Check Out Zerric Clinton’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zerric Clinton.

Hi Zerric, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I remember drawing things as an elementary student. My friends and I use to have contests almost everyday. We were competing against each other to see who could replicate the image the best. As I moved through middle school and high school, my parents encouraged me to continue to draw so I did. I won several shows in high school and was inspired by my high school art teacher to pursue a career in the visual arts. As an undergraduate, I was challenged to begin to create abstract work. Initially, I was not a huge fan of working in an abstract manner, but as time went on I begin to like it more and more. Today I enjoy the challenge of creating each piece of work. My work focuses on social issues that impact people. My art is like my microphone to the people.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! There have been times, even in college, where you get negative feedback from people saying that you are going to be a starving artist. Also, there were times when I wondered if my work was good enough. What I decided was to just work on mastering what I do and let the gift that I have shine.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in abstract art. My work is inspired by music, social issues and personal things that I encounter. For me there is no question that my art serves several purposes. For one, it serves as a way for me to respond to the social issues that I see. Art for me is a way to document and expose my take on things that I see. In some ways, I guess my art can be described as political. There are many times that I create sketches about things that make a definite impression on me. Sometimes these visual narratives are really positive and other times, they are responses to some rather negative situations. In both instances, I am compelled to create. I am most proud of art students that I have had that are doing big thing in the art world. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing them prosper. I think that as an artist-educator, my most important role is to inspire. Terms of what sets me apart from others is the calling that I have to create. I am not an artist that creates what is popular. My main goal is to create work about things that matter to me and if it resonates with others, that’s great. If it does not resonate, I accept that as well.

What were you like growing up?
I was a typical kid, I guess. Drawing, music and sports were the things that I enjoyed the most. We all grow up thinking that we are the greatest at our craft. I was very competitive and enjoyed challenges. So, in art and sports, I always pushed myself to be the best that I could be. In school, I had lots of friends because it has always been easy for me to talk to people from all walks of life. I have been told that is a gift that I have. I just enjoy conversing with people. Academically, I did well and I had good relationships with my teachers.

Contact Info:

• Email: zerric@zerricarts.com
• Website: zerricarts.com
• Instagram: @zerricarts
• Facebook: Zerric Clinton