Today we’d like to introduce you to Luz Maria Clayton.
Luz Maria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a visual artist specializing in digital art. I am a wife, a stepmom to a beautiful 21-year-old and mother of 2 little artists. I am a native San Diegan, raised by my mother in a household with 5 sisters and 1 brother. I kept sketchbooks as a child and took a stab at painting in my early twenties. Art has always been a great outlet for me. Since childhood, I have struggled with anxiety/depression. At a young age, I felt as if I couldn’t cope with my emotions and dark thoughts any longer, I made an attempt to end my life. I now feel compelled to share my story because I have persevered out of darkness.
I contribute my success and hope to my faith in the lord, who has given me a great passion for art. In December of 2014, I lost my father to heart disease and was accepted into an outpatient behavioral health facility in order to help me through the grieving process. The treatment was so intense that I found myself focusing on my stylus and phone in-between group sessions, searching for creative release. I found the creative process relaxing and utilized it as a means to cope with my overwhelming emotions. I was asked to print one of my pieces and was amazed to discover that the images I created did not have to be confined to a small device but could exist tangibly.
I began creating daily with the encouragement of my family. I made my art debut on June 2016 at my local farmers market to mix review but with the love and support of my family and friends, I pushed forward and broke into San Diego’s booming art scene. Upon reflection, I can see that I have come a long way from the local farmer’s market. On June 2, 2018, I had my very first solo art exhibition called, “Fade Into Color, out of the Dark.” The show was held at the Expressive Arts studio at 32nd and Thorn.
I strategically chose this space because it is a place for healing and art, which was the bases of my show. I have participated in several art exhibitions here in San Diego and have sold several pieces locally and nationally. I like to think that I am living proof that art has the profound ability to heal.
Has it been a smooth road?
After printing that first piece, I was asked, “Why not share and sell your work?” I honestly didn’t know where to begin. One of my major challenges was money, I felt I needed money to be successful. I’ve been a stay at home since the birth of my son in 2009. So I rely on my husband’s income 100%. That was going to be tough because we are always struggling to make ends meet. I also faced some challenges when it came to printing my work in the beginning. I am not a trained digital artist. I sometimes use several apps on my smartphone to complete an art piece.
I had to learn how to format my work so that it is not compromised when printed and I also had to figure out what dimensions to work with. I had to learn how to take apart second-hand frames and put them back together in an effort to cut costs. As far as selling my work, I started out creating my Instagram page and posted my work on my Facebook page as well. One of my sisters sent me money for a printer and suggested I print my own work from home.
I was able to get a great deal on a high-quality printer and started printing. I really didn’t have any connections to any artists or galleries at the time, so the farmers market seemed to like the best bet. I was able to make 1 fathers day sale, that was nice. Soon after I found an ad on Craigslist seeking artists. There was one catch, sell fifteen tickets for $21 each or pay an entry fee of $300. I figured this is what I have to do to get my work out there, so I hustled. I called everyone I knew and told them about this awesome opportunity, I was overwhelmed to see how many loved ones jumped to the chance to support my new dream.
I participated in my very first art show in the summer of 2016 and discovered a new feeling of joy and fulfillment I hadn’t felt since I had my children. I had a new purpose in life, it was to create and to share. I was amazed to see how the community responded to my work. My first piece sold and I couldn’t believe my work would be hanging on peoples walls. I was truly surprised to make that first sale, I was humbled and honored all at the same time. After that event, I was scouring the web for other opportunities and stumbled onto a post from another artist inviting people to a group event.
That is when I met one of San Diego’s coolest curators, Kami Farokhi, I learned that I didn’t have to buy my way into the art world, some events basically pay for themselves with the art sold, some only ask for a commission. Once I participated in Kami’s group art shows, it was all about networking after that. I met my good friend, artist/curator, Jennifer Cooksey, who recently curated my solo show. I’ve also worked with Melody De Los Cobos another wonderful artist/curator, Yvette Roman, Johnny Tran from Thumbprint Gallery, Cayce Hanalei, the Love Thy Neighbor movement, Village Summer Nights on 3rd to name a few.
I met so many wonderful artists and curators and artists, turned curators in the last two years. I find myself getting invitations to events instead of surfing the web for opportunities. I’ve been blessed to be part of several group art shows Martha Pace Swift Gallery, La Bodega Gallery, Mesheeka Gallery, local coffee shops and breweries I will gladly continue to participate in a local farmers markets or community functions. I did find it difficult to break into the art scene initially, so I do my best to share the amazing opportunities with a new artist I meet along the way. I would share that it’s not always a “yes,” when it comes to getting into a show, I’ve heard a few no’s and I may have lost money entering a “juried” art show, but I’m happy with where I am today and what I have accomplished.
I never would have imagined have a solo exhibition, that’s for sure. I was only able to pull it off with the support of family and friends and the wonderful art community we have in San Diego.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Arte by Luz Maria Clayton – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Arte by Luz Maria Clayton is a collection of visual art, mostly comprised of digital work produced on my smartphone and some abstract paintings and mixed media pieces. I think one of the things that may set my art apart would be that it speaks to people. I’m astounded to hear that my work has touched peoples hearts. I often hear people talk about the colors in my work, and how I have a certain style.
I also offer a variety of genres in my work from fairies and dancers to animals and portraits. My prices are also friendly for those collectors on a tight budget, digital art gives me the liberty of selling a piece for a reasonable price because all I really need to invest in is ink and paper.
I am proud to share that art has reshaped my life for the better. It doesn’t pay the bills yet, but I can help my husband out a little bit here and there and I can treat my family to dinner and the art basically takes care of itself.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I cannot imagine being in another city and experiencing art the way we do here in San Diego. There is so much diversity here. You can go to an art show and see work from young and old, any ethnicity any background in one room and just be amazed at the local talent. I have found that if you visit many different events, you will begin to recognize the artists simply by their body of work. San Diego seems to be thriving with culture and artistic flair. I love how San Diego supports the artist by simply having decorative electric boxes and inviting artists to a variety of public events.
While planning my art show this June, I did learn that San Diego may be lacking resources for independent local artists. It seems that you need to be a non-profit organization in order to get any type of funding. I feel that if small time artist, like me, had more support, we could stretch our work further in the community and do more with our skills. We could offer workshops in our area and create more pieces and be able to donate time and work to charities and fundraisers.
Contact Info:
- Phone: (619)997-5726
- Email: lucykins26@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artebylmc/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luz.clayton.18
Image Credit:
Amanda San Martin Photography, Marisol Ibarra, Ellie Kennedy
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