Local Art Seen: Brian Barber at Beaner's Central

Last Thursday evening we attended the opening reception for an exhibition of Brian Barber's new work at Beaner's Central. Up on stage Jason Wussow and Veikko Mark Lepisto of Wood Blind performed a set, eventually joined by jazz guitarist Darin Bergsven formerly with Tangier 57 and Perfectini. As it turns out the connection with Bergsven goes back to their years performing together, as Barber himself was drummer for Tangier 57.

In the spring of 2012 Barber's whimsical work was displayed in the George Morrison Gallery of the Duluth Art Institute. The artist specializes in illustration, animation and video. And in making people smile. Among his influences he cites MAD Magazine, as well as the illustrators Ralph Steadman, Robert Risko, CF Payne, Chip Wass, Ed Fotheringham, Ian Pollack, and Lane Smith.

In a September interview Brian made this statement that I especially liked: "The best skill is still probably the ability to come up with ideas, and the curiosity and patience to get the work done." It sums up two key facets of any creative task, whether in art or in business: originality and execution.
Brian Barber does both and he does it well.

Here's some of what you will see if you stop by Beaner's this month. You can also purchase prints of many of Barber's pictures at his website,
http://prints.brianbarber.com

The prints are priced just right... and Christmas is just around the corner.

Veikko and Jason... a perfect addition to any event. 

Meantime, get into it... art, music and life goes on all around you.