Anyone who can identify themselves has a journey to share about how they arrived and became who they are. Whether they are a doctor, lawyer, salesman or mechanic, there is a unique story to tell. Many times, the stories are filled with struggles to overcome as well as celebratory events that result in positive memories. This month’s Nonahood Artist is Clyde Johnson, who as a Lake Nona High School graduate in 2015 is at the beginning of his journey that promises to be filled with successes and challenges.

Did you have passion for art as a child?

No. I really didn’t know what art was, to be honest. I drew, like, cartoon characters, but I thought that art was just in the illustration. I realize now that there are five dimensions to art. There’s visual, there’s performing, there’s martial, there’s culinary, and there’s language. We do at least one of those dimensions of art on a daily basis. Language, something that we communicate every day. This is language art. You know what I mean, because it’s a way where intelligence manifests itself into one form over another. Let’s say you have the topic of power. You could go ahead and write about power and scripts or in a poem. You could illustrate power in a painting. You could express power in a martial arts performance. You could illustrate power in a performing arts performance. You can illustrate power even in culinary, as weird as it sounds. You ever hear of Kung Pao Chicken?

Can you please explain your art and what you feel its purpose is?

When it comes to my artwork, you have to understand me as a person. As a person, I’m not what people think I am, honestly. People thought of me being Clyde Johnson, but I really don’t exist the way people think I exist. … I’m merely a vessel for the Heavenly Father, period. So, whatever I do, my Father does. … He is the source, substance, limits and boundaries of everything, and that’s what the Spirit is. … He’s both the darkness, and He’s the Light. … What I really want people to take away from this is God is able to be in whatever shape and form that He chooses to be in.
What is it that you love the most about art?
I definitely love the visual aspect of my art. I love seeing color. I’m a very colorful person. I love seeing how that translates into my paintings more so than anything. I think it’s just the concept and the message behind it.

 
Tell me about what you love the most about our community.

You know what? I love how Lake Nona has such a peace of mind. Respect for every individual is present in this community. Also, I see potential in Lake Nona. I know a lot of talented people that went to Lake Nona High School, and again, like I said, it’s just a matter of having a platform and having culture that needs to be brought to the forefront in Lake Nona. … The community can only become strong if there is culture present.

What are your goals as an artist?

I was en route to go to the Savannah College of Art and Design but didn’t have a full scholarship. Eventually, I want to go there. … In January 2015, that was the first time I thought to myself, okay, I can actually make a body of work with painting. At first, I wanted to do something in fashion, but I have to go to school for that. … I figured, okay, the first step is to go ahead and do fine arts, which is painting. There’s this artist named … Takashi Murakami; he did the cover for Kanye West’s Graduation album with the teddy bear. What he does with his artwork, he basically monetizes his own creativity. He makes plush toys. He did collaborations with Louis Vuitton and shoe brands and stuff. Eventually, I want to do something like that and make my way into fashion and film.
…Also, sparking a clear understanding of art as a whole within this community and beyond. Like, it would be super dope to see kids playing jazz and stuff like that in front of McDonald’s or something like that. I don’t know, something weird like that, but … I just believe that everybody should have a respect and be inclusive towards how people express themselves. That would definitely be a big achievement.

 
What type of work are you doing now to achieve your goals as a professional artist?

 
On July 21st from 6 to 9 p.m. at the City Arts Factory in the downtown arts district in downtown Orlando, I will have an exhibit of a series of my paintings called ‘I am Confectionary.’