probably just inspiration for a future artwork. Even when I watch horror movies, there is never a moment when I’m scared or looking to get scared. I watch them because I love the genre and to study the cinematography. I would love to break into the Hollywood scene. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while now.

Say anything you want…just because.
I dig art, sexy tattooed girls, pretty things that smell good, Persian cats, death metal, horror movies, ranch dressing on pizza, Jack n Cokes and you, Jolene!

Revenant Magazine, Jan 2008
Interview

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 acknowledgment 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!

Fatally Yours – For the Love of Horror, December 2007
Interview

Bryan Barnes is an up and coming artist from San Diego, California who specializes in photography and illustration. His morbid, gritty and gruesome works of eye-catching art are interesting and stimulating, especially for people of the more macabre persuasion. His works depict stapled throats, bloodshot eyes, skin crisscrossed with dark veins and stitches and lots of blood splatter. Barnes photographs are eerily reminiscent of crime scene or autopsy photos in their starkness.

Fatally Yours recently got to chat with Bryan about horror movies, how dead girls can be sexy, his grandma and his artwork.

Fatally Yours: Bryan, how long have you been working in art?
Bryan Barnes: For as long as I can remember. I started drawing around age 4. It seems I’ve always been surrounded and attracted to the art realm.

FY: How did you first get started making art?
BB: When I was kid, I would stay at my grandmother’s house in Pasadena, California. She is a painter. When I would stay at her house I would see all of her paintings on the wall and want to emulate her and what I saw. I remember she would be cooking and I would be in the kitchen with her drawing. Although, my style is vastly different from hers, she was a huge influence on me in my early development. So, I guess art is in my blood. Also growing up skateboarding, I loved all the skull graphics I saw. Not only would I try to practice to be like the pros with tricks and launching off ramps, I would draw in the style of the skateboard decks and stickers I had.

FY: What is your favorite medium to use?
BB: My favorite mediums are graphite and photography. Both are challenging and rewarding in their own unique ways. I was originally brought up in illustration and painting, but over time I developed an appreciation for work behind the lens. My head is always spinning with one thousand ideas and concepts. Hopefully I’m able to capture as many of them as I can through one medium or another.

FY: Is there any specific message you wish to convey with your artwork?
BB: My artwork is a dark sexy traumatic rollercoaster ride through visions of vanity, insecurity, obsession, eternity and lust. Constant themes held within the artworks are symbolisms of hope, spirituality, optimism, power of self and the beauty of the divine. It’s my goal to make the viewer of the artwork take a step back and sincerely think what is presented in from of them.

FY: Where do you get your inspiration for your artwork?
BB: Inspiration is drawn together by what I’ve witnessed, experienced and felt through my years. It’s almost like real life thrown up on a canvas, so to speak.

FY: Who are some of your favorite artists and influences?
BB: I tend to only surround myself in a dark shotgun shell of my own work. I feel by viewing other artists and their work; it could taint my own work. I rather not be influenced by outside influences. There are probably only a handful of artists that I truly have an admiration for. I really dig the vibes of both Paul Booth and Michael Hussar though. They have some macabre visions that I dig.

FY: What is a memorable experience that has shaped your work?
BB: Probably one of the most memorable experiences came in college. As my style developed and began to take form, I realized that following what is safe and mainstream will never be for me. I create imagery for me. Hopefully people can pick up on the vibe I’m going for and appreciate it. Hopefully become a fan of it.

FY: Where did you receive formal training?
BB: Originally, I received a basketball scholarship to the University of Cal State San Bernardino. Only after a year or so I focused solely on art and studies and left sports for good. While in college I took up a greater appreciation for photography. This was also the time when I began to develop my style of artwork. I was attracted to a more realistic approach with darker and deeper concepts. I absolutely loved studying about Goya and Hieronymus Bosch. I finished and received my BA in Art (Graphic Design).

FY: What made you want to pursue a career in art?
BB: Artwork has always highly interested me. It is a true gift to have the beauty of creation. I would not change what I do for anything.

FY: So far, what is your favorite piece of artwork that you’ve created?
BB: One of my favorite pieces recently is the photography piece “The Devil of Ed Gein Wears Prada.” It deals with how the fashion industry, and media in general, creates pieces of meat that kill you with their outward faux appearance of beauty while consisting of rather no depth at all. It is one of the more graphic and gruesome pieces.

FY: Do any horror films/literature/comics influence your work?
BB: Yes, of course! When I watch films, especially horror, I study the cinematography, make-up and things that stick out in my mind that are new and innovative. The only problem is, it can be very difficult for me to just “watch” a film without constantly art directed it to how I believe the film could work better. That goes back to my design background where my eye is watching every inch of detail on the screen. Some of my most recent work can be seen to have influences from Dawn of the Dead and even 30 Days of Night. I loved the characters in 13 Ghosts, especially the Suicide Girl character. Sexy and dead, love it! Of course how can I not love The Shining, The Grudge, the remakes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Amityville Horror. Gritty, dark, ominous films always keep my full attention.

FY: If you could design the artwork for any horror film what would it be and why?
BB: I’m a huge fan of Rob Zombie, especially for this work on Devil’s Rejects. I thought the film worked so well on so many levels. It had a cool retro vibe while mixing violence, sarcastic humor, an interesting story and the oh so lovely Sherri Moon Zombie. What was not to love! But yes, I would love to have the opportunity to work with Zombie on his some of his future projects. He is truly a legend. I also dig Eli Roth’s work from Hostel as well; he seems like a pretty cool cat.

944 Magazine, Sept. 2007/Issue 6.9
Feature (Shades of Gray)

Pit Magazine, No. 57, Feb. 2007 ‘Artist of the Macabre’
Interview
www.pitmagazine.com

Art Rocks Radio!
Interview
Artivism: “Humanure,” The Art Show from 5/31/2006
Description: Artists Kelly Hutchison, Bryan Barnes & Coleen DiMaggio
Art Rocks Radio Interview