The father and son art duo of David Barnes and Owen Barnes have been creating stream of conscious worlds together for years. David, a multimedia artist and performer who is best known for his work as an artist and art director for the band of Montreal, and Owen, a young champion who from a very early age has been a “world-builder”- draw side by side on large pieces of paper in true collaborative form.

David explains, “It’s based on what we call our ‘big pictures’ where we draw and color on large sheets of paper very free form. When we get tired of the area we are drawing, we yell ‘switch!’ and trade places. Often times we even finish each others characters. It’s a way for us to share a creative world together. It’s my favorite thing in the world to do.”

The work is remarkably intricate and detailed, and the Barnes style permeates each and every piece. As is evident in The Flaming Gift (ink on paper, 22×28 inches, 2020) father and son invent unexpected characters, employ dark humor, and show an appreciation of the absurd. The result is wildly rich with color and visual storytelling – this one shows a chaotic world where two ancient gods are meeting each other for a gift exchange and one is giving the other their own burning heart.

As an Art Director David’s work is regularly brought to life on concert stages across the U.S. and Europe as theatrical live performances that feature skits along with elaborate stage sets, costumes, props, and projected imagery. The complicated process of pulling all of these disparate pieces together seems to require meticulous planning; however, David explains, “when we’re on tour, things will change and we’ll incorporate new ideas that excite everyone. We’ll run out to the store to pick up this and this and this, and try something new that night. It is pretty improv-y in nature.” It seems that the spontaneous process embraced by Owen and David is a keystone of the Barnes creative process.

David Barnes is an artist and performer who works to bring the visual interpretations of the band of Montreal’s music to life. Owen Barnes has made books and comics such as Pig Skull Island, Galaxy Destroyers, and Space Chase. The two have been drawing together since Owen could hold a crayon. The Barnes family lives and creates in Athens, GA.

500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Finished Puzzle Size: 19.25 x 26.625inches
Quality ESKA blueboard backing
Matte Finish to reduce glare
Recommended Age: 13+ Years