Art Barela

Art Barela is a West Coast poet and a professional artist, illustrator, and environmental graphic designer. Art is a husband, father, grandfather, and proud family man to a large and growing tribe, he now works as a semi-retired independent writer and graphic artist from his home studio in the beautiful and expansive suburbs of Southern California. Art’s work/life experiences branches out from long stints in various construction fields, healthcare design, project management, architectural branding and advertising, community newsroom reporting and journalism, recreational art instruction, and a variety of creative ventures. Art is an avid and enthusiastic soccer fan, having spent forty plus years volunteering as a youth soccer coach, referee, instructor, and program administrator. As a compliment to producing many forms of creative visual imagery for many years, Art has also been expressing himself through a wider variety of creative writing outlets for most of his adult life. Art credits a remarkably gifted family of artistic mentors for helping him recognize the many open facets and countless opportunities that creative expression has helped to motivate, inspire, and encourage him throughout his personal and professional journeys.