CONTEMPORARY ARTIST ALAN BARSBY – I have never met anyone yet that does not like art, in some form or another. Of course we all perceive and interpret art and the artists in different ways. There are people who think Vincent Van Gogh was the greatest artist to have ever put paint onto a canvas, while others consider it child-like.
When it comes to art I have always taken the stance that it is irrelevant what the art critics say – you either like a particular style of art and the artist or you do not.
I must admit in my early youth I was not a fan of contemporary art. I considered it meaningless and for my youthful eyes I guess I was looking for purpose and modern, contemporary art simply did not provide any direction.
As I have matured I have learned to appreciate different forms of art and how they work, not only in the mind’s eye but more importantly within the interior design of a home, and considering I favor the minimalist / contemporary interior design style, my emotions pull me more towards an appreciation for modern / contemporary art.
I would like to make a distinction here, and this is only my own interpretation – most people I have met over the years, like myself in my youth, fail to see or rather interpret modern art, however there are many variations of modern art, some that are left to the interpretation of the viewer and others where the artist has made a definitive statement as to the subject matter and is clear to anyone viewing the work.
I was browsing around the web the other day looking for inspiration on interior design. The brief was to add impact to a room through bright or strong colors and I decided to achieve this by using one or two contemporary pieces of art. As I researched available art I came across Alan Barsby and instantly liked what I saw. Alan has a very distinctive style and for me it is almost a grown up and colorful version of Lowery.
On this note, I decided to write an article showcasing Alan’s work. As usual please note that I am no way affiliated with Alan Barsby nor do I earn any form of commission – I write about the things I find appealing in the hope of inspiring others.
Alan Barsby – Away From It All
This first example is one of my favorites. The use of soft color tones is so beautifully enhanced with the deep blue night sky which produces such a calming effect. When it comes to hanging a painting, this example of Alan’s work would fit well with any contemporary interior that favored light and neutral colors; as I feel this would help the painting to stand out and become a focal point in the room.
Alan Barsby – Along by the Coast
Along by the Coast typifies the unpredictable British weather and is such a wonderful painting. At first glance it appears minimal in my eyes through the use of all the brown and gold tones, but as you look deeper into the picture it becomes quite busy. If you are one of those people who likes Magnolia or Light Sand colored walls then this painting would sit and contrast beautifully.
Alan Barsby – In to the Light
When I showed the painting above to a friend of mine his initial reaction is that it is depressing. Surly the figures represented here appear beaten and down trodden but looking more closely these people are walking towards hope which from me removes the initial oppressive feelings and lifts the spirit.
Alan Barsby – Night Life
Another of my favorites is Night Life. Again I like the use of all the vibrant blue and the whole scene draws the eyes towards the red, making this painting a youthful and fun image to be around. It would look sublime within an interior design that is clean as this will allow the painting to take center stage and really stand out.
Alan Barsby – Sudden Shower
Sudden shower is almost a rework of ‘Along the Coast’ but takes on a complete different persona with the use of blues and grays, which are superbly subdued with the vibrant reds, oranges and greens.
Alan Barsby – The Captains Table
The Captains Table is a wonderful painting due to all the bright colors and what appears as a very busy scene. Because this is such a forceful picture it will certainly dominate a room and with contemporary interior design I always like to see one item in the room that gives it character and brings it to life and this painting would do the job so well.
Alan Barsby – The Rendezvous
Finally, in this selection, ‘The Rendezvous’ which to me is simply an outstanding piece of artwork. It just has everything you would need to add that special touch to a modern interior. It’s many vibrant colors would, without question, add a touch of class and provide the owner with a central focal point to any room.
Alan Barsby
Adam Barsby was born in Leicester in 1969 and graduated in Illustration at The Kent Institute of Art and Design with a first class honours degree in 1992. Since turning fully professional in 1996, Adam has been awarded a number of accolades which include Best Up and Coming Artist 1999, Best Selling Artist of the Year 2000, and no less than three nominations for Best Published Artist.
Alan’s artistic influences are clearly seen in his work. Stanley Spencer has been a long-term inspiration, so to that of the naive genre of art initiated by Alfred Wallis. His deepest passion however is his love for the sea. You will notice that many of his compositions are based around coastal and harbour scenes and this provides the backdrop to many of his themes.
When looking through Alan’s work above, you might be mistaken to believe that all he paints is contemporary ‘Seaside’ scenes, however nothing could be further from the truth. Alan is in fact a very diverse artist and if you try a Google search you will come across many different types of paintings and themes by Alan Barsby. I chose the selection above in order to keep with a theme and attempt to portray diversity in color and use of a particular subject matter.
I hope you have enjoyed reading and viewing what is just a very small piece of Alan’s work. Please leave any comments below and share this article with your friends. Thank you.
