A spotlight on plein air painter Bridger Barksdale: His education, favorite subjects, aha moment, and more
Artist Spotlight on Bridger Barksdale
Art education: I painted my first watercolor in 2016, at the age of 20, when my illustrator-extraordinaire grandfather encouraged me to give the medium a try. I spent a year living with him in the desert. We drew and painted every day. Since then, I’ve had several mentors, including David Dornan and Paul Davis.
Favorite subjects: Known the world over as light chasers, plein air painters often bemoan the constant fluctuations of weather. But I welcome the variations the day brings because it’s all part of the experience. It’s good for me to remember that I’m not the only part of the universe that decides what the final outcome will be.
Aha moment: I know that an understanding of light and form, like anything else, is obtained only through experience and slow, dedicated observation. But one day it clicked for me how light moves over an object based on the physical relationship between the two, and that realization continues to click in different ways.
What I would do for a living if I wasn’t an artist: I’ve worked quite a few jobs in factories, restaurants, the theater, construction, call centers, as well as calligraphy commissions, house painting, and window washing — believe it or not, the list goes on. As a child, I wanted to join the circus. Later, I wanted to dance for the American Ballet Theatre. Sometimes I imagine throwing it all away and studying physics.
Favorite artists: I first met Charlie Hunter at the Plein Air Convention & Expo in New Mexico, where he was on the faculty. I watched him paint for 30 minutes and immediately asked if I could buy his final product. It was the first painting I had ever laid down money for. His demo taught me something about shape and rhythm that has stayed with me ever since.
The advice I wish I had received earlier in my painting career: Show up and introduce yourself even before you feel qualified or ready. You can’t know what opportunities are available unless you ask and let people know what you need and want.
Website: bridgerbarksdale.com
