Meet Thomas Clark | Performance, Environmental, Graphic & Commissioned Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I think we need to define what “risk” is as an artist since the whole nature of what we do should be defined by that word–instead of it being something we strive to conquer. It should occupy our very nature. But what we risk in our studio isn’t often consistent with the marketplace.

In many professions, let’s say structural engineering, the idea of risk is not advantageous and can be harmful, unsafe or economically detrimental. But, that is the mindset you want in an engineer; thoughtful, meticulous and striving for safety. You don’t want that bridge to collapse.

As as an artist, risk is the only way to propel your art forward, evoke emotion and response, and to challenge you from not producing what simply comes naturally and comfortably out of your skillset and experience. You should be thinking, “Why take the bridge? I could swim across the water, or swing from the rope of a tree, or climb to the top and see what’s happening beyond the river. Or better yet, I will build a raft and explore the river and see where it takes me!” The unknowing is where inspiration lies and what eventually inspires those viewing your creation.

The challenge for me as an artist is taking that artistic “risk nature” into my business opportunities and putting myself in front of clients who want to take a “risk” on me! Or simply, putting in the time and effort to create such inspirational beauty that they want to buy what I’m selling.

Aside from the fact artists are creating art for a living and have the built-in risk nature, I don’t believe most artists are natural risk takers in a societal form. Being the youngest in a large family, outgoing in nature and having years of experience, you would think I would be a big risk taker in a work environment. I’m not. I, like many artists, don’t transfer the zeal and love of my art into business. I have a lot of ideas, just not the nature to self propel them. It’s the conundrum most artists face.

While most businesses have a product that is mass produced and utilized on a daily basis, I am constantly creating bespoke products, often never produced or seen before. So, there is a constant task to create anew and to connect with new and potential clients which means selling myself. This flies in the face of a typical creative mindset.

My risk taking is more of a combination of two things; saying “yes” before thinking (“What was I thinking?”) and the curiosity of a new, unique and challenging adventure or project. When you take being willing to say yes, a curious nature and add hard work and perseverance you forget the word risk and simply step forward. My risk was venturing from a profitable design and illustration business into the unknown wilds of fine art and live performance art over twenty years ago. The next risk was completing a painting in 6 to 60 minutes and experiencing the result and the response it received!

I recently painted live at a fundraiser for Exodus Cry, an important organization that exposes and helps change laws to combat the horrors of worldwide sex trafficking through provocative filmmaking and social media. So, the risk I faced was creating an image, that was to be live auctioned to raise money, that was not too dark or exploitative and would be something someone would be willing to buy and hang on their wall. So, I chose not to ignore the enslavement issue, but to make the painting hopeful and transformative. One side of the painting started with a young woman’s face looking up, suggesting her anticipating a future of promise. I then painted a birdcage and vivid red background around her to suggest the trauma and her freedom taken away. Next, the cage at the bottom begins to melt away and a wire door is opened and a young bird is released to freedom. A large eagle in the background symbolizing an organization like Exodus Cry escorts it to safety and mentors it in its journey back to normalcy. The painting raised $5,200 for the organization.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

That’s a complicated question. Not to me, but I am involved in such a wide variety of projects that when I tell someone, they are left with, “Wait…What do you do? I guess that’s the setting apart part. Not that there aren’t people doing what I do—just not all at the same time!

For example; I have recently designed a few books, painted live at a corporate event, a fundraiser, and a Christmas Eve service, created commissioned paintings and assemblages, completed mural and banner projects for a few cities, designed and illustrated the identity and product line for a company, designed and painted a public art sculpture, created a 8 ft. x 12 ft. Kintsugi art piece at a stadium event in Houston in front of 25,000, and completed the design and remodel of an event space: murals, patio, gate and bar design, build-outs, lighting, and branding.

The excited part comes from the natural outcome of being blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love to do, meeting new, interesting and diverse people, and never knowing what’s next. The proud part is experiencing people moved, energized or simply happy with the outcome of what I have created. I am proud of my two daughter’s openness in experiencing a creative upbringing (their mother and I) to boldly pursue their own, unique versions in NYC. A practical proud part is seeing lots of money raised through the sale of my live paintings at fundraisers. I will say, I try to minor in pride and major in gratitude, but I haven’t received my degree yet!

Was it easy? Is anything really gratifying ever easy? I have had many challenges in a culture where an artist isn’t an “essential worker”, but being naturally upbeat, having an extremely supportive wife, and most importantly, a strong faith in a God that loves me even in my many missteps, sustains me and keeps the “up” in my beat.

As far as the lessons learned, I would say perseverance is a long word for a good reason, especially for artists where you constantly have to pivot and stay light on your feet to earn an income through the challenges. And, as I stated earlier, stay curious, and be a collaborator. For many artists, that doesn’t come naturally, but it gives you the opportunity to work with more people, open more doors and create better art. Always give your best, which should come naturally to the world’s worst critics of themselves! Give people more than they expected. It’s why I love the challenge of performance art; you have a short time to create and it’s done—no second guessing.

That comes with the final lesson learned—preparation and execution. As my beloved college art professor and Disney Art Director, Arden Lanham told me, “Do all the countless hours of practice developing your technique and style, but when you hit that drawing board or canvas all bets are off. Be open to the moment, and let it go, so those who view your creation will see your true artistry.”

In regards to who I am, my brand, and my story, I will say I love my wife and daughters, community and working with others, and I come from a time when branding was only for cattle. I’m still curious and learning! And, my story is still being written with my drop cloths and paint splattered clothes being my journal. Hopefully, an actual storybook, created during Covid, will be published soon (with pictures). So, I can add author to my list!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family’s support; wife Theresa and daughters Jayne and Eve in our creative journey together. My parents, Dutch and La Verne who encouraged my earliest artistic endeavors and never told me to get a “real job.” All those patrons out there who support the arts and the creative community. My Creator, who inspires me in all that I do.

Website: http://tomclarkstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomclarkstudio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-clark-62322127/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomclarkliveart

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeyHBa-vhwWvwQ_KSgWQA6Q

Other: https://linktree/tomclarkstudio