We were lucky to catch up with Chris Clamp recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chris, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from a variety of influences. I grew up in a rural area in South Carolina and my family worked in the local mills. My parents worked long hours at the mills and they worked hard on the family farm. That taught me a lot about hard work and responsibility. Art had become my escape and outlet for self-expression. The public school that I attended was not well equipped, but I was passionate to improve my skills. When I attended college, my peers were so much more advanced than me, but I was not going to let that hold me back. I was driven to grow my talents, and seeing the work of other artists gave me motivation to keep pushing. That self-motivation feeds my work ethic, and the memories of where I came from keep me focused.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an oil painter, so I exhibit my artwork in galleries and I also work closely with private collectors on commissioned paintings. My artwork is realistic, but I go deeper with symbolism, adding elements of narrative and spirituality to the paintings.
I am grateful to other artists who have shared valuable insight with me through the years. I feel that it is a duty to give back whenever possible, so recently I launched a channel on YouTube on which I share information about art, the art business and how to be a practicing artist. I also offer art classes and livestreams on my online platform.
This year I was honored as a 2025 recipient of the prestigious Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant. The grant will provide me with financial assistance to focus on the growth in my artistic practice and also invest in upgrades to my studio to assist with my online teaching platform. As a recipient of the Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant, I will have an exhibition at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum in Provincetown, MA in 2026.
This fall, I will have a solo exhibition at Jerald Melberg Gallery in Charlotte, NC from September 6 to October 18, 2025. I am excited to share this new body of work with the public because I have explored some themes and styles that are different for me. If you are in the area, I encourage you to come and see it.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Family was definitely the most impactful. I learned a lot from my family, especially my grandfather, and that has inspired my artistic journey still today. Even though I am the only artist in my family, the lessons of life truly become an endless source of inspiration. So, my advice is this: stay humble, stay rooted and remember your history.
Another helpful piece of advice is to stay open to others and build relationships. It never hurts to reach out to others who have been where you are wanting to go. Quite often, people you find inspiring are excited to share their story and even offer assistance whenever possible. There is so much to be gained by working on communication skills and building a network. Often, it only costs a cup of coffee for a piece of priceless information.
Also, stay hungry and stay persistent. It is easy to give up when things get difficult, (they most certainly will) but stay persistent. The only way to get to where you want is to go through the tough stuff. You cannot go around it. You will learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do by going through the challenges. It will make you appreciate what you have and what you have achieved even more. And don’t become complacent. It is easy to achieve something and then want to celebrate and rest on your laurels, but keep in mind that when you stop… it stops. But don’t let this drive harden you. Stay humble and stay kind. Others are more willing to work with you when you are easy to work with.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
A lot of people have helped me along my artistic journey, however, the one person who has made the largest impact is Jerald Melberg. I met Jerald upon graduating from college with a degree in art. While in school, I worked at the university art gallery where I learned a lot about the display and presentation of art and exhibitions. I knew that I wanted to find a job working in the arts and I hoped to find a job in a museum or art gallery. I was introduced to Jerald Melberg who owns a prestigious art gallery in Charlotte, NC. I started working with Jerald Melberg Gallery in 2002 and worked there for 15 years. During that time, Jerald decided to represent me as one of his gallery artists, which is a huge honor. While I worked with Jerald, he taught me a lot about art and business and also how to be a successful artist. We became great friends, and he still represents my artwork today. He has done a tremendous amount to grow my art career and influence me as a professional adult.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.chrisclampart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisclampart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisclampart
Image Credits
Lauren Clamp and Chris Clamp for photos
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
