Meet Bryan Barnes | Art Director, Designer, and Fine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryan Barnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryan, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I draw inspiration from various sources, including fashion, music, movies, luxury cars, and sports. Luxury fashion houses like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Alexander McQueen are particularly inspiring to me. Within the fashion world, Kim Kardashian, Thylane Blondeau, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid are some of my favorite models. My taste in music is very diverse, spanning artists from Slayer, Sunn O))), Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Grimes, Drab Majesty, Taylor Swift, and Pastel Ghost to Primitive Man, Morbid Angel, Darkthrone, Deafheaven, Hum, Cave In, Boris, and 311, as well as ambient and film soundtracks. My all-time favorite movie is ‘Mad Max: Fury Road,’ and I have a strong affinity for the Bentley Continental GT coupe (in all black of course!). In the world of sports, figures like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Rasheed Wallace, Ja Morant, Conor McGregor, David Goggins, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tyson Fury serve as significant sources of inspiration for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a high-level Art Director with a background in graphic design, having worked for iconic film studios, award-winning agencies, and innovative brands. Notable names in my creative portfolio include Disney and Marvel, encompassing the Spider-Man and Toy Story franchises, FOX’s The Simpsons, the prestigious luxury audio brand Marantz, Vizio, FOX Sports, and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.

My creative journey began at the age of four when I started with my pencil art drawings, and it evolved into my career in the creative industry designing for The Walt Disney Company. My creative work has been featured with prominent entertainment and music celebrities, including Gen Z icon Zendaya, Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Bullock, Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora, Marshmello, French Montana, as well as in viral TikTok and YouTube videos, some amassing over 40 million views!

Beyond my roles as an Art Director and Designer, I am also a Fine Artist known for my meticulous hand-drawn, hyper-realistic pencil portraits and captivating digital pixel artistry. These artistic expressions are fueled by my passion for unconventional, boundary-pushing avant-garde fashion and admiration for fashion models and pop culture icons.

I had the privilege of showcasing my artwork in a gallery exhibition alongside my favorite artist, H.R. Giger. For those unfamiliar, H.R. Giger was a Swiss artist renowned for his surreal biomechanical art, and was also a key part of the special effects team that earned an Academy Award for the visual design of Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror masterpiece ‘Alien,’ creating the design of iconic Xenomorph.

I’ve created pencil art drawings featuring celebrities, and I’m honored to have them share my artwork on their social media platforms. Notable individuals include French model Thylane Blondeau, who has been celebrated as the ‘most beautiful girl in the world,’ and actor Doug Bradley, renowned for his portrayal of Pinhead in the iconic ‘Hellraiser’ film series.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to downtown Encinitas (in North County San Diego) and suggest checking out the Swami’s Beach area. This beautiful area has an eclectic and very zen vibe with picturesque areas and a fun downtown that’s a blast!

The area offers serene Meditation Gardens overlooking the ocean, retail shops, yummy dining options, and the chance to catch a classic movie like ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ at the historic La Paloma Theatre.

And, of course, a walk along Highway 101 to Cardiff with its breathtaking beachfront views is an incredibly relaxing experience in itself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to my family. Their unwavering love and support have been a cornerstone of my life, especially during pivotal moments.

I’d like to offer a special acknowledgment to the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. Covey’s teachings from the book have played a pivotal role in guiding me toward lasting success and effectiveness in life.

Furthermore, I surround myself with individuals who exude positivity and serve as mentors and coaches, playing crucial roles in my personal and professional growth.

Website: https://bryanbarnes.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativethor

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanbarnes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bryanbarnes