Nick Barry is a lifelong jotter of ideas, scribbler of jokes and sketcher of Dawgs
Nick’s art-form lives in a colourful, hand-drawn world where reside the iconic ‘Dragon-Dawgs’. His style has been playfully developed over the past 12 years through the capturing of spontaneous thought streams and sketches. His bank of ideas is rich in humour and social observation.
Nick is an avid fan of the humble coloured pencil, but his current exhibited work features Hand-routed timber Dragon-Dawg characters that stamp the walls of homes all around the country. The 3D dawgs are an ode to experimentation with texture, colour, size and, most distinctly, personality.
As well as his recognisable comic text and drawings, Nick Barry is an experienced and coveted scenic painter in film and television. His immersion in the world of special finishes and artistic sculptural techniques draws us into a tactile world of depth that lies well beyond the 2D. His work is found in a variety of international Netflix and Disney films.
Why Does Art Matter? What is the importance of art to you?
Art flows through me like a tap. I feel lucky to have been gifted with artistic talents. To create art feels like as much a responsibility as a passion.
On a personal level, making art is a lifeline to an artist, and its importance in society follows through from there significantly. The importance of making art begins with its ability to release and process my emotions. I find it easier to express myself through drawings than words, so my art is my primary language. I hope that my work is an offering for people to understand me better.
Making art is an escape into your own world, where decision making with familiar elements and tools can mirror the external challenges of life. The obstacles you encounter in your mind and on the paper often reflect what is showing up in your day-to-day. Making no excuses in your art form teaches you to weave your way through other obstacles in life. Drawing slows my brain chatter; it has become a meditation for me.
Making art is an escape into your own world, where decision making with familiar elements and tools can mirror the external challenges of life. The obstacles you encounter in your mind and on the paper often reflect what is showing up in your day-to-day. Making no excuses in your art form teaches you to weave your way through other obstacles in life. Drawing slows my brain chatter; it has become a meditation for me.
Art matters for everyone it touches. It has held importance for thousands of years, and its influence can often transcend social, cultural and age barriers. Like me, so many people find it more moving and easier to relate to visuals than be limited by talk. It would be a bare world without artwork and the influence of art on our everyday lives. Who wants to live in a place where texture, colour, style and ideas don’t inspire the senses?
