Sweet Summer Goodbye: An interview with Galleri Gallery artist Beau Carnes

On display at Meow Wolf Denver’s Galleri Gallery, Sweet Summer Goodbye feels like an ode to the childhood nostalgia of playtime by the pool and the iconography of pop culture from the early 2000s. 

As a fellow 90s kid, Beau Carnes’ paintings transport me back to summers at the neighborhood pool, with the smell of grass clippings in the air, glizzies on the grill, and Ring Pops a-plenty. Meow Wolf Denver Artist Liaison, Brandon Vargas and I had the chance to visit the studio of the Denver-based oil painter to see his creative laboratory and chat about his debut solo show, inspirations from life, and even meet his studio assistant, Lemon the dog!

The exhibition is on view at Meow Wolf Denver through October 15th, 2025. Entry is included with General Admission tickets.

Now, before your push pop melts, let’s dive into the questions: 

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How does it feel to be having your debut solo show at Meow Wolf Denver?

Beau: It’s honestly surreal. I just think about when I first started painting and I never imagined having a solo show. I found Meow Wolf inspiring and unbelievable when I went for the first time, so it’s a full circle moment to have this opportunity.

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What is it about Meow Wolf that feels like a good home for your work?

Beau: Meow Wolf is such a fun place that thrusts you into a different world. I see my paintings as building my own little world, so I think the setting couldn’t be more perfect. Everyone stepping into Meow Wolf is already suspending disbelief to exist in a massive living, breathing work of art. I hope this show adds to the enjoyment and experience.

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What attracted you to oil painting in the first place?

Beau: I think oil paint has this wonderful quality that you just know and feel when you’re in front of the work. It took me a while to figure that out. Every time I went to a museum or gallery, I was naturally drawn to pieces with the same label: oil on canvas (or linen). I had looked at so much art, and I finally accepted that I just loved oil paintings.

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What got you interested in taking painting as a serious venture for your life?

Beau: Painting is the art form that’s felt the most vulnerable and inspiring for me. I’m just as excited about it as the day I got my first paints and brushes. Painting was always attractive to me, but I didn’t understand where to begin. I’ve discovered that there are so many methods, styles, movements, and tools. Painting seems endless, so I’m going to spend the rest of my life seeing if there truly is no end.

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What are the core duties of your studio assistant pup, Lemon? 

Beau: Lemon is critical to the process. She is in charge of peaceful snoring sounds for the overall vibe and comfort. She keeps me on a schedule to ensure I’m not overworking myself. She also occasionally pipes in with a small yawn or tiny howl to give her opinion on what’s being worked on. She’s definitely the taste-maker of the house and a tough critic.

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You said you’ve always been a musician, how does your music and paintings come to life in your practice? Are they related projects, or totally different things to you?

Beau: Previously they never really cross-pollinated. For this show, I had a totally different approach. I would make snippets of music in between painting sessions. Those snippets would inform how I approach the next steps in a painting or even gave me ideas for new paintings. Then I would work the snippets into full songs while surrounded by the paintings in progress. For me, this show really is the long-overdue meeting of music and painting.

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Beau’s tracks are available for listening on all major platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube.

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Let’s talk about your glazing technique inspired by the Old Masters, does the same technique apply to donuts?

Beau: Glazing a donut the way I glaze would make it both stunning and likely inedible. Definitely gallery-worthy and less bakery-worthy. I use some organic/non-toxic pigments, but I’ve yet to taste any of them.

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What was the best summer memory of your youth? Did that inspire any of the paintings?

Beau: The summer my mom took me on her work trip to Baltimore. We went to the American Visionary Museum and spent 2 days in New York – that really changed my life. She made it a point to take me to MOMA and the Guggenheim. It really opened my eyes and allowed me to experience so much in so little time. That memory is still in my mind and played a part in these paintings.

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Dear Summer: Donut be sad, it’s not goodbye forever,  just see you later. 

The exhibition, Sweet Summer Goodbye, is on display at Galleri Gallery inside Meow Wolf Denver through October 15th, 2025. Entry is included with General Admission tickets. Artwork is available for purchase on our Galleri Gallery website here.

You can follow Beau Carnes on Instagram here.