Meet Brandon Clarke | Artist

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

Hi Brandon, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I feel like I signed up to be apart of the Harlem Globetrotters. Not only am I an artist, but I am also a husband, a father to three children, and I still practice in the field of architecture! It takes discipline and sacrifice to perform all those things well. The scariest part of it all was to believe in myself. “What happens if you fail,” was always present in my mind. However, passion overtook those emotions which allowed me to move forward with my goals.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
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.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them down to the everglades to visit the unique fruits of Robert Is Here. Following a refreshing smoothie we would then travel down to The Alligator Farm and ride a fan boat. We would all than have to rent out a unit in the Keys to go jet skiing and snorkeling at John Penny Camp. Enjoy dinners and sunsets within some of the best restaurants in the Keys.

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?
I would have to thank my wife for her sacrifice for putting down her dreams so I could pursue mine. In addition, I would have to thank the leaders and members of Hope4Life. These lovely bunch of characters have given me the guidance and tools to discover my authentic self.

Website: https://www.brandonclarkedesigns.com/

Instagram: @brandonclarkedesigns