Artist Spotlight: Marc Barrett

 

Arts on Douglas
Gallery hours: T-F 10-5 and Sat 10-4
123 Douglas Street,
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

Artist Spotlight: Marc Barrett

Orlando based painter Marc Barrett has been represented by Arts on Douglas since 2002 and is known for his work depicting representational scenes of Florida. He has been living in Florida since 1969 and his paintings reflect the colors, patterns, and quality of light that is definitive of this state. In lieu of palm trees and expansive natural vistas, Barrett captures the charm and energy of the buildings, bridges, and man-made structures that dot the landscape, from the sharp angles of towering skyscrapers to the subtle textures and old-Florida charm of weathered fish camps and other timeless relics.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Marc Barrett holds a BFA from the John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, Indiana and an MFA from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Once he completed his studies, he moved back to Central Florida to pursue a career in aerospace illustration.  After 20 years in this field, he returned to his roots as a fine artist. Barrett is an Adjunct Professor of Fine Art at Valencia College and has regularly participated in the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival.  In 2017, his work was featured in the exhibition Solaris at Valencia College, in 2021 his work was featured in the Valencia College Faculty Exhibition and in 2022, he participated in the Gallery CERO Group Exhibition at Wekiva Island.

What artists have influenced your style or art practice and why?

In college, I created non-objective paintings and was influenced by Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, and other abstract expressionist and color field painters of the1950s. 

 

My newer inspiration comes from the photorealism movement. I feel a connection to the California painter Robert Bechtle’s scenes from his everyday life.

Where do you find inspiration when you begin a new piece?

 

I am inspired by the unique places I come across in Central Florida. My camera is my sketchbook. I begin by shuffling through photos until something jumps out and says, ‘paint me!’ I then decide on the composition and vantage point that will represent my subject in all its ‘glory’.  

How has living in Florida influenced your work?