
Welcome To Cascadia
Artwork by Joel Barber
Joel Barber is a technician, rendering subtle illustrative narratives with many layers of pattern and visual texture that are worked out in elaborate processes and experiments. In this series, Joel draws inspiration from classic Japanese printmaking, disaster dreams, science fiction, Pacific Northwest wildlife and the volcanos of our Cascade Range. Joel is an Oregon native and Portland local.
"I'm intrigued by the balance between surface treatment and the content of the piece. I want evolved images that are both expressive and narrative."
“At it’s simplest, I wanted to draw our volcanos exploding around us; however, it turned into a collection of serene and quiet scenes in the midst of destruction and cataclysmic events. I think subconscious metaphors work their way into everything.”
Interested in booking or purchasing?
This series is acrylic paint on wood panel. It's worth noting that all visible woodgrain is paint, all images are rendered with no collage or actual visible wood. Some iridescent and metallic effects are not translated in photos. Please visit the pieces in person if you have the opportunity!
Welcome To Cascadia (Elk), acrylic paint on wood, 32x48 inches
Would you like to see a diagram of the stencils used in the elk painting above? Click Here.
Blast Zone, acrylic on wood, 18x12 inches
Elk (Cairn), acrylic on wood, 24x36 inches
Patina Owl, acrylic on wood, 12x18 inches
Seekers (Dome), acrylic on wood, 24x36 inches
Unkindness Of Ravens, acrylic on wood, 12x18 inches
Valley Dome, acrylic on wood, 12x18 inches
Post-Seattle, acrylic on wood, 24x36
Blue Heron, acrylic on wood, 12x18 inches
Cascades (3 Volcanos), acrylic on wood, 36x24 inches
Dusk Ravens, acrylic on wood, 12x18 inches
Welcome To Cascadia, acrylic paint and assemblage on wood, 36 x 24 inches
(Collaboration with Heather DeWitt)
This series is painted on mahogany wood panels, although all of the woodgrain pattern that you see is hand painted and often metallic or iridescent. I write about process on my blog.
Hunter, acrylic paint on wood, 24 x 36 inches
Migration, acrylic paint on wood, 24 x 36 inches
This piece features a dramatic iridescent color shift and metallic elements.
This series is influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. Read more about it on my blog.
Seekers, acrylic paint on wood, 24 x 36 inches
Alder Beetle, acrylic paint on wood, 24 x 36 inches
Post-Seattle, acrylic paint on wood, 24 x 36 inches
A View Of Mount Fuji, acrylic paint on wood, 24 x 36 inches
Mt. Hood (Dragon Eruption), acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 40 inches
Mt. Saint Helens (Dragon Eruption), acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 40 inches
The Bubble, acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 24 inches
Blue Crane, acrylic paint on wood, 12 x 18 inches
Glow Koi, acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 40 inches
(Collaboration with Natalie Oswald)
The Koi fish glows in the dark or black light.
Owl, acrylic paint on wood, 12 x 12 inches
Vantage Point, acrylic paint on wood, 16 x 30 inches
New Congress, acrylic paint on wood, 12 x 18 inches
Cannon Beach, acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 24 inches
Squid Versus Whale, acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 24 inches
Cascadia, acrylic paint on wood, 24 x 18 inches
Watcher, acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 40 inches
Dome, acrylic paint on wood, 12 x 12 inches
Fire Crane, acrylic paint on wood, 18 x24 inches
(Collaboration with Heidi Elise Wirz)
Unkindness, acrylic paint on wood, 12 x 12 inches
Shogun Showdown, acrylic paint on wood, 16 x 30 inches
The Way, acrylic paint on wood, 18 x 18
(Collaboration with Jonathan Luczycki)
The Cascadians, linoleum print on paper, 12 x12 inches
Limited handprinted edition of fifteen
Owl, linoleum print on paper, 8 x 8 inches
Limited handprinted edition of 25
Squid Vs. Whale, ink and acrylic paint on illustration board, 13 x 15 inches
Cascadia Owl, linoleum print and acrylic paint on wood,
12 x 12 inches
Contact Info
For pricing or exhibition booking please email Joel Barber. Thank you for visiting!