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Exploring Dimensions of Art: An Interview with Artist Wesley Clapp
WESLEY RYAN CLAPP has never been a stranger to art. It was never a discovery, a realization, or an observation–like many people of his talent, he fell into art at a young age, and when the time came to decide on a pursuable career, no other craft appealed to him to nearly the same extent.
“I was born in California,” he said, “And my dad was a three-dimensional artist. He blew glass and worked with ceramics–so I was exposed to the field and all its twists and turns at a very young age.” Honing his craft from very early on, CLAPP quickly found a home and space in two-dimensional drawing. “My classmates were great in math and sciences and history and so on, and I was acutely aware of the fact that this was my thing.”
He continues, “I became an artist because it felt right. I excelled at looking at the world, examining it, observing it, and finding the beautiful in it. And more than that–I could do all those things and then put them on paper. It just felt like something I had to do.” CLAPP explains that when he then moved to New York after high school to study art, his calling was reaffirmed, especially when he met a series of teachers, classmates, friends, and mentors who would eventually become his art community. “My art is very collaborative,” he adds, “And New York was the place to do all of it.”
Now, with several years of work in the industry under his belt, CLAPP has established himself as a brand stylist, visual communicator, and art director. “I work with companies and brands to help them express themselves, their missions, and their characters–whether that’s through a logo, an exhibit, a window display, or a gallery. I capture what they’re thinking and bring it to life through art.” The fluidity of the job, he adds, suits him. “I’ve never had a ‘traditional’ job, and this type of work just gives me the space to grow and develop in a way that I don’t think I could do if I had a typical nine-to-five. I’m independent, I’m free–and I’m interested in maintaining that sense of autonomy that I’ve nurtured.”
Autonomy, however, does not mean loneliness, according to CLAPP. As an artist who focuses on bringing the visions of others to life, it makes sense that his work also merges and draws inspiration from that of others. “My mentor, Robert Verdi, and I are looking to work with fine artists in an art residency capacity,” he explains, “We’re building a program to find wonderful visionary 2-D based artists and partner with them for opportunities to bring their 2-D art into the 3-D world. It’s very true to my style and mission.” The project, he notes, is a continuation of the community he has built in New York City, one that gives room for artists to thrive and explore. CLAPP adds that his job also lets him be at peace–it’s something he needs to do, for more than just financial support. “Drawing in and of itself is my favorite form of thinking,” he explains, “When I’m at my drafting table, when I have a piece of charcoal in my hand, when I’m putting lead on paper… I’m thinking.”
“The financial hustle is never easy,” he says, “It’s true. There are some weeks I’m overloaded with work, and others where I have no idea where my next paycheck is going to come from. But I can choose what I want to do, who I want to work with, and what I want to create–and for an artist, that’s extremely important. And luckily I’ve surrounded myself with inspirational and creative mentors, so I always have some ideas to pull from.”
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