We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandon Clarke a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brandon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The latest series of art pieces I have been working on are my most meaningful to date. When I am doing a art event I tell people, ” I use to paint pretty pictures, but not anymore.” My painting style started to change when I started to look inward about who I am as a person. Was I being true to myself when I create, or do I make paintings for people to put up on their walls? Based off of those questions I decided the canvas could become a note pad, or vessel for unpacking who I am as a person. Therefore, the concepts, materials, and brush strokes on the canvas became tools to express my deepest feelings.

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 inherited my artistic abilities from my grandmother, so I guess you can say I am a second-generation artist. My introduction to the art world was discovered in the back of my grandmother’s house where I used to paint with her. Although my style of painting differs from my grandmother, her teachings are ever present in my work. Thus, I sought fit to share my interpretation of art and life through the lenses of abstraction expression.

As time went on, I put down the paintbrush and diligently pursued a career path in architecture. With two master’s degrees from Hampton University Auburn University, I took a job position working for one of Miami’s most reputable architecture firms as a designer.

Within that position, I learned critical skills on how to communicate abstract concepts and translate them into physical space. This alongside my artistic background with my grandmothers’ painters’-hand, has given me a unique way to express my work.

My work aims to spark awareness and surprise to my viewer in order to encounter a fundamental question: “Who are you, really?” The main concept of my art explores all the dimensions of a traditional canvas. I do this by juxtaposing elegant paint strokes within the backside of the canvas to expose hidden messages. In addition, this technique expresses literally and metaphorically characteristics to imply the question of, “Who are we really within the framework of our lives?”

Furthermore, I apply other materials to the backside of the canvas such as plastics, card board, paper, and other materials to open up more opportunities to express authenticity through un-conventual material collaborations.

As I dove deeper into painting, the canvas became a mirror asking me deeper questions about my brokenness and identity. I knew art could be personal, but it is on another level when the creation comes from you. It was through my exploration of my “style” I found my true voice. Therefore, it became my personal mission that my art invite others to view and honor their brokenness so truth may have its way.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn to except that I wanted to be the best at what skills that I was given. I had to unlearn that I can contribute for a greater cause than myself . I had to believe that my short comings didn’t qualify me from having significance. You see, I struggled with rejection growing up as a kid. Later on in life I found out that fear was based off childhood trauma and that wasn’t the real me. The real me is bold, confident, and brave

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Have fun with your friends and go out to outdoor art festivals and market places. There are plenty of people young and old giving their shot to produce something for the masses. Talk to the artist and find out their store, art has more meaning when you understand the, WHY.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandonclarkedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonclarkedesigns/