ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
CLIVE MEALIN
CLIVE MEALIN HAS ASD ( AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER ), WHICH CAN MAKE BUSY SITUATIONS STRESSFUL , IN TURN THIS HAS BEEN A HURDLE TO FORMING FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS . BUT SINCE JOINING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE , ART RABBLE – WHO HAVE CREATED AN ONLINE PLATFORM WHICH ENABLES ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES TO SELL THEIR WORK INTERNATIONALLY – CLIVE HAS HONED HIS SKILLS , GROWN IN CONFIDENCE AND BUILT LASTING FRIENDSHIPS WITH OTHER KENTISH ARTISTS . CURRENTLY THE BEST SELLING ARTIST ON ART RABBLE ’ S WEBSITE , WE CAUGHT UP WITH CLIVE TO DISCOVER HOW BEING RECOGNISED FOR HIS CONSIDERABLE ARTISTIC TALENTS HAS IMPACTED HIS LIFE .
Have you always wanted to be an artist , or is it a love that has grown over time ?
No , but I am proud to call myself an artist now ! I only began painting as an adult . I was at an adult education centre in Gravesend . The people there really encouraged me . I enjoyed the focus and how rewarding it was to stand back and look at the final piece of work . Afterwards , I joined the National Autistic Society art group . It ’ s called Artrack . They helped me to try new styles and techniques . Now , I use art to communicate how I see the world ; the finer details within an ordinary scene , the colours that I see .
Who are your artistic influences ?
When I first started painting I did a lot of portraits , however now I often use acrylics to paint landscapes . Most often these will be places I have visited , like Oare Marshes in Kent . I have seen Van Gogh ’ s work in a gallery , I found it very inspiring . He used oils . I would like to work more with oils too . Van Gogh is my favourite artist , I especially like Starry Night .
How do you feel now that you are making money from your art , and that you are currently the best selling artist on Art Rabble ’ s website ?
I am surprised ! But I ' m very proud . Being an artist makes me happy . It is just a very nice feeling to know that people like my paintings . It makes me want to paint more . It gives me confidence . I like that my latest print was sold to a lady in Massachusetts in the United States ! The money I make
To support Clive , and to find spirited new artwork for your home , visit
art-rabble . org .
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