We recently connected with Steve Barnard and have shared our conversation below.
Steve, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Tacoma Washington City Arts Council sponsored an event named METAL-URGE several years ago. I had works of art in five galleries at one time as a participant. That and an ongoing display at The Proctor Art Gallery was what really got me noticed. I was getting repeat sales to people that liked what I was creating. I started making more. They were characters constructed from found items, garage sales, thrift stores and a supply of things I had collected.
They had lights and could play a persons music from their library. I used led lighting before it caught on.The names I gave these pieces often were puns such as; Jumpin’ Jack Trash, (life sized robot on a pogo stick), Flying Freddie Flabbergaster (A character riding on a painted oxygen tank,(rocket) mounted on a pole to suggest airborne. Sir Rodney Lancebuster (A robot on a silver horse. Rodney had flip up visor face-shield, with color changing lights for eyes, a chrome lance, lights and music playability using computer speakers as legs. and more including Charley Davidson.This was one of my best. I built it completely from bits and pieces. The head was a modified clock radio with flashing eyes and many strands of guitar strings as if flowing in the wind.His hands I made using brass tubes with movable fingers. Judy In Disguise. Lady Goo Goo, Pel-i-can, Ruby Tuesday, Don’t Bug Me, Red Eye Express ( cyclops on old-fashioned roller skates) etc.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I, as many working and dedicated artists started in grade school and knew art was my future. In jr. High school I was drawing cartoon cars on t-shirts for $1.50. I won a state wide contest for a Hire the Handicapped poster contest .I sold some drawings and paintings in high school. My education in art has been both public and private. I have done covers and illustrations for Kindle books on Amazon, as well as some album covers, advertisements, business card designs, posters, sculptures, jewelry, wood working and some electric guitar building and modification. My biggest asset is my imagination. I use traditional tools such as acrylic paint, canvas or illustration board. I use reference materials for details but most often I compose the idea in my mind and work it out as I go.The process of creativity is one of using innate basics, composition, color, balance, perspective etc which can be learned, but just as a person can play music by ear, the visual artist just does it. Famous artists have a recognizable look or almost a trademark style. Most of my own paintings being of different subjects, techniques, and media are meant to explore what’s possible. I like to use computer software to really take off on my visions. The instant gratification of seeing my imagination at work is delightful! Especially when a client wants to see alternative solutions to their project.
,
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Having goals written down and put where you can refer to them easily is important. Most goals are long range and become a part of your subconscious. Short term goals are set daily or weekly. NOT weakly. Circumstances often dislodge our goals. We must adapt and evolve to suit whatever comes along. Discouragement and procrastinating will happen but the mindset, the course you want will win. Sometimes by observing those little opportunities that flutter past your attention will cause you to rethink the problem and or the solution. My imagination has been a huge factor in my goal to get my work out there. Lucky for me to be able to produce something that will outlive me. Writing short stories has been a goal for me and I am finally ready to submit a manuscript for publication. I hate to waste creative time on frivolous activity when I could be actively at work obtaining my next finished piece.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
There are other artists and writers that I admire.To name a few. Leonardo DaVinci, Norman Rockwell, Ed Roth, Eyvind Earle, Daniel Meriman, Rodney Matthews, J D Cook, Mark Fredrickson, Stephen King, Nemo Gould. Jeff Koons. There are so many contemporary artists exploring the modern technology. Coming up with unbelievable art in so many different ways. It’s very exciting and difficult to keep up with. Be open to the broad range of information such as this publication CanvasRebel. I am so happy to be chosen as an artist to contribute my story. 
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.barnard.
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@stevebarnard4327