Toronto. 29. Alberta College of Art and Design -BFA in painting 2007. www.wilfordbarrington.blogspot.com

I draw people from direct observation. The conversation I have with them during the portrait sitting along with the different expressions and emotions they convey inform how the portraits look. I depict an array of attitudes that will give the viewer insight as to the true nature of the sitter thereby creating an image that holds significance beyond their name and identity alone. They are essentially about how we get to ‘know’ someone, how we connect and what we honestly see when we look at a person. People are fluid creatures that do not sit still and their faces act as a window into a constantly changing stew of thoughts and emotions. What I see in a few hours can say so much about a person’s entire life. They capture so much more than a photograph.

Right now I am super interested in the animation work of Chuck Jones and Max Fleisher.

Both. I love all food. I never turn down a meal.

I usually have to accommodate whomever I am drawing. About half the time they stand me up and I have to reschedule. It used to make me furious, but I have grown to accept that people are flaky, and sometimes things just come up. Also, spending three or four hours in a room being heavily scrutinized by someone (even if they know me) is not how most people would like to spend there free time. Luckily Canadians are polite and often will never say no even if they honestly don’t want to sit for me. I also have the advantage that nobody draws portraits from life that are any good anymore (with one or two exceptions) so for 99% of my sitters it’s a new experience.

I prefer no music during the sittings because the conversation I have with the sitters during the drawing reveals everything.

No comment.

Music. I am always thirsty for new music. The amount of recorded music available right now is infinite so I never get tired of discovering new bands and musicians from all genres. Right now I am subletting a bedroom from this guy from the Canadian hardcore band “Brutal Knights” while he tours Europe. He is a huge music enthusiast and his collection is massive, so basically I’m in heaven at the moment. This week I’m obsessed with Whitehouse, Roky Erickson, and Bon Scott era ACDC.

More money means I can make more artwork and explore more possibilities. I would travel more and seek out more people to draw. I would set up a larger studio somewhere and start working on portrait sculptures, larger, more time consuming works. Right now my work is limited by access to space and resources. Limitation is good though, as it causes me to be more creative with what I have. Because I am not a rich artist, I can draw who I wish without money affecting their perception of me. If you gave me a million bucks I would not tell anyone.

I honestly haven’t been out of the city in a long time. I would like to go for a hike somewhere beautiful with a friend and pack a lunch. It's a nice time of year to take LSD.

I just moved to Toronto a few months ago from Calgary. Right now I love the consistent weather here. Calgary’s weather is shitty and always changing. Its fall now and the trees are all turning. It’s beautiful. There are also a lot of fascinating people here. I don’t know how long I will stay, I want to keep traveling and meeting new and interesting people to draw but for now Toronto is a positive change for sure.

I feel like an extraordinarily lucky person. Aside from waving the finger at Conservatives in my country and Republicans in yours for fucking the world up huge, today I don't have much shit to talk. Just stay out of my way and let me do my thing man.

Right now I am working on a book of portrait drawings with design stud Barr Gilmore. He is the nicest man and does the best artist books in the world. He has done catalogues for everyone from Damien Hurst to Picasso. It’s a huge honor to be working with him. Right now that book is my main focus. There will be an exhibition to accompany the book launch, but I haven’t found the right venue yet. I am sure that will happen once the book comes together.