Shawn Barber will be exhibiting at Billy Shire Fine Arts in Culver City, CA. This installment of the Tattooed Portrait series focuses on Los Angeles tattoo artists, with paintings and watercolors of many of LA’s most beloved and storied tattoo artists working today. The Tattooed Portrait Series has been an ongoing project, documenting artists that are tattooed, tattoo artists, their tools and materials. After 3 years of working on this series, two books, a few art shows and learning to tattoo- this show is a culmination of this labor of love so if you’re in the area be sure to check it out. It opens on July 19th and runs until August 23rd, 2008.

Opening reception: Saturday, July 19th, 2008 7-10pm

Billy Shire Fine Arts 5790 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA

Shawn Barber’s new book Forever and Ever is finally out! The 256-page hardcover book acts as an overview of Shawn’s paintings and experiences from the last three years with the Tattooed Portrait series.

Shawn will be doing a book signing at the Shooting Gallery on Saturday, April 26th, 2008 between 6-8pm.

The Shooting Gallery 839 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA

You can view a few spreads from the book on Shawn’s blog.

Amazon and Barnes & Noble will not have the book in stock until after July 2008. If you can’t wait that long visit www.9mmbooks.com to order the book now directly from the publisher!

If you live in Los Angeles you can pick up Forever and Ever at:

La Luz de Jesus/Soap Plant/Wacko 4633 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

Canvas Los Angeles 441 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA

As far as stores carrying the book in your city- if they don’t have it, please recommend that they stock it!

Shawn Barber will appear on an episode of TLC’s L.A. Ink. The show features one of Shawn’s new paintings, a portrait of tattoo artist and series regular, Kim Saigh. The painting is part of Shawn’s “Portrait of the Artist” series and was exhibited in the Red Dot Fair at Miami Art Basel. During the episode Kim gives Shawn a skull with roses tattoo and they discuss the oil painting she did of the same tattoo. The episode airs on Tuesday, January 22nd at 10pm on TLC.

L.A. Ink

Portrait of the Artist, Kim Saigh, oil on linen, 60 x 44 inches

Shawn Barber is participating in a two-man show with Ron English for The Shooting Gallery. He will be showing 8 pieces that are a continuation of the Tattooed Portraits series and will be a precursor to his solo show next year at Billy Shire Fine Arts in Culver City, California. The show is part of the Red Dot Art Fair at the South Seas Hotel in Miami Beach. The show runs from December 6th to 9th.

The Shooting Gallery

Red Dot Fair

Portrait of the Artist, Kim Saigh, oil on linen, 60 x 44 inches

Portrait of the Artist, Shige (study), oil on panel, 30 x 24 inches

Portrait of the Artist, Cristy Road, oil on canvas, 44 x 32 inches

Shawn Barber will be one of over 25 artists participating in the F.A.M.E. Collective group show, part of the Miami Art Basel. The F.A.M.E. Collective is a four-story exhibition described as “the downtown art world meeting the uptown fine art world in a cultural crash collision course.” The show celebrates the world’s most prolific street artists that have elevated the mediums of graffiti, pop and contemporary art techniques to a fine-art form. Other artists participating in the show include Dave White, Futura, Ron English, Jeremy Fish, MARS-1, Kenji Hirata, Tomokazu Matsuyama and more. The show runs from Tuesday, December 4th to Friday, December 14th and takes place at 2228 Park Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. RSVP on their website.

F.A.M.E. Collective

Feast or Famine, oil on linen (36″ x 42″)

Shawn Barber has an educational DVD called Foundation Painting with Shawn Barber now available for sale through the Massive Black website. The DVD is one of a series of (at this point) three educational DVD’s that feature both instructional information as well as behind the scenes insight into the artists themselves. The DVD’s were released jointly by conceptart.org and Massive Black, Inc. and the other artists in the series are Peter Koenig and Mirco Djurdjevic. These releases give artists everywhere the opportunity to see into the lives and creative process of some of the most fascinating leaders in the industry.

In the 165 minute DVD, Shawn reveals his unique approach to the art of painting. While watching him work, students will learn about many of the basic elements of painting including drawing, composition, color, form, and value. Shawn also demonstrates many of the important lessons one must understand before even picking up a brush: stretching canvas, color mixing, palette setup, and choosing the right medium. Also included is a behind-the-scenes interview that covers his personal work, career, and what it takes to become a successful artist.

Massive Black

Shawn Barber will be teaching in another workshop, INSOMANIA the San Francisco WORKSHOP, produced by ConceptArt.org and MassiveBlack inc. in San Francisco on December 15 - 17, 2007. Instructors for this three day event include: Aleksi, Andrew Jones, Carl Dobsky, El Coro, Dan Milligan, HPX, Jason Felix, John Mueller, Jon Foster, Kevin Llewellyn, Marko Djurdjevic, Michael Hussar, Noxizmad, Petey Konig, Ron Lemen, Vanessa Lemen, Wesley Burt and William Whitaker.

For anyone who hasn’t heard about the past workshop and events . . . here’s the scoop!

Past workshops have been held in Amsterdam, Prague, Montreal, Austin, TX - and once again, here in San Francisco, CA. These workshops are a perfect blend of both digital and traditional
media, and are taught by the most seasoned professionals and leaders in their respective fields. People fly in from all over the world to attend these events, so it is definitely an interesting mix.

INSOMANIA

Sadly, Shawn Barber’s friend Tennessee Dave has recently undergone major surgery to have his cornea replaced. Shawn and other friends and well wishers have gotten together to raise money for him while he is unable to work. A few weeks ago Shawn painted Tennessee Dave’s portrait at San Diego Comic Con, this painting will be auctioned off with all proceeds go to help during his recovery. Additionally, Acumen Entertainment/Movie Goods has generously donated their time, energy and select products for this benefit auction, as well… ebay auction All the proceeds from these auctions will go to “Tennessee Dave”.

Tennessee Dave works at Vintage Tattoo and Art Parlor in Los Angeles, California where he has been a fixture in the tattoo community for many years. He is a gifted artist whose work has garnered accolades throughout the tattoo world. Recently, Dave fell victim to a “freak” accident that has put him in a position where he is unable to work. While walking his dog he got dirt on his hands and inadvertently rubbed his eyes, this led to a particle of dirt getting between his eye and his contact lens. This innocent action led to a very serious condition which forced Dave to have surgery to replace his cornea. Thankfully, Dave is now home from the hospital recovering and the prognosis is good. What is unclear is when Dave can return to work. Due to the severity of the problem there is no current indication when he will be able to return.

Please check out the eBay AUCTION and if possible help support this talented artist and friend to many. Your purchase will be memorable for what it gave to another as much as the joy you receive from it.

An exhibit of new paintings titled The New York Experience by Shawn Barber, and the next installment in his Tattoo Portraits series, is being hosted by Invisible NYC. The Tattooed Portraits series is an analysis, documentation and celebration of artists with tattoos, tattoo artists, tattooed art, and tattooist’s materials. The artists portrayed in the series are pioneers in contemporary art history. For his exhibit at Invisible NYC, The New York Experience, Mr. Barber focuses on painting twenty-three of New York City’s most accomplished tattoo artists, specifically focusing on their primary tools of the trade - their hands.

The opening reception will be  Friday August 10th, 2007, from 7:00-9:00 PM and the exhibit will run from August 10th – September 8th, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8:00 PM.
Invisible NYC 148 Orchard Street NYC 10002 212.228.1358

Shawn Barber’s series of six illustrations for Gatorade and Sports Illustrated Kids ad campaign can now be seen in print and online. The ‘Play Your Best’ campaign, which launched this month, features portraits of three athletes: Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, US Women’s Soccer Team’s Kristine Lilly and the Colts Peyton Manning. The nicely designed campaign features Shawn’s portraits prominently alongside tips and drills to help your game. Two of the ads and can be seen online at the following addresses and the Peyton Manning ad should air in about a month.

Gatorade/Dwyane Wade

Gatorade/Kristine Killy

Gatorade/Peyton Manning

Dwyane Wade

Kristine Lilly

Peyton Manning