We recently connected with Antonio Clark and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Antonio, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been able to earn a living from the beginning. It wasn’t the easiest from day one, that’s for sure. The biggest thing was expanding my view of the type of art that I put there, and advertise. Which made more doors open. The biggest thing that could have sped up the process, is having a PLAN, and getting mentorship.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a Baltimore born artist, who has done a little bit of everything in my years. I’ve done everything from work at Burger King, to be in the army for 8 yrs. Art has been a huge part of my life since i was 8 years old, which is when i started collecting comics. The art in the comics i read just made me want to replicate it myself.

When i was in middle school is when i really started diving deep into drawing. I was jealous of a friend who was older than me, and i was hooked since then. I aligned myself with others that liked to draw as well. We would sit around and draw from out favorite comics everyday after school. When I got to high school is when i actually saw myself as an ‘artist’. I drew every chance i got in my school. I did murals on the walls, and even drew my senior t-shirt.

It wasn’t until i was 35 that I actually started doing art as a full time career. Before that, i did comic book conventions and sold prints and built my humble following. Once i moved to NYC, i started working for corporations, and that was a huge change. This started from me drawing people on the train to past the time. I shared it on my social media, and the opportunity dropped in my lap. I’m most proud of working with weight watchers for 2 years prior to the pandemic. Those years not only increased my experience and following. It also gave me a new direction with my art.

Instead of simply drawing my fav fictional characters i grew up reading. I now saw what my art can truly do. It could make someone believe in themself. Show them something they never saw. It could be used to honor a loved one that was lost. It could inspire the youth to follow their dreams. So my main goal in life as an artist, is to spread as much joy and happiness in this world, one drawing at a time. Art is my vehicle for change , and I’m driving it at top speed!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best thing society can do to support artists is simply recognize its dependancy on art to function. ART IS IN EVERYTHING! I believe God everything on this planet, so we’re ALL walking pieces of art. The building, the cars, the clothes, the tech, the toys, and everything else comes from an artists hand FIRST. Your favorite sports mascot, your favorite product logo, all came from an artists hand. Society wants to treat us like we’re all these weird people wearing funky clothes and throwing paint at a canvas. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Art pushes this thing call technology forward. Art is so important, it’s even on the walls of cavemen. So i wish society simply gave artists their flowers, pay them properly, and stop acting like it’s easy to actual make GOOD and thoughtful art. Cause it’s not.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal at this point is two-fold. One is to spread as much joy on this planet one drawing at a time. Art can change a mood in an instant. You hear a song, see a pretty picture, see clothes you like, or your favorite dish prepared. All are forms of art we absorb and NEED everyday! So it’s my desire to use my art to increase the smiles and joy in this world.

Second thing is to make the art world give proper reverence to ALL forms of art. Not just what they deem as ‘fine art’. How pathetic and belittling is it to only want to hold certain types of art up, and down others? How can you look at art that you KNOW someone put time and effort into, and scoff at it because it doesn’t look how you want? I don’t want everyone to like every piece of art they see. It’s impossible and crazy to want. My thing is simply to let ALL kinds of be in the same place and be observed and enjoyed. Alex Ross is one of my favorite artists. When i go to the Moma, or the MET, i don’t see his artwork anywhere, and it’s shame. So my mission is to make the art community love comic, fantasy, sci-if, anime art , the same way they like a Jackson polick style painting.

Contact Info:

• Website: antonioclark.com
• Instagram: Antonio.clark.art
• Facebook: Art of Antonio clark
• Linkedin: Antonio clark
• Twitter: Antonioclarkart
• Youtube: Antonio.clark.art01