Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Clayton.
Hi Ben, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in a small farm town north of Kansas City, Missouri, we moved to and around Iowa for my entire youth. During that time, I was always reading, writing, drawing, painting, and creating. In 2000, my wife and I came to Savannah because of Bonaventure Cemetery, as well as many positive recommendations, and admittedly with curiosity about the reality of the city beyond the book and subsequent movie. We were in love as soon as we left the airport. After some 50-60 visits over the years, it was time to move. Though not “natives,” I feel like I had been prior to this life, if such things exist. Around 2010, I started my small company, writing fiction books and creating art. Now the two things have come together. I’m currently working on writing several new books and creating dozens of new art pieces while also designing a tour concept which I believe will fit in well here. I often walk from our home to different squares daily, where I’ll sit, take in the place’s energy, and write or work on art. In Savannah, ideas come more easily to me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If only it had been a smooth road, but nothing worthwhile is. I’ve also had to work hard to develop the skills of my craft to a point that I’ve become proud of it. I’ve traveled to many places, and I’ve made many friends, though I’ve also had too many leave this world over that time. Every day, I take a step forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to create things, whether stories, digital images, or props and sculptures. Most of my work delves into darker, more twisted worlds of ghosts and goblins. In creative writing, I’m known for writing strange stories that are dark or have some philosophical twist. What brought me out as unique in the book market was book one of my zombie graphic novel series Numb. Since then, I’ve moved on to short stories, a novel about vampires, and a novel called Fluids that follows a serial killer, which is my proudest achievement to date. With my photography and digital images, I’m known for everything from my enhancements to my photo manipulations to my complete digital paintings, all of which I make available as art prints or stickers. Regarding my props and sculptures, I am known for making a zombie arm for Neil Gaiman’s yard, as well as for creating corpse heads and small rotting skeletons. It’s always difficult to predict what I’ll be creating next, as I have very eclectic tastes, though usually, it’s a good bet that it will be something strange, supernatural, or even magical.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve read books on writing by both Terry Brooks and Stephen King. Masterclass online is my go-to for learning what famous authors have done and are doing so that I can improve my craft. YouTube is handy for prop-making when working with new materials and for setting up playlists appropriate to the mood of whatever story I’m writing. For photo manipulation, I’ve spent many years of working with different software and gaining and improving skills with those software platforms, with the primary software being Adobe Photoshop. I also read a lot of psychology, philosophy, sociology, theology, and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.claytonartistry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claytonartistry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claytonartistry
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-clayton-55110523b/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/claytonartistry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCirOdi0QNL2dnoFvYFiNqOQ
Image Credits
Blair Gauntt
