Life is too short to follow only one passion. It is also said that you should love what you do, and do what you love. I love the creative process, in all it's forms, and love exploring different media and means of creative expression.
It all comes down to "problem solving", the thrill of execution, and mastery of technique.
I trained as an interior designer, designed houses, neon signage, ad agency art director, designed shop interiors, fashion show productions, graphic design, advertising and fashion photography, and illustrated children's books.
I'm based in South Africa, and work with international clients, represented by Debut Art in London.
At my Mac, it's a case of 'moving pixel by pixel" ... in my metalwork smithy, it's a case of 'get a bigger hammer'.
It's the never-ending quest for learning skills, detail, materials, and pushing the boundaries of the craft.
Often, the collective experience on all the disciplines get brought into play on any one project. Creative Collective.
Since 1994, I have explored the story-telling possibilities of digital manipulation. My technique consists of taking lots of photographs, throwing them into a photo-snaffling machine, stirring it up, and sticking it all together with computer glue. Lately I've been chopping up some 3D, CGI bits to throw in as well.
I have a simple work philosophy of “Enchant yourself, and you will enchant others”, which I combine with a love of detail, and a fascination with non-verbal communication. I currently work with clients worldwide (from Moscow to Seattle) through my agent, Debut Art, in London. I have had 3 illustrated childrens books published in New York, as well as “Cow Planet”, a range of greeting cards, posters and calendars.
Awards:
*Won a gold and a silver “RX Club Award” in New York for work produced for Glaxo Smith Kline.
*Won the “John Dodds Challenge” for digital manipulation (South Africa)
*Awarded 4 pages in prestigious Hirt & Carter calendar competition (South Africa)
Clients:
BMW-Mini (UK), Budweiser (UK), Orangina (A.G. Barr) UK, BDH\ (Manchester), Nestle/Nescafe (UK), Billington Cartmell (UK), Pringles (USA), Old Navy (USA), Planters (USA), Microsoft (UK), Mercedes Trucks (UK), SAAB (UK), Vauxhall (UK), Carlsberg (UK), Ola (Unilever SA), SONY Playstation, TBWA (London), Glaxo Smith Kline, Skoda (germany), GE Bank (Russia), Simon & Schuster (New York), Mens Fitness UK, Financial Times (UK), The Economist, Hodder (UK), Arizona Opera, Cleveland Opera, Durex (SA), Jupiter Drawing Room (SA), Scholastic Books (Omnibus Australia), ABSA, Standard Bank, Dulux, Debonairs Pizza, Sun International, amongst others.
My interest started as an ad agency art director working with photographers, and after leaving the ad agency, I built a successful fashion and advertising photography business working with major SA clients. I enjoy the challenge of constructing images that tell stories, and particularly enjoy the challenge of using natural light.
Awards:
*1 “Loerie” award for photographic craft (South Africa)
*6 “Silver Quill” awards for photographic craft. (South Africa)
*Won the the South African section of the 2001 Hasselblad International Competition (South Africa)
Clients:
*Specialty Stores (Miladys, Mr Price), Playtex, Gotcha, Wrangler, Huletts, Unilever, Yamaha, Ellese, Lee Jeans, Old Mutual, Belgotex, Frame Group (Consolidated Textiles), Smirnoff, Integer Home Loans, Puma, Bear Clothing, De Beers, Innoxa, House & Leisure, Fairlady, Huisgenoot & You, Cosmopolitan, amongst many others.
With my background in interior design, constructing creative visuals and design, and combining this with my lifelong interest in wrought -iron and metalwork, it was a natural progression on the path to design and manufacture bespoke metalwork objects. These range from re-purposing of found metal objects to the design and manufacture of bespoke decorative and functional architectural pieces.
I developed my interest in graphic design while working as art director in an ad agency. I have acquired experience working on all aspects of graphic design from logos, corporate identity, posters, brochure design, packaging, T shirt prints, etc. My background in photography and illustration, plus my working in the marketing world for over 30 years, means I can bring a collective experience together into a full-service design solution, from concept to final product.
Having spent over 30 years creating imagery for commercial clients, I have also pursued personal photographic projects. As any visual artist will tell you, it is what drives me. I am available to discuss personal projects, to shoot images on commission, collaborative projects, and exhibitions. All the images on this site are available as prints… contact me for details relevant to your requirements.
Please visit www.barrydownardfineart.com to view a comprehensive collection of imagery designed for interior use.
