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The Art of the Matter:
Self-trained artist and native New Orleanian Anthony Clark has begun to experience
some success, spurring him to continue following his dream.
While attending Alcee Fortier High School, Anthony Clark says he began to take an interest in carving images in his woodwork class.
“I thought it was a cool thing to do, but I never thought I could make a living off of it,” he says. “I didn’t think about making a career out of it until after Hurricane Katrina when I heard T.D. Jakes encouraging people to not fear their calling. After hearing that, I got up the next day and started sculpting.”
Today, Clark is sculpting and painting his way into people’s hearts. Earlier this year, his work was featured in an exhibit at Xavier University.
“Some professors from Xavier heard about my work through people in the neighborhood and asked to meet with me,” Clark says. “I showed them some of my pieces, and they loved them.”
He has also sold several pieces to a myriad of folks—from his neighbors in Hollygrove to West Coast art collectors.
And while not having formal training or a college degree has posed some setbacks, Clark says he plans to continue to pursue his art as a career.
“I can make anything anybody wants,” he says. “If you want me to make a small piece, I can make that. If you want me to make a life-size T-Rex, I can make that as well. I learned my craft through trial and error. God gives me the idea, the color, the structure for everything I do,” he says.
Aside from perfecting and displaying his own art, Clark also works with his son and other children in his neighborhood, helping them express themselves through visual art.
“I love working with the kids, especially the special needs children and the ones with behavioral problems,” he says. “By looking at children’s art, you can see if they are having problems in their environment based on the art they create. Art can also help heal a child’s spirit.”
When Clark is not working with the youth or displaying his art, he is at his home sculpting and painting images on walls.
“When people come into my home and see a panda bear popping out of the wall or the birds flying on my ceiling, they can’t believe it,” he says. “They’re always saying they’ve never seen anything like it. I always want to keep people guessing so they won’t ever know what to expect from me. Sometimes I like to hide things in my work like a piece of jewelry or an image within an image to surprise people. I love what I do. When you love what you do, it shows.”
Clark is determined to remain very optimistic about his future and where his art will take him.
“I’m going to keep creating until I don’t have any room left,” he says. “I feel like my hands are on fire, and I can’t stop creating.”
For more information on Anthony Clark’s work call 707-515-8590 or email him at clark37978@bellsouth.net.
