Fernandina Beach-based artist Brian Barnard knew he wanted to create art in some way, but it wasn’t until about 10 years ago he found the right fit for his artistic style.
“I didn’t really get into painting until I started college, but I’ve always been drawing since I was a little kid,” Barnard said. “I’ve always been trying to create something my whole life.”
Barnard attended Florida State University and studied art. When he returned to Fernandina Beach in 2006, he began working at Moon River Pizza, displaying his art on the restaurant walls, but he wasn’t sure how to make it a career until a musician friend of his approached him in 2009 with a novel suggestion.
The friend was performing an acoustic concert in Fernandina Beach and asked Barnard to do a live painting at the show. It was his first time painting for a live audience, but it felt like the beginning of something big.
Barnard began painting at concerts around the Jacksonville area. In one week, he earned $1,000 selling his artwork at two live music events, giving him the motivation to keep going.
“That let me know it was possible to make a living off my art, so I left my pizza job and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he said.
Through his creative connections, Barnard got noticed a lot on the music scene and beyond. He’s painted murals in Fernandina Beach, 5 Points, at a video game store on Blanding Boulevard and several other locations, as well as doing commissioned art. He also performs live art shows at events like the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Amelia Island, Dancing in the Streets in Neptune Beach and the Art Walk in Downtown Jacksonville.
But the live music scene is where Barnard is at home. He paints at venues around the First Coast, often at 1904 Music Hall in Downtown Jacksonville and Fly’s Tie Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach.
“I’ve just been making my way as a crazy, live painter guy and it really allows me to interact with people and my client base,” Barnard said.
While painting during a live music show with tons of people around may seem like a distraction, Barnard said the high energy actually helps his concentration.
“There’s so much going on that you don’t overthink what you’re doing with your artwork, so I find it a real productive environment,” he said. “Actually, a lot of times I do paintings from start to finish all in one set at a show, so putting it in parameters and a timeframe helps, because it makes you focus.”
Barnard’s medium of choice is usually acrylic on canvas or wood, although he also uses spray paint with stencils sometimes. The main thing is the ability to work quickly so he can complete pieces from start to finish during the course of the evening.
“It’s a great way of getting my art out in front of people,” Barnard said. “Getting out and talking to people kind of makes your art a real, viable thing.”
Sometimes Barnard knows what he plans to paint going in, but other times he likes to improvise and see what develops, which is often a pleasant surprise to the audience — and to Barnard.
“I like making a mess on the canvas and then cleaning it up,” he said. “I tell people painting at concerts is kind of like drawing in your notes at school. You’re kind of doodling, but still paying attention to what’s going on, and then you end up with this really cool drawing.”
As far as subject matter, Barnard said his changes regularly, but often includes pop culture, nature and surreal scenes, along with bold, vibrant colors and visual textures. And as for the music Barnard likes to paint to, he’s also flexible with that, painting in front of crowds who enjoy all types of musical genres, and the combination has been an ideal match.
“It pairs up perfectly,” Barnard said. “People who go out and seek live music, in general are very open to artistic experiences.”
To check out some of Barnard’s artwork, visit @brianbarnardart on Instagram.
