CLIFF MCREYNOLDS
Cliff McReynolds is a founding member of the California visionary arts movement. Cliff gained worldwide notoriety when renowned curator Walter Hopps published his works in the groundbreaking art book, VISIONS. This book would eventually be given credit as the spark that helped to ignite the school of art we now call “The California Visionary Arts Movement.” As evidenced by his inclusion in the Who’s Who in American Art since 1978, McReynolds has been a vital contributor to American visionary art history. Cliff’s visionary images have traveled the world and can be seen throughout popular culture. His art has been the subject of books, film, album covers, posters, magazines and many other forms of print media. For over five decades, the artwork of Cliff McReynolds has confounded and captivated the imaginations of countless surreal and visionary art enthusiasts. McReynolds’ paintings have been the focus of some of the most prominent exhibits, galleries and art institutes throughout the world. Inspiring, astonishing, disturbing, perplexing, exhilarating: Cliff’s art allows the viewer to stand in the present with one foot in the past, one foot in the future and mind somewhere else entirely.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Like most schizophrenics, criminals or artists, I’m out of step. First century reverence makes more sense to me than twentieth century sophistication. I see imagination as a better source of art than experience. Originality seems a natural byproduct of an artist’s progress toward his potential, rather than a goal.
Since my goal is art locked into the real universe, I believe that conforming to universal creative principles offers a better chance for success than ignoring or opposing them. I’m not interested in “self-expression” or “personal truth” but in truth itself, particularly in its aesthetic and spiritual dimensions. In fact I define art as the creative expression of truth.
Because I use the trial and error method – mostly error – I experience painting as a series of emergencies building to a central crisis; will it be a work of art or trash ? Even a good result is a mixed blessing because it can get you half believing that perfection is just around the corner. Not true of course; one of the beauties of perfection is that the closer you come to it, the farther away it gets.
Certain distinctions often elude me as well; the difference between freedom and license, success and fulfillment, and especially between willfulness and tenacity. Years ago I approached all this with common sense, willpower and reason. These days I prefer something more practical, like prayer.”