Artist to Discover: Patrick-Earl Barnes- Art Is How You Think
Art Is How You Think
I met Patrick-Earl Barnes in New York City more than 20 years ago as he stood in his usual spot on a SOHO Street selling his art. I have followed him over the years and, of course, started collecting his work.
Patrick-Earl has been on my short list of artists to interview for a long while, but things haven’t aligned until now. With a strong oeuvre, stellar reputation, numerous shows, and many collectors under his belt, Patrick-Earl has sold his art to his collectors while promoting his philosophy, “Art is how you think.” In interviewing him, I wanted to explore his philosophy and its similarities to Studio Tour Magazine’s philosophy of “Art as Lifestyle, while experiencing his artworks and his behind-the-scenes process.
Here is our interview with Patrick-Earl Barnes.
STM: How do you define “Art is How You Think,” and in what ways does this concept guide your daily life?
PEB: “ART IS HOW YOU THINK was conceived quite organically in 1996 as a defining statement of who I am as an Artist and how I approach my creative process. Art is how you think pushes the conversation behind the art to a space where individuals can learn and experience something deeper while feeding their souls.”
STM: What were the most significant moments in your journey to redefine the “American dream” through art?
PEB: “Working in corporate America wasn't initially a problem for me. However, once I discovered my true purpose, I began to see through the American dream. I realized how the corporate world was pushing their idealized version of success through carefully crafted aesthetics.”
STM: How does creating art allow you to interact with the world differently, compared to how you might if art were just a hobby or profession?
PEB: “My art aims to inspire people and collectors to connect across regions and cultures, fostering respect and curiosity about different perspectives. While I create art primarily for my own expression, I choose to share it with everyday people. This commitment to authenticity emerged when I realized that there is a difference between being an artist and living as an artist.”
STM: How does your approach to art differ from someone who sees art as just a profession or a skill?
PEB: “I live life as a deep folk artist, I like to think that my tagline “Art is how I think” is not just five words, but rather an invitation to see how Patrick-Earl thinks.”
STM: How does “Art is how you think” and “Art as Lifestyle” resonate with your belief that art is an “obligation” for self-expression and communication?
PEB: “ART IS HOW YOU THINK has successfully played an integral part in the development and building of my brand identity. It embodies and expresses the essence of my mission and purpose as a deep folk artist to create art how I think.”
STM: What role does honoring your “spirits” play in shaping the direction and focus of your art?
PEB: "Through my art, I honor the spirits of those who shaped me - the people who loved me, raised me, and guided my growth. Each piece gives me an opportunity to tell their stories and celebrate their influence on my life. My art becomes a living tribute to these cherished souls who helped make me who I am."
STM: What does “paying homage” with your ideas and labor mean to you in practical, everyday terms?
PEB: “The found objects carry a more profound significance, as they serve as a tribute to my late grandfather, Earl Ware, aka Rag Man. He was the one who nurtured in me a profound appreciation for found objects and imparted the wisdom of repurposing materials.”
STM: How does your philosophy of “Art is How You Think” allow you to see beyond traditional boundaries in your creative work?
PEB: “ART IS HOW YOU THINK is reflected in my various art brands. Having withstood the test of time, when people see ART IS HOW YOU THINK, they immediately associate the tagline with my work and me; it has become one of the most important and recognizable parts of my art.”
STM: How has blending history, social and cultural studies, and literature into your art changed how you live day-to-day?
PEB: “Since collage is the cousin to painting. I tend to use collage to fuel my imagination, and it adds that unique element of assembling and juxtaposing existing materials to create something entirely new. The method of decoupage is a way to "freeze original ideas. The process seems to serve as both a creative outlet and a meditative practice, given how you describe it as a daily mantra.”
STM: In what ways does “Art as Lifestyle” inspire you to think and create differently than you might otherwise?
PEB: “I forge my own path in the art world, unbounded by conventional traditions. I've discovered my authentic voice - creating art that defies traditional constraints and categories. At the core of my practice lies a powerful truth:
ART IS HOW YOU THINK” This philosophy drives me to translate raw thought into visual expression, creating work that's distinctly my own.”
STM: How do you integrate creativity, individuality, and beauty into other parts of your life besides your art practice?
PEB: “My deep folk art is a gift from God and to pay for it, I share it with the world. It is better to be a giver than a receiver. Also, art doesn’t need to carry a famous name or million-dollar price tag to enrich our lives.”
STM: How does the philosophy of “Art is How You Think” influence the themes and symbols you use in your pieces?
PEB: “Through scribbling and painting, these five simple words, Art is how you Think” take on new life in each piece I create. I’m not only interested in the visual aspect of my work; the important aspect is the viewers’ interpretation, and the message conveyed.”
STM: What do you hope collectors feel or experience when they live with your art in their spaces?
PEB: "I cherish the personal stories behind how my collectors discovered and acquired my deep folk art. There's something special about hearing them recount their first encounter with my art and when collectors share how their guests are moved by my work, sparking conversations and creating new connections through art in their homes."
STM: In what ways do you see the blending of disciplines in your art mirroring your approach to life?
PEB: "I love human interaction, and my art has allowed me to connect with new people every day, sharing both myself and my work.”
STM: How do you believe collectors incorporate your work into their own “Art is how you think” journey?
PEB: “Art is a powerful medium for expanding consciousness and inspiring people to think differently. I create pieces that are both unique and appealing to diverse audiences. As part of my artistic journey, I make small paintings for the people I meet along the way."
STM: How does your art encourage others to embrace a mindset that art is central to living fully?
PEB: “I painted not just on art materials and found objects, but on the minds and hearts of those who experienced my work.
STM: In what ways do you hope your art inspires others to redefine their own lives, merging creativity with purpose and identity?
PEB: “Being simple and your authentic self, because the Simplicity and Authenticity is the core of my appeal.”
STM: Thank you Patrick-Earl, for taking the time to spend with us at Studio Tour Magazine.
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