We were lucky to catch up with Jean Clarke recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jean , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Seriously? When you choose a creative career, your whole life is risk. This life-path is in no way algebraic. If you’re in any way fond of security, comfort, or a predictable outcome, knock on a different door. But then I don’t think anyone really chooses art; it chooses you. Art is inevitable in some lives and hard, if not impossible, to escape. Ultimately I believe it’s a calling – like medicine – and that the individual will not truly be fulfilled unless they pursue it. Still, there is that moment, or moments, in the life of a creator when they must decide – when they commit to it wholly and plow ahead, regardless of outcome. I somehow knew early in life that I was not cut out for ‘nine-to-five’ in an office; art wasn’t a casual decision for me. But I’ve had to prove myself over and over. I was told many times at the beginning that I had no talent – I was literally the only person who believed in me. I credit a really obstinate personality for my ability to hang on, though there were times I felt like I was dangling from a ledge by the fingernails. But I did hang on and took any opportunity that presented itself, even when I wasn’t sure I was up to it. I’ve worked in many forms of art, some concurrently. I was an actor and a writer at the same time and a fine artist during my years in both. And in fine art I’ve been a painter, sculptor, potter and photographer, separately and all-at-once. As a writer I’ve written and edited for television, have authored five books, and published free-verse as well. But it’s been a life fraught with insecurity, rejections, and uncertainty along with the almost indescribable joy of creating something that didn’t exist before I made it. That of course, is the pay-off. And for me, it’s been worth it. But for family and friends who were destined for more stable careers, my roller-coaster life has been a source of both amazement and at times, blood-chilling terror. (laughing here) I don’t recommend it unless one cannot possibly envision another path. In which case, I recommend it heartily!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Well, I wrote my first two books not simply because I love language and arranging words on paper but to clarify my place in the world I was growing up in, to understand myself as someone on the autism spectrum (not diagnosed till later), and to examine my almost comically dysfunctional family. I followed it up with a sequel when I saw how well it resonated, with educators in particular. So I’m appalled by the dropping of art education in so many of our public schools. Now, more than ever, we need the inspiration and beauty that art and music have always brought the world. We need to encourage invention, daring, and broad-mindedness in our children and to remind people of our shared traits and values – across cultures, races, and life-choices. In painting and sculpture I express ideas and emotion, both visually and subliminally. I hope to create something that lifts and inspires, that makes us think or makes us laugh. I love creating – expressing – the human condition, and I hope that what people see brightens or informs their own world.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Though the two ways of life might seem very different there are core values that unite everyone’s journey. I think everyone longs to live a happy life. And though we learn happiness isn’t possible every moment, as humans we function better when we’re in-sync with ourselves and the world around us. From childhood I’ve had a profound understanding of the importance of the use of time. However we define time it’s the element we exist in on Earth and must learn to put to the best possible use. Knowing this, the idea of how I spent my precious allotment of time seemed my most important endeavor and I thought most about what I wanted to work at, since work was inevitable (not having been born into wealth). How I was going to spend my days was of utmost importance. I could not bear the thought of landing in the wrong profession and finding myself at the end of life feeling that I had squandered my time. I knew a few things about myself and began from there. I knew that I needed to work mostly on my own, that I was my best supervisor. I knew that I had the bull-headed tenacity to hyper-focus on anything I felt great passion about. I was also extremely curious, which made it hard for me to find that one thing that allowed me freedom, solitude in which to focus, and had a big creative payoff. I knew I loved to draw. It was the place I escaped to when life seemed overwhelming. So despite little encouragement and absolutely no support, I entered the world of art. And while I know that doesn’t compute for people who are not ‘creative’ in the usually accepted sense, still, everything in its own way can be creative. If it requires instinct, courage to pursue despite setbacks, the excitement of new perspective, research, problem solving, being a skillful ‘people person’…. those things can be described as arts. For me it’s never been about money or fame though I’ve tasted a little of both; what has been important is the passion I can bring to what I do – I’ve seldom been bored, I’ve never wished I’d chosen something more ‘secure’. The excitement for me is the art of designing my valuable moments – of thoroughly being present in my gift of time.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Early on in life I encountered the condition of regret. I was surrounded by adults who wished they had had the courage to expand their experience – to have tried new career goals, seen more of the world or pursued some different path. Their lives were filled with dissatisfaction and it seemed to me a miserable waste. I was determined not to follow in their footsteps. So no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible the goal I was determined to live my life as closely to my ideal as I could. And I’ve always believed that art is one of the most valuable contributions to the world. I feel so blessed for the gift of whatever talent I have and for the tenacious spirit that has allowed me to fill my life with it. It’s impossible to live a life completely devoid of regret but I’ll work to the end of my days trying to keep it to a minimum!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://3-jean-clarke.artistwebsites.com
- Instagram: abstract.art.originals
- Facebook: abstract.art.originals
- Other: fineartamerica.com
ETSY (Junkyard2Jazzy) – repurposed art
Amazon Kindle (books)
LELA International
californiacreativearts.org
