Today we’d like to introduce you to Oliver Barrett.
Hi Oliver, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I was making little booklets containing dinosaur drawings before I could ride a bike. A massive credit goes to my parents, who helped me turn an interest in the arts into a skill by enrolling me in classes and treating me to a comic book or pack of baseball cards, despite being strapped financially.
I consider myself fortunate to have had that guidance at an early age because as I grew up, there wasn’t really any other path that interested me enough. I had no backup plan.
In addition to drawing, I bought my first bass guitar when I was a freshman in high school and promptly got into playing in hardcore bands and going to shows. After high school, I went to the Cleveland Institute of Art (I’m a transplant, but at least I’m not from California!), and that’s where the career in the arts truly started.
Back in the olden days of Friendster and Myspace, I spent a lot of time in the computer lab at school after learning how to use Photoshop. I would make flyers for shows and design merch for my band and attempt to use those designs as class projects, with mixed results.
The band got bigger, we traveled to play shows out of town, and made friends with other bands. We also got signed to a small, indie hardcore label. I also got a lot better with visual communication after learning about the greats like Milton Glaser and Saul Bass. Because of the band and my decent-for-a-kid design skills, I made a lot of connections with other bands and record labels, who hired me (for pennies) to make stuff for them.
I was about half-way through school and had a robust enough portfolio to land a part-time position at an agency as a junior designer, and that put me in a great spot to graduate into a full-time position at a wonderful place in Cleveland called Go Media. Shout-out to Bill Beachy, still the best boss I’ve ever had. Though I haven’t had many since then.
I stayed there for about 6 years, working as a team to build the agency up and land some pretty great projects and clients. It was an excellent place to start because the environment truly encouraged learning and growth while integrating personal passions into the projects. It was here where I got back into drawing and illustration and realized that it was something I could focus on, and I got back into doing concert posters.
My renewed interest in posters led me to a group show in San Francisco at Spoke Art (now in SF & NYC, go Ken!), and my goofy Quentin Tarantino prints with cuss-words sold out. Then there was another show about two months later, and my prints there also sold out. Convinced that this was my chance at being a full-time artist, I left the agency to pursue freelancing full-time…
…and I failed miserably. Those early sell-outs were not exactly a sign of things to come. I mistakenly went too heavy on making prints that sold only a handful of copies and it wasn’t long before I was putting my tail between my legs and looking for a full-time job again.
I went back to working as an art-director for a couple of agencies in Cleveland. I found one that was a pretty good fit, but I’m also a bit of a hothead and a confrontation with a client led to me (deservedly) getting canned. It was the most humbling event of my life, and likely the best thing that ever happened to me.
Defeated, but determined, I got back up and decided to give freelancing another go. I was more aggressive and proactive, armed with spite and a desire to prove myself. Through some internet detective work that probably belongs on a true-crime podcast, I got a hold of the email addresses of art directors at ESPN, the Atlantic, and several other outlets and managed to get some pretty cool projects from them just by cold-emailing and being honest.
I also got back into doing posters and connected with Mondo here in Austin (the OG Alamo Mondo, not the current Funko-owned husk). After a few months of great little projects with them, I flew down here for a gallery show at their sorely missed gallery on Guadalupe.
My career truly took off after a couple of successful movie poster releases with Mondo. I was flying down to Austin a few times a year for various events and met a ton of excellent people. After my wife and I had our first son, we were outgrowing our little house in Ohio City in Cleveland and decided to sell it. Since we already had a connection with Austin, we decided to make the move to Texas.
And we’re still here. I’m still freelance, working on stuff that the younger me would do a backflip over.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Sometimes, I think my path could not have been bumpier, but it depends on how my day is going. As I mentioned, getting fired and bouncing around after some poorly received releases humbled me.
I’ve had some incredible things happen along the way. Like getting to travel to NYC and London on Apple’s dime to talk about my career at their flagship Apple stores (while also giving an ipad demo).
I’ve also had my drawing arm completely lock up on me from being overworked and probably shaved years off of my life from pulling all-nighters to hit deadlines. I’m still pulling the occasional all-nighter these days, which I don’t recommend, but sometimes it’s the only way to get to the finish line when you’re a full-time freelancer and father of two feral boys.
In 2022, I was working on the biggest project of my life (Nike’s World Cup campaign) and the lack of sleep and abundance of stress nearly put me in the ground.
I was nearly sued by a movie studio over an incredible misunderstanding, which was scary, but the issue was a coincidence and now they’re one of my favorite and best clients.
Or during covid, I was on a zoom call to discuss feedback with a well-known video game developer when my then 2 year old son ran butt-naked through the background of the call, screaming his head off. After that, all feedback was delivered via email…and they didn’t work with me again..maybe a coincidence?
I still struggle with maintaining a healthy work/life balance, often having coffee for lunch instead of eating or cancelling plans because of a deadline. It’s a constant work-in-progress.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an artist and designer. In occupational terms, an illustrator and creative director. I work primarily in the entertainment industry. My career is built on movie & tv key-art, toy packaging, album covers, concert posters, and comics.
I’m in every gas station in America (I may or may not be the guy who illustrated a certain wrestler that sponsored a meat snack in the 90’s). I’ve been on your tv and in the banner ads when you’re doomscrolling. I might even be on your wall if you’re into movie posters or Pearl Jam.
What sets me apart from the others, AND AI ART, is that I’m, at the very least, trying to find an unconventional solution to a problem. Sometimes, it’s the best idea. Sometimes, it’s the dumbest, goofiest idea, but the goal is to make something that demands attention and leaves an impression. I like to believe that my ability to come up with concepts and execute them with a unique spin is what sets me apart
I’m proud of all of this. When I was a kid and making really bad drawings of Cable and Wolverine, I never thought I’d be able to turn it into a career that supports a family. I’m grateful everyday to be here.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Stop using that terrible, bastardized Studio Ghibli AI-filter. It’s an abomination.
And buy some prints from my store, please.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oliverbarrett.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliverbarrett/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/641340886443884
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/oliverbarrett/
Image Credits
Mondo, Lionsgate, Nike, Wieden + Kennedy, Boom! Studios, WWE, Universal, Limited Run Games, Collectionzz, The Cure, Penguin Randomhouse, Star Wars
