Robert WK Clark's Biography

There are many words that can describe an artist, but passion and interesting illustrate Robert WK Clark. An artist with a Fine Art Gallery in Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Clark is someone to explore. A reflection of the art he produces, the man is many different things, as a picture projects a thousand words. Clark threads on the path taken by the likes of Mathew Brady, the civil war photographer; one of the nation’s finest in his time. Brady opened a New York studio in 1844 after mastering the daguerreotype, the early form of capturing pictures. Like Brady, Clark continues to master the arts; his time before was mostly spent as a network engineer, finding that 15 hours work days were quite taxing, he allotted some time for his first love – freezing moments forever. At the age of 13, this artist bought his first camera and the passion has since stirred a world of elevated awareness of form, hue, and lighting for him.

As anybody with the inclination for the aesthetics, he attends cultural and artistic events; this also being borne of a belief that dramatic self-expression is the window to the soul. One can appreciate that the man wears his heart in his sleeve and perhaps believes in the act of chivalry. A secret soft side reveals a person who usually goes out of his way to help others, but he believes, just like James Madison that not all men are born angels and would rather keep a small group of true friends. The artist, who is in his mid-thirties, is recently divorced and a full time father of two lovely kids. Just like a discovery-oriented reader who treks the pages of life, he too would like to meet a woman of the same vibrations; a soul mate perhaps.

Unlike Vincent Van Gogh who had his artworks scattered in many places, Clark is a tickler for organization and cleanliness. Like many great artists, he is a bit introverted, but he has this enigmatic gift of humor and a great sense of adventure. A paradox that actually enhances his work, for beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and those eyes may not see a single point of splendor, it may see the loveliness in many different features of a single thing. More so, the different facets in his work enlightens and frees him from unwanted baggage and brings more happiness; he is able to follow his dreams which at the same time allows for more valuable moments with his youngsters. His fusion of scientific digital technical knowledge and the arts has created wonders that have enriched his soul, finding meaning and relevance which has given this man a good vantage point, both for arts sake and for self actualization. Clark’s character is a reminder of William Garnett who took on aerial photography in 1949, this three-in-a-row winner of three Guggenheim fellowships loved capturing the beauty of Mother Nature from the air. Garnett was a pioneer in providing colorful accounts of the world around us in a top-angle panoramic aspect. His love for excitement and appreciation of magnificence reflects in Clark creative passion – the artist and visionary.

This artist who loves all types of music has a gift for the visuals and has amassed a diverse and engaging portfolio. He took up photography in high school where his teacher was impressed with his work on architectural buildings downtown. At that early age in vocational pursuit, he excelled using the manual mode setting, displaying utmost control over the end results. As the artist posits it about his younger days; “I love to push the camera to create images that are unexpected.” Even while working on computers, he had a collection of cameras and enjoyed capturing with friends. This impetus made him decide to focus on his passion and produce more enjoyable work. As the saying goes, all work and no play makes you dull. Clark further elaborates: “I realized that I really didn’t enjoy the computer work that I was doing. I want to create something that will outlast me, like a great art piece. I want my work to be on somebody’s wall forever. I’d like to leave an artistic legacy with my artwork.” Continuing with his digital work, it allows him to focus on the aesthetics and deeper meanings of photography without having to be ensnarled by commercialism. His artwork hinges on quality and is free of other hounding negative human emotions, what is left to the eye's are a collection of wonderful things. His love for imagery is matched by his zest for life and would surround himself with positive people who share the same interests. Clark’s word on human interactions is; “I believe that honest, open communication is the key to lasting friendships and relationships.” As the human genome forwards that each person’s DNA is unique to oneself, his work embodies his dreams, aspirations, and insight on how things should look like in captured stillness. Armed with a passion to paint and sculpt this well rounded artist will triumph.

Clark displays compassion and is not selfish to share his knowledge and technical expertise. He strives to be of aid to budding artist. An enthusiast can find samples of Clark’s work in this website; www.robertwkclark.com. The artist also partakes of relevant information on other art-related items and events. As his collection continually grows, the need for an avenue or community per say led to the creation of Art Si Magazine. Art Si (Art Yes) provides a window to the glamorous and artistic world. The artist expresses enthusiasm on the possibilities of Art Si Magazine and the promising prospects of a career in artistry though, he admits that idea posed some risk and it merited some contemplation. Nevertheless, he states that: “My passion was always to create,” he says. “I am the kind of person who will go out on a limb to do what I want to do.” Indeed, this man will go on. Clark relates with the vision of Henri Van Lier in the latter’s Philosophy of Photography that emphasizes a perceptive sense of the detail. He pursues the details that he wants to expose in his finished work and goes out of his way to make them look good. An extra effort for something wonderful is always worthwhile.

Though Clark takes on any kind of assignment, his predilection has been for the search of the different angles to elucidate more on the beauty of the female form. Closely scrutinizing the amazing quality of his takes, one gets reminded of Irving Penn who was a part of Vogue magazine beginning in the late 1930s. Penn, who used different hues of white and grey for his backdrops, pushed the art of imagery to a great leap. Taking the societal values of the time into account, his nude series ruffled some feathers, raised some eyebrows, and generated a lot of talks. Today, Clark brings the female form into artistic spheres that once again thrust the art to a higher dimension. For those who want to see to believe, it is a must to visit this website thoroughly and explore yourself. Clark’s works are indeed a must have and display for a lifetime. The artist has taken inroads in lighting, hue, and presentation of the dramatic background that he has explored different categories. He has equated the female form to different circumstances and moods and emotions. They fall into a varieties of Series. Name what feeling you want to get out of a captured figure and Clark can create it. And much more, his work does speak in thousands of words.

© Robert WK Clark