Barrett Lizza

The first time I walked through the door of Barrett Lizza’s studio, I felt like I’d been transported beyond the Pacific Northwest. Metal and wood fused furniture, vintage toys, old school devices stitched together to form new contraptions, and other items I couldn’t identify were arranged around a space draped with colorful fabrics. It looked like a cross between a maker space, curiosities shop, and Burning Man camp. I couldn’t help but feel like I fell down the rabbit hole. Barrett’s little corner of the world, hidden in the basement of a salon at the edge of town, reminded me of the creative energy Berkeley had when I first moved there, when I felt like I had found my people and my place in the world—the first time I was excited about a place. 

Over the years Berkeley grew up. Many of the artists I knew moved away, and the venues and events supported by them dried up. My excitement for the city faded, yet I stayed like I was trapped in a loveless marriage. I didn’t know where else I could experience the same surprising, unconventional, and whimsical maker scene I had known and loved. Years went by. I began to question if I would ever experience the same feeling of belonging again, or if I had to accept that this moment in my life had passed. I wondered if I could learn to move on, or if I would forever be in love with something that no longer exists. Standing in the middle of Barrett’s unusual, eclectic space, a little bit of hope crept into my heart. What if Barrett was just the tip of the iceberg? What if the unassuming little city I’d landed in had more artists like this? Cautiously I asked myself “What if I’ve found what I thought I’d lost forever?”

Barrett Lizza was the first new artist that I met in Bellingham, Washington. He’s the first artist that I hadn’t already known for years that joined the Washington Artist Collection. He was also my first formal in-person user test participant for Contribute.to. So it’s only fitting that Barrett be the first person I write about for The100DayProject challenge.

Barrett embodies the playful creative spirit I encountered during my early years in Berkeley. He’s a polymath—a talented musician, woodworker, filmmaker, painter, crafter, inventor—and given that I learn about a new skill of his every time we talk, I’m guessing he has a bunch of other talents I’ve yet to discover. In addition to being creative, capable, and talented, he’s a soft-spoken, humble, teddybear of a man. He is, at his core, what I consider to be a true artist: someone with a unique perspective, who enjoys developing clever ways to communicate that perspective.

I asked Barrett if he could share some of his work and answer a few questions. Here’s a glimpse into the mind of Bellingham’s distinctively quirky renaissance man.

I created it with materials found around where I live. It is made out of an old projector case, two mini light fixers, one outdoor light fixture, and, actually, a fixture found in an old hotel. On top of being a source of light and an interesting talking piece, it has bluetooth capability. Installed inside, there is a bluetooth amp with high quality speakers.

I crafted wooden shells for the speakers and a knob for each light, then affixed them to the case. For the finishing touches, I laser-printed Masonic symbols onto the knobs, bringing it all together. Lots of wiring!

The Masonic gives me joy with an Indiana Jones feel of adventure.

It took me two days to build properly, but many other “fun” days on the hunt for materials.

It takes modern technology and mixes it with the past. I love this concept.

How do you describe the work you do? 

Mixed media chaotic neutral

Why do you do the work you do? 

I believe in doing what makes you happy. Spreading love, joy and wonderment to others. To create atmospheres and contraptions, art and oddities that make people question. I do this for my own amusement, but also for the people. I am a showman at heart.

I wish throughout my experience I would have not listened to the people saying art is pointless and not a career.

When and why did you start creating art in general? 

I started when I was young, not really knowing what I was doing. Well, I guess as it turns out, it was art. I would make use of the materials around me to create something out of nothing.

When I was 13 my father passed away and I had an epiphany that life is a fragile thing, and that you must fill your life with what moves you. This moment has stuck with me from that day forward.

When and why did you start creating the type of work you’re creating now?

I got found by a company around 2015 in Oakland that discovered my ability to create unique structures, strange art, and confusing lamps. They had me designing and building for large music festivals and VIP rooms.

Coming from a small town, my mind exploded with influence. I would fly just about every month for them, going to different locations to build pieces on-site. This sparked my creativity to create pieces, like what I was building for festivals, but locally! And more on my own terms, of course.

I now have a workshop and gallery right in historic Fairhaven of Bellingham, WA. I spend my days building abstract art as well as functional art for everyone.

What are you most proud of in your life?

At the moment I’m very proud of doing what I enjoy and living this beautiful life.

Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

I wish throughout my experience I would have not listened to the people saying art is pointless and not a career.

What else would you like the world to know about you?

Hmm.. well, my first love of my life was music and to this day I play in a local band called DUOS. I play guitar, sing and drums so does the other band mate we switch around during our set, very fun. I also at one time tried making aquaponics systems that could be shipped in shipping containers for humanitarian aid, and now sometimes integrate aquaponics into functional art. I have a podcast down in the studio called The Idea Academy. I am a proud father of two boys, one 9-year-old—Parker—and the other is a 7-month-old named Ronan. I have a beautiful artistic wife named Bronwen, she is so amazing at dealing with my lifestyle. There are so many things. But let’s just leave it at that for now.