Recent graduate of Northeastern University passionate about graphic design, videography, pop culture, illustration, and creating music. Born and raised outside of Dallas, Texas.
My name is Clay Stevens! I grew up in Mckinney, Texas and moved to Boston in 2020 to earn my bachelors degree at Northeastern University. I have a deep interest in interdisciplinary art, and throughout my adolescence and adulthood I've explored a variety of artistic mediums, ranging from video editing to furniture design and creation.
Since I was a kid, I've been passionate about photography, videography and video editing. I began filming, editing, and uploading my own Youtube videos in middle school (circa 2015) eventually gaining a couple hundred thousand views on my channel. Ever since then video editing has always been something I've tried to incorporate into my creative pursuits, and I'm always looking for opportunities that allow me to use those skills.
Across all the visual mediums I practice, my work is dominated by color and saturation. This is because I take a lot of inspiration from the 60s, an era dominated by pop art and psychedelic-inspired movements. I am heavily influenced by multiple iconic queer artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, who both created a unique visual language to allow their art to act as a form of protest and commentary on their personal values. Specifically, Keith Haring’s signature visual language allowed him to advocate for AIDs awareness and education at a time when misinformation and fear dominated the conversation. The idea that art allows for the repackaging of subversive ideas to be pushed into the mainstream consciousness heavily inspires me. While my work may not always appear to be as inherently political as some of my inspirations, I consider myself to be political, and I believe my art to be a reflection of myself.
I also take a lot of inspiration from music and queer musical artists, like Elton John, George Michael, and Lady Gaga. All of these artists have huge discographies with genres ranging from jazz to EDM- but what ties their bodies of work together is their unique lyrical perspective and ability to break into the mainstream while conveying subversive themes.
Within my own music, I often find myself inspired lyrically by pop culture, emotions, and interpersonal relationships (whether that be my own relationships or those I witness). Music, more than any other artistic medium I’ve explored, has allowed me to entirely break free from the boundaries of reality. By this, I mean I don’t simply have to draw from my own personal knowledge as inspiration, but I can create settings and stories in much the same way a novelist might. The freedom to unabashedly lie is a powerful, almost intoxicating feeling.
My digital design tends to be more functional, even impassive, with the goal usually being to represent the information I am trying to convey in the most efficient manner possible. As for the other forms of art I like to explore, I allow for more of an emotional, unruly process to take place. Instead of worrying about what the audience may be thinking while I am creating, I simply go with what feels the best for me. I try to throw aside all notions of judgment and ridicule by giving myself the chance to create alone. When I’m painting, I use colors that I like to be surrounded by, creating simple, geometric forms that allow me, the artist, to enjoy the process of creation rather than focus on creating a linear story for the audience to understand.
My relationship with art has evolved significantly over the years, and I expect it will continue to do so as I further explore the depths of my creativity. My process is unpredictable, even irrational at times, but at its core, it is uniquely me. I am grateful for this fact because as I traverse my relationship with art, I continually learn more about myself. I simply must give myself the space to create with no boundaries.
