Art by Herman L. McClenton

I have always loved art. Even as a child I remember being at the library and spending hours looking at Cassatt, Picasso and Frank Lloyd Wright books. I grew up in the Bronx New York, so I suppose art was my escape from the concrete city to Monet's field of flowers or Thomas Kinkade lighthouses. My love for art inspired my love to design interiors. I remember having several Barbies and making dresses for them as well as styling their houses. Since I didn't have the luxury of owning an actual Barbie "dream house", I would use shoe boxes to create my Barbie houses. I would cut out places for the doors and windows and then glue little pieces of fabric on it to make the curtains, pillows and even carpets.

Art class was my favorite place to be in Elementary and High School. Although I never developed the gift of painting, I have always appreciated art and it's many expressions. Today, I want you to meet an Atlanta based artist, Herman L. McClenton. I was introduced to Herman's artwork on a social networking site and wanted to learn more about the man behind the art.

YAHOO: Good afternoon Herman. How are you?

HLM: Just Fine and you?

YAHOO: I am excellent! Let's start from the beginning. Where are you from Herman?

HLM: Atlanta, Ga.

YAHOO: When did you first know that you had an interest in Art?

HLM: Ever since I was a little child

YAHOO: When did that interest develop into a talent?

HLM: All my life I've love to draw the things around me. When I was a little boy around 5 yrs old, I have a older brother who is very talented. He's about 10yrs older than me. I use to ask him to teach me how to draw, and he would tell me to do good in school and he would teach me. He never did, So I picked up a pencil one day and started to draw, not knowing all this time God had already given me the talent, and the rest is history.

YAHOO: What inspires most of your art work?

HLM: Things I see around me, a dream, inspiration from God.

YAHOO: Herman, what do you consider your style to be?

HLM: Well I would say similar to this painter by the name of El Greco he painted a lot of elongated figures, you see a lot of that in my paintings.

YAHOO: Where can people contact you for a consultation?

HLM: People can contact me through email hmcclenton@yahoo.com or phone me 404-395-6771

YAHOO: Are your pieces available to purchase on-line?

HLM: My son who is a talented Web Designer is working on that for me now which he is redoing my previous site now www.mcclentongraphics.com

YAHOO: What words of wisdom can you give to aspiring artist?

HLM: I would say never give up, what you are doing is recording history in your time to be remembered for future generations to come. That in itself should be enough to keep you going.

YAHOO: Herman, I want to thank you so much for speaking with us today and sharing a little piece of your passion. I wish you continued success!

HLM: Thank you very much Karen.