Meet Gavin Barrett | Builder, designer and artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gavin Barrett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gavin, why did you pursue a creative career?
Creating something from inception to completion holds a very special place in my heart. When I was figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, I kept in the mind that I wanted to do something that somehow gave back and made people happy. In creating a piece of artwork and delivering it to a client, the excitement and joy it brings for years to come is what pushes me to not only continue to work on my craft but also stand strong in my artistic career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After graduating from the Art Institute noho, I had a plan and idea to pursue a career in furniture design. GB Designs started at the local Fairfax High School flea market. In 5 months and was able to to produce twenty five furniture pieces all inspired by sunny california beach life. The collection consisted of daybeds, patio chairs, two seat couches and ottomans. The plan was to attend the flea market and get some exposure/ feedback from the event. Little did I know my work was a hit and I sold all 25 pieces in addition to going home with a couple custom orders. This marked the beginning of a journey that’s had many obstacles and to overcome. The road I chose has definitely been unorthodox but rewarding. My work space has always been a challenging- I went from building under a 10×10 pop up tent in my grandfather’s backyard, to my mom’s garage with limited work hours. Eventually as my craftsmanship got better and projects became more consistent and I was able to rent a shop space in downtown LA. A true passion to create, persistence and desire to share my talent with the world has kept me moving forward day after day. My work is unique in the sense that I approach my projects in a unorthodox way, similar an abstract painting. I start with the general dimensions and a basic idea of what I’m building (chair, bookcase, bed frame) then start cutting. As the piece progresses it takes on its own very unique design. A plan without a plan. I’d like the world to know that everything is possible and if you stay persistent and positive. You can truly achieve any goal you set your mind to.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d probably start their trip with a morning hike at Runyon Canyon or maybe the Griffith Park Observatory. They are classic to the “LA experience” and it would give them a full view of the area before exploring all the different neighborhoods the city has to offer. From the peak at Runyon Canyon you can see a majority of the city, including Hollywood, Century City, the iconic Hollywood sign, the Downtown LA skyline, and the Pacific Ocean. That view would be our tour guide to pick and choose what they’d like to experience. The dining options in LA are endless, it would be a toss up with some LA classics like Dulans soul food kitchen so they can get a feel for LA’s southern cuisine. The farmers market on third street has a big variety of eats and would give them a idea of what our outdoor markets are like. The beverly center and weho are right up the street so we’d make a day out of that. The pacific coast highway is always on list of things to do, you get to check out Santa Monica and end end at malibu farms for lunch. LA is such a large and diverse place, it’s hard to pick and choose what to experience in just a week, but these are some of my favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly, I definitely would like to shout out a professor I had at the Art Institute of North Hollywood. Professor Trefoni Michael Rizzi instilled in me resilience, attention to detail, and perseverance. At the time, most students weren’t his biggest fan due to the passionate nature of his teaching methods, but in all honestly he was preparing us for the reality of what it takes to make in the creative/entertainment industry. He pushed me and never let up for the entirety of my time at the Art Institute and I thank him eternally for that.

Secondly, I’d like to shout out a good friend of mine Mo Osunbor. He is currently doing big things as a Creative Director over at @tbwachiatla. Through his trust and support in me being a Build Lead in the @buildaseatproject, for two consecutive years, we were able to bring large scale art from Los Angeles to Black Rock Desert, Nevada to @BurningMan. The lessons, personal revelations, and encouragement I received during my experience were life changing and I can’t thank Mo enough for including me in that awe inspiring experience.

Instagram: gavinbarrettdesign

Image Credits
All images were captured by myself or build a seat crew member.