PHOTO: Robert Barrett with Gale Halverson, the real 'Candy Bomber' featured in Christmas from Heaven.
Robert T. Barrett, a professor of visual arts at Brigham Young University, has four illustrations that have been accepted into the Society of Illustrators 52nd Illustration West Competition.
Two of the pieces accepted have won awards in the contest. The cover of the book Christmas from Heaven received an Honorable Mention Award. Another illustration from the same book received the Bronze Award.
BYU encourages its faculty to be active in their discipline throughout their lives, and three years ago Barrett started to require students in his senior studio class to enter two real competitions during the semester.
“I try to set the example. Not, ‘Do as I say,’ but ‘Do as I do,’” Barrett said.
His works from Christmas in Heaven, along with two others will be featured at Center Stage Gallery in Burbank, Calif., this March.
Through the years Barrett has illustrated across a wide array of genres; he has drawn portraits of past church leaders, created breath-taking pictures of Christ, made deeply emotional sketches of scriptural events and has even provided illustrations for books about President Barack Obama and his wife. But he’s grateful for every opportunity he has to have his work selected for competitions.
“It’s good to know that after 31 1/2 years here at BYU that my work is still credible,” Barrett said with a smile. “It sort of gives you peer review.”
Barrett has been teacher at Brigham Young University for 31 years, all the while creating thousands of illustrations, for which he has received well over 50 awards. While Barrett’s paintings may appeal to the all kinds of people, he has always tried to make his illustrations meaningful to himself. He said he would continue to do so.
“These are three of my sons,” said Barrett, laughing as he gestured toward a drawing in his office. The image portrays three soldiers carrying military gear. “I have 10 children, so I have a lot of models.”