Contemporary art encompasses a variety of unconventional forms, but few artists have inhabited Richard Payne’s chosen canvas — the human head.
The owner of Smashing the City: Barbershop on O’Neal Lane specializes in cutting and painting elaborate hair designs, with one of his signatures being the University-inspired tiger eye.
Payne said the idea to cut and paint full-scale images came after he noticed a trend among his younger customers who began sporting short, parallel lines in their hair. The popularity of the small design technique inspired Payne to experiment with more.
“I wondered if I can take this picture of these stars or this lightning bolt and put in this guy’s head besides boring lines,” he said.
As his craft developed, Payne said he began to delve into cutting more complicated and detailed designs. He said two of his most elaborate works were a multi-colored replica of the Angry Birds and a recreation of the Chicago Bulls’ signature mascot.
Payne said patrons bring a picture of their chosen design and hold it as he traces the photo into their scalp. With every new picture, there comes a new challenge, he said.
“It’s not like I get to erase or anything,” he said. “It’s kind of a rush.”
The process begins with Payne cutting the hair low enough that a razor only has to gently graze the scalp for hair to fall. He then lathers the hair with a special mixture of soap, shampoo and aftershave, and he begins sculpting with a double-head razor.
After a thorough wash to rid the design of excess hair and debris, Payne uses a paint pen to add color.
The cost for each design varies, depending on how much time it takes for him to complete it.
The fusion of art and barbering isn’t a coincidence for Payne. He said he developed a passion for art as a child and planned to pursue a career in the field. Cutting hair was only a hobby.
“I’m an artist at heart,” he said. “Hair cutting is cool, kind of like second-nature, but actually drawing in people’s head is a challenge.”
Payne started cutting hair in 2007 in hopes of receiving his license through apprenticeship. But he later decided to attend barber school, where he graduated within nine months.
Payne said his decision to become a barber was mainly the result of the inspiration he received from his mom, a professional stylist, and his uncle, also a barber.
“I saw the freedom they got by doing it, and I wanted that freedom, being able to call the shots,” he said.
After opening his own barbershop, Payne said he noticed an increase in business shortly after the Super Bowl. He attributed the new, diverse clientele to the publicity he had been receiving for his fleur de lis design.
Payne was called to the set of WAFB to cut the Saints-inspired design into news anchor Graham Ulkins’ hair. A series of bets resulted in him cutting the same design into the hair of his child’s principal and former 94.1 radio host Tony King.
Aside from those who lose bets, Payne said high school and college students usually request a design.
The self-proclaimed die-hard LSU fan said he would like to bring his craft to Tiger Stadium. He said shaving a tiger eye or “LSU” into a school official’s head would be a dream come true.
