Welcome to my little corner of the web.
For me, one of the most gratifying aspects of being an artist is that it allows me to communicate and connect with people in a rather unique way. Painting, in this way, has sort of been my means of getting out and mingling with people, my ticket to the outside world. My portraits have opened doors into peoples homes. My illustrations have taken me into the marketplace and beyond. My paintings have granted me passage into galleries and the realm of the fine arts. And now, through the wonder of the internet, my work is literally being seen by people around the world. While I have been privileged to have my art featured on various sites in recent years, I am thrilled to have this exciting new forum of my own through which to say "hello" to the big wide beautiful world at large.

So, big wide beautiful world... hello.

I've chosen to title this site "Through a Glass Darkly" for several reasons. One reason is that, as a Christian attempting at times to express various aspects of God and biblical truth through the arts, I find it a delicious challenge to try to tease meaningful images from the cloudy glass through which our mortal minds behold the Divine. Secondly, because of my particular bend toward gothic, dreamlike imagery, I generally tend to see and depict the mysterious, shadowy side of whatever subject I'm painting. Thirdly, as the word "glass" can be interpreted "mirror," I like the suggestion that my work has the capability (as does any art, of any medium) to reflect, to at times reveal things in the dark corners of the viewer's own heart, mind or soul that he or she might not otherwise see.

In regards to my art itself, it's... well, I'll leave it to speak for itself. Let's get on with it already.

Before I leave you to your browsing, however, I would like to take this opportunity to say a few thank you's. First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - for burning through the clouds in my soul, and giving me eyes to see. I also want to thank Gary Bodnar - "friendship" doesn't even begin to describe it - for co-designing and building this site (so patiently, so beautifully). And, finally, a special thank you to all my family, friends and supporters, who have over the years encouraged me to continue to look through the dark glass, and press on toward the light on the other side. My name may appear on the paintings, but your names are woven into every canvas. There truly are no words to express my gratitude.

Once again I welcome you, one and all. Feel free to stay as long as you like, and please do come back and visit again. May the light of God's love warm the shadows of your hearts, and may you find his beauty on every side, in all life's precious little details.

© Copyright 2001 by Kevin Barnes. All rights reserved. Please Note: All artwork contained in this site is protected under the applicable copyright laws, and may not be reproduced in any way, shape or form without the express written consent of the artist. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.