Art & Life with Clyde

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clyde.

Clyde, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started painting murals in 2012 through the influence of graffiti and architecture. I was 18 when I realized my passion for architecture but had never been involved in any creative practice; except for my terrible typography displayed onto public infrastructure. At this point, attending Mesa Community College I decided I need to take up a productive hobby that could improve my creative skills. I was already familiar with the spray-paint can so I decided I was going to start doing graffiti “art” that would enhance spaces in the city I thought were barren and cold.

I would set up a ladder, tape off windows, and paint murals in high traffic public spaces in the middle of the day. I’d talk with bystanders, security, and even police that came to admire the work. This was all done illegally so eventually came the day I was caught by a business owner while painting an illegal 2-story mural in 2014. The business owner was obviously outraged, but mostly stunned. Luckily the owner was open minded enough to let me finish the mural which still exists on the University Inns on 9th St, & Mill Ave in Tempe. After this altercation he landed me my first legal mural commission.

Since then I have put up murals in Switzerland, France, England, and Ireland. I enjoyed the thrill of the plan and execution of getting away with painting and then leaving something for the rest of the public to (hopefully) enjoy, provoke thought, and leave a sense of wonder. I began painting as a full-time artist in August of 2017.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create large-scale murals with freehand spray-paint. I often paint people in a moment of thought in the midst of their surrounding environment. I think too many people go about their day so routinely that they fail to observe so many beautiful, or odd, or new elements placed right in front of them. Every movement in life is a new opportunity for inspiration. My head is on a constant swivel when I go anywhere and I find there is so much more to look at than what meets the eye. When I paint people into these normal seeming environments I like to find a way to include an irregular pattern or distortion that catches the viewers eye and forces them to observe the painting/mural a little closer. These distortions to me represent moments you can’t capture with a photo or put into words. It’s the light bulb that lights up above your head when you’re doing the dishes.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I think the role of the artist has stayed the same through the beginning of time. The arts create culture and culture creates economic growth because people migrate to cool places. I don’t paint anything politically influenced, but I do hope for my art to play a role in my local (Tempe) politics. Tempe is a city filled of creatives and inspiring artists that have the ability to create a unique culture here. However, it seems that the city of Tempe has put money, profit, and people who will live here for 4 years ahead of its lifetime locals. This place is starting to look like a sample catalogue for developers. I want to find a way for Tempe to include our creatives and locals into their future. If we’re going to have big buildings to add thousands to the population, why not create a population that wants to add to the city by providing their skills and innovation to a place where they can develop in long term to create a real buoyant economy.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My murals are primarily In Tempe and Uptown Phoenix. If you want to find any of my remaining murals, I include the locations on my Instagram and Facebook page @clyde_graffitiart. The best way to support me is to simply follow my social media pages and if you’d like to commission any artwork from me, you can book on my website www.clyde.gallery.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clyde.gallery
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clyde_graffitiart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clydegraffitiart/

Image Credit:
Clyde

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