On The Verge submission - john Clifford

BACKGROUND/STATEMENT Philosophically eclectic: I believe that the magic of creation is more important than the media. I prefer to let viewers draw their own inferences Over the years I’ve been stylistically eclectic; I favor abstract, some work verges on Photo-realism, some Hard- Edge others Soft, some bright and brilliant, some hushed and pastel. I adjust the media to the message and I also enjoy exploring the media’s capability to present, adjusting my technique to the way I feel the paint or digital -photo going down on that day. Photgraphically my basic sytle maight be called impressionistic but, I sometimes reject traditional forms of composition in favor of the non-traditional or even abstract. John E. Clifford: Art History Education: While in California I majored in Fine Arts and Business Administration. Received my B.A.in Fine Art from Cal State L.A. in 1971 with emphasis in Sculpture, Photography and Printing. While in art school I also worked for Los Angeles County in Photography, the primary area I pursue to this day.

ON THE JOB: I’ve owned a Pottery Supply Company, been
involved in structural Steel Fabrication, the Restaurant and Office supply industry , and commercial Printing.Finally, returning to Art in 1993. Prior to leaving Oregon my work focused on ceramics and the use of re-cycled material there-in. Upon moving to North Carolina I left the small printing company that supplemented my artistic endeavors behind and resumed painting. My Painting were usually abstract; some spontaneous, many based on observations of the environment, and/or mans interaction with it In painting I took what might loosely be called a Post-modern / Abstract Expressionist approach.
TODAY: My ceramic studio has been sold; I’ve stopped painting and I have started utilizing digital photography.Finding traditional photography boring and non-creative I am taking photography to another more artistic phase by creating “Photographic (digital) Paintings”.

CURRENTLY: Leaving behind 20 years of abstract paintings, I’ve rejected traditional photography, instead concentrating on developing more artistically creative digital photographic paintings. Finally finished re-modeling my home; allowing me to devote more free time to creating art. Looking forward to a project re-working and expanding some Limited Edition composite portrait prints, started some years ago; these prints combined photography, painting and Xerography prior to digital conversion as prints.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION I am submitting some of my most recent work, which I loosely refer to as “street shots”. These are un-posed snap-shots taken while walking or driving around. I’ve digitally manipulated these photos into what I think of as Photographic-Paintings. Bearing a resemblance to what might be achieved with guasch or tempra mediums. I have not tried to organize these into any theme, my intent is rather to bring my work to your attention.