Name: Robert Barrett
BYU employee since... Fall 1982
My job at BYU is… Professor of Illustration, Program Leader Illustration. As the Program Leader, I oversee all aspects of the program including curriculum management, student advisement, student portfolio reviews, program improvement requests, experiential learning opportunities, internships, guest lecturers, etc. I have some amazing colleagues who contribute significantly in all areas to the overall success of our program.
Currently, I’m working on… a 4' X 5' painting of "The Three Women at the Tomb." I'm also in the process of writing a book on head painting and color.
My mom and dad were both artists which sparked my interest in my field. I grew up in a home with lots of art books as well as large-format magazines that were lavishly illustrated by amazing artists. On family trips, we frequented art museums and other cultural venues.
I'm currently reading... The Pope's Ceiling by Ross King, which is about the creation of Michelangelo's frescoes for the Sistine Chapel.
The best advice I’ve ever got about teaching is… Try, on your worst day, to be better than your best student on their best day — that will keep you working, and working hard.
My favorite lecture to teach is… a demonstration on how to paint the human head in a two-hour time period.
When I have 30 minutes of free-time, you can find me… doing Family History research.
My favorite spot on campus is… the Museum of Art because there are always so many great artists and images to review and be inspired by.
You’ll never find me without… drawing and painting supplies nearby.
My favorite quote is… "Solving problems is what artists do. What skill could be more practical to society than the ability to solve problems simply and elegantly, with the least expenditure of time and energy?" by Sherrie McGraw.
One item on my bucket list is… A trip to Ireland because my Barrett line has been in America since the mid-1700s but originally came from County Cork, Ireland. I would love to visit the "land of my ancestors."
