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J. Tipton Barnes exudes a passion for life and an adventurous, inquisitive nature. That spirit translates directly into his art: it is full of life because he is. Never one to sit on the sidelines, he experiences his subject matters first-hand before preserving them with metal or on canvas. In order to capture the energy of the object or theme he dives in first: he feels it, he smells it, he observes it, and he participates.

A multi-talented artist, J. Tipton creates with an understanding of the subject matter and a diligent observation of its finite qualities. Every piece is further culmination of his life's work as he takes what is learned to add strength to his next creation. His subjects are caressed with an intense respect for the person, place or thing. Beyond life-like, they exude a creatively designed realism. True masterpieces, each work is completely irreproducible - just like J. Tipton Barnes himself.

The consummate husband and family man, J. Tipton Barnes resides in Lubbock, Texas, while his art is shown in galleries around his home state and in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades and his distinct works are displayed in various locales: Texas, New Mexico, New York, Georgia and California among them. His works have been featured in numerous publications such as The Washington Post, The San Antonio Express News, Texas Highways magazine and the Houston Chronicle. He is available for commissioned work.

I have always gravitated towards the romanticized old west, often reflecting it with my work. I use non-traditional materials like mild steel or stainless steel in my sculptures. The combination of which subject matter I choose at the time and the natural patina of steel help tell a story in every representation of my art. I love working in metal and I feel there is something "alive" about it. I want people to look at my work and feel like it could reach out and touch them. I hope this in turn makes them want to reach out and touch my sculptures.

All art I create is unique and cannot be reproduced. My sculptures, while as detailed and refined as a bronze sculpture, are truly unique and set apart. This is not merely welded metal. Instead, it is a unique form of hand-forging that allows each piece a personality, coloring and character that is truly different and special, and truly something stagnant bronze can never achieve or aspire to be.

Each piece is 100% hand wrought and worked and is never machine manipulated. While time consuming, it allows a finished product that shines above other styles. Depending on the subject matter, I might leave the weld lines intact or I might grind them down to make the pieces flow together in a smoother manner. The painstaking effort I put into each piece results in a one-of-a-kind piece that will stand the test of time in both aesthetic and monetary value.

I was born in Louisiana, but moved shortly to Texas in my early formulative years. From a young age I excelled at oil painting and clay modeling, and then continued my education in Fine Art at the University of Texas and Angelo State University. In my early twenties I was introduced to steel and my creativity exploded. What can I say: it felt right in my hands. I could cut it, bend it, shape it, weld it; and if I didn't like what I had, I could pull out the torch and start over. I had found where I belong.