Mission Statement + Bio

Andrew Barker is a mixed-media artist who creates intricate, illustrative works that are themed around the flora, fauna, and landscapes of the Rocky Mountains and the American West. His primary medium is watercolor, which he often combines with ink, gouache, and colored pencil on either traditional fine art paper or wood.

The subject matter that Andrew explores is driven by his appreciation for the natural world, and his concern with the challenges of climate change, population growth, biodiversity loss, and defaunation. He celebrates the natural world through depictions of conflict, death, rebirth, and the struggles and joys of existence that are shared among all living beings.

Stylistically, Andrew is influenced by mid-century commercial art, tattoo design, the golden age of naturalist illustration, and early 20th-century Japanese printmakers and watercolor artists. He carefully constructs and composes his pieces, practicing an iterative and refinement-based process with an end goal of dynamic and meaningful compositions. His linework and shape treatments are not only reflective of his subjects, but are heavily influenced by the rugged landscapes of the American west – most notably the Rocky Mountains where he spends most of his time. Andrew frequently combines traditional anatomical shading techniques with harder geometric forms, creating a tension that adds to the uniqueness of his style.

Born in Utah, and spending his formative years in Oregon and East Africa, Andrew has always been drawn to the outdoors, the natural world, and the relationship between people and their environments. Andrew received his BFA in Applied Visual Arts from Oregon State University, spent 2 decades in the design industry, and has subsequently transitioned into a professional practicing artist. He has resided in Boulder, CO since 2013, and works out of his studio in the NoBo Arts District.

Notable Shows + Recognition

2024
Solo Exhibit, AR Mitchell Museum of Western Art, Trinidad, CO
Terra/Earth/Ground Group Show, Core Art Space, Denver, CO

2023
'After the Gold Rush' Exhibit, Western Gallery, Austin, TX
'Animalia' joint show with Cody Kuehl, Johanna Mueller,
    & Alexandrea Pangburn, The Crowd Collective
Pearl Street Arts Fest, Boulder / Best of Mixed Media
Golden Fine Arts Festival / Best of Show
Park City Kimball Arts Festival, UT
Cheesman Park Arts Fest, Denver
Evergreen Fine Arts Festival, Evergreen CO
Rocky Mountain National Watermedia, Center for the Arts Evergreen / Blick Art Materials Award
'Resonance' Exhibit, A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, Trinidad CO

2022
Vail Fine Art Fest
Artsweek Golden Festival
Pearl Street Arts Fest, Boulder
Fire in the Mountains, Grand Tetons WY
Breckenridge Art Festival
Western Gallery Pop-Up, Vaughn Gallery, Austin
Golden Fine Arts Festival / Best of Mixed Media
Sunrise & Sunset Exhibit, R Gallery
Mountains & Rivers Exhibit, R Gallery
'Portals' joint show with Dani Loujo, The Crowd Collective

2021
Cheesman Park Arts Fest, Denver
Pearl Street Fall Festival, Boulder
Jackalope Arts Fest, Denver
New Western Talent, Western Gallery / Best of Show
Foothills Fine Art Festival, Golden / Best of 2D
Spring: New Beginnings Exhibit, R Gallery

2020
Best of the Decade Solo Exhibit, R Gallery

2019
TEDx Boulder Event Artist, Spring + Fall
Fire in the Mountains, Grand Tetons WY

Media

2024 Southwestern Art Magazine Colorado Governor's Show Preview
2022 Daily Camera Pearl Street Arts Feature
2022 Studio Visit with Western Gallery
2021 Voyage Denver Interview