Q&A: Bea Barber
Over the last year I have had the good fortune to get to (virtually) know Bea Barber, a New York-based creative who balances a daytime career at John Derian Company with her after hours work in custom illustrations, watercolor collages, and photography. By way of an introduction through gallery artist, Ariane Luckey, Bea painted The Willard Gallery’s first holiday card, which included a delightful portrait of our spaniel in front of our festive cottage gallery space. The card was met with high praise - everyone noting Bea’s unique talent at capturing the spirit of both the building and our pup - and it’s no secret that I now want Bea to personalize and paint more of my stationery going forward.
In this Q&A, Bea shares a glimpse into her life in New York, what inspires her creative work, her thoughts on collecting art, her favorite artists, and so much more. All photos and illustrations seen here are Bea’s own.
Read on for plenty more from Bea Barber, and see four works from The Willard Gallery’s artists that have recently caught her eye.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
By day I’m the digital content manager for John Derian Company, a small-ish art and home retail company in New York City full of John’s decoupage and paper goods lines, charming handmade items, fine linens, French antiques and more. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by all his collected pieces and help to carry that beauty into the digital world.
My early mornings, nights and weekends, are spent on a myriad of small creative hobbies including handmade birthday cards and commissioned illustrations of all sorts: dogs, objects, homes, wedding crests, personalized stationery and more. When I have the time, I also enjoy creating abstract watercolor collages, and am always seeking the best light to photograph wherever I am. I’m still trying to find exactly where I best fit into the art realm, but stay motivated by the active pursuit of that question.
What drew you to working in watercolor?
My mom, a watercolorist herself (among many other artistic talents), encouraged me to try different mediums early on in life. I’ve always been inspired by the daily creative intentions and perspective she’s brought into my life and continue to carry that with me.
One of my areas of studies in college was studio art, which allowed me to try my hand in a variety of different courses from silk screen printmaking to photojournalism, to textile design and life drawing. Although I never specifically studied watercolor, and ultimately chose photo and web editing as a professional career path, I have always been drawn to the loose, somewhat unfinished nature and physical process of watercolor. I specifically started to pick up watercolor when I began making birthday cards for family and friends as an emotive and creative outlet a few years ago. I’ve loved exploring and practicing it as my medium of the moment.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Everywhere! Inspiration for me is often found through the intersection of art, interior design, photography, film, architecture, typography etc. etc. I love how different elements of design and life work together and build from each other through a common thread. My own work and interests are most often informed by an appreciation of ordinary fleeting moments; just walking around the city, a small town road, flipping through an art book or watching a movie and looking at the details.
Describe a work of art from your own collection.
I am lucky to have, and cherish, a couple oil paintings by Ariane Luckey: one a still life, and the other from her barn series. Drawn to the soft lines and palette of Ariane's paintings, I am taken by her process and how she delicately captures a distinct sense of place and the unspoken sentiments that come with it. Knowing Ariane personally, and much of the landscape she paints, has deepened my connection to her work.
Tell us about some artists whose work should be on our radar.
I’ve recently become entranced with the work of Australian-based artists Zoe Young and Emma Gale, as well as Deborah Tarr's abstract paintings.
What does collecting art add to your life?
The flair for collecting objects and artwork of any medley has been an increasing source of fulfillment, particularly as I’ve grown older. I like to think of my small collection of art as a personal visual history; pieces I have not just found, or have been given and admired, but that I’ve come to lean on as a marker of time and place.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
Andrew Wyeth and Fairfield Porter paintings, Saul Leiter photographs, Matisse's cutouts and sketches, Robert Kime's textile designs, and Happy Menocal Studio's whimsical illustrations.
Are you drawn to a particular style of art for your own collection?
I prefer the layering of different mediums and textures: oil paintings, and contemporary abstract works next to an antique etching found in a junk shop or pressed flowers. I often find myself pushing the boundaries of what art means to me, mixing in personal mementos such as figure drawings resurfaced from my mom's college portfolio and watercolor sketchbooks, a framed note of encouragement from a teacher or an old addressed envelope found in my grandmother’s archives from long ago.
Your perfect day off in New York?
As a dedicated homebody, my perfect day would start with a leisurely morning in my apartment, followed by catching up with good friends at a local spot for breakfast, people watching, and scheming our next moves. I’d then spend the rest of the day walking around or meeting up with my mom to visit favorite shops, scavenging vintage stores for the unique finds, and discovering new places in different neighborhoods.
Favorite museums?
The Guggenheim in New York and the Matisse Museum in Nice.
A trip on your travel bucket list?
A train trip through the Scottish highlands and Ireland.
A big thank you to Bea for not only sharing her photography and illustrations, but also these thoughtful answers to our art-driven questions. Be sure to follow along with Bea on Instagram and visit her site to browse her photography and work in watercolor, or inquire about her custom illustrations.
