Barry
Schroeder
1. Welcome Shinee to The Influx Gallery family. Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are from?
I was born in Minnesota. I grew up in the midwest and migrated south to Austin, Texas in 1994. I
lived in Austin for 25 years and moved to Denver, CO just over 3 years ago. I was recently engaged to
my girlfriend Lauren back in August, so very excited about our future life together! I enjoy hiking,
camping, travelling, and taking photos of things that inspire me. I love the mountains and we have a
Golden Retriever puppy named Poppy, who is an absolute handful right now!
2. Were your family supportive of you deciding to become an artist?
Yes. My parents always supported anything I chose to pursue in life, but I don’t think they really ever
understood most of my abstract creations. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had such
unconditional love and support from both of my parents.
3. Was there anything specific that you can remember that made you want to become an artist?
I used to create my own T-shirts when I was younger, by way of freestyle spray painting different
designs onto white shirts. One of my friends asked me one day if I had ever tried painting something
on canvas. I said no, but I’m going to get a canvas and try it! I painted my first creation on a small
canvas using acrylic paints and absolutely fell in love with the creative journey. My journey just kept
evolving from that point on.
4. Did your schooling or work affect your creative development in any way?
Yes. I worked for a marble and granite company for about 15 years while living in Austin. I was
instantly drawn to the beauty of natural stone. It still amazes me the beautiful things that our planet
creates! I started making art pieces/sculptures out of the stone remnants and started to sell a few
pieces here and there. That led me to start experimenting with mixing mediums and pushing the
boundaries of what I could sculpt and make my visions come to life. That period of time really
reinforced my creative spirit and pushed me to start creating digital artwork.
5. When did you first discover digital art?
I first started creating digital art just over 3 years ago after I moved to Colorado, right before Covid hit
the world. I used all of the quarantine time to start creating digital art and experimenting with
different apps and programs.
6. Are you very hands on with the processing of digital files?
Yes. I am constantly reviewing and editing my work until it looks like the vision I am trying to create.
Most of the time it comes together pretty quickly but there are hundreds of projects that I put aside
when they frustrate me, and revisit at a later date…as I’m sure most artists can relate to.
7. Can you tell us a little about your favourite personal piece / artwork?
It’s hard to pick just one favourite because I have time attached to everything I create, but one of my
favourite digital creations is titled “The Enchantment” This piece started out as a beautiful photo
that I took in a forest outside of San Francisco, CA. It was such a special day and the weather was
perfect! It was like strolling through a magical place that no one had ever been before. Everytime I
look at this one, it takes me back to that magical afternoon!
8. Could you give us a little teaser as to the process that enables you to produce such far out work,
altering the perception and realities of your audience through the use of digital abstract expression?
I’ve always been an observer. I am intrigued and guided by original things that I have never seen
before. Unique things always catch my eye. I generally am not seeking out an image, they just seem
to find me. I just see things differently than most other people might see it. I usually start creating
and tweaking from a photo I’ve taken out in nature, architecture, lighting…etc. Ultimately I create an
image that I would hang on my own walls.
9. Where do you get your inspiration and influences from?
My main source of inspiration comes from other artists. I am very grateful to be living in a time with
so many other amazing artists in the world! Technology is constantly changing and evolving and
inspiring many artists to explore new ways to transform their visions into life. I also get very inspired
by nature. If I’m ever in need of new inspiration, or a re-set, I get out into nature somewhere. When
I can get away from the hustle of everyday life and just enjoy the silence, it clears my mind and my
soul, allowing my creative energy to recharge.
10. You are a strong presence in the exciting new world of NFT’s. Could you give us a little insight into
this world?
That’s a challenging question for me to answer because this area is still so new to me and I have
much to learn about the NFT world. I really just try to stay focused on creating and hope that it
moves someone enough that they want to have it in their lives. I do love the freedom that the
platform gives digital artists to express themselves, and possibly make a living at what we love
doing…Creating Art!!
11. Do you have any tips for any inspiring artist who is using software, drawing, sculpting, or picking
up a camera for the first time?
That’s a great question. I can only offer what I find works for me. Everyone is so completely different
in their process and habits of creation. There is no one right way to create. You have to find what
works for you. I like to keep things simple. I try not to get too set on one path because there are so
many ways to get to the final result. By allowing myself to adapt and change in the middle of a
project, it often leads to something even better that I had not even envisioned. My best advice is to
not get trapped inside of a box! There are no rules in the creative world!