Clive is a longtime Guelph artist and an active member of the Guelph Arts Council. With a background in graphic design and art direction, his artistic journey has taken him from typography to intricate engravings that reflect both the landscapes of Georgian Bay and his rural Ontario roots. His passion for printmaking stems from a fascination with process—building images plate by plate, colour by colour. In this interview, Clive shares insights into his evolving practice, sources of inspiration, and the role the local arts community has played in his creative life.
What is your art background?
I graduated from The Ontario College of Art and have always been working in fields related to graphics; Graphic Design, Art Direction, Marketing Manager, Packaging Consultant and with a few years in Sales, first with a Colour Separation/ Film House and then with a printer.
How long have you been in Guelph and what brought you here initially.
I was raised near Guelph, lived in Toronto for years but missed the country and moved back to this area.
Why printmaking? What about the medium speaks to you?
Since my early teens I’ve been interested in printing. For a short while I ran both letterpress and offset presses but, while it was interesting and educational, I wasn’t cut out to be a printer.
After OCA I bought a few galleys of wooden type and made typographical art. A friend asked to design a poster & illustration and when I engraved the illustration I was hooked. I didn’t use the type much after that but, instead, concentrated on my engravings.
I love the way the image gradually takes form, layer by layer and the ‘solid’ feel of the ink on paper. The fun part is deconstructing the final image, the one in my head, then putting it back together plate by plate onto the paper. The most time consuming thing, for me, is mixing just the ‘right’ colour, it can be a slow process. Once that’s done and I have a pile of ink, I usually have a good time printing.
How has your practice evolved over the years? How has it stayed the same?
I’ve moved from single or two colour prints into multi-coloured prints. I’ve also discovered new materials for my plates, ones that allow different techniques. My subject matter has always been primarily landscape but do somewhat abstracted work as well and, for some reason, I have a fascination in prints of falling objects.
There are several online engraving groups and I’ve learned a lot about technique from them over the years. It’s great having that ability to see what others are doing, it provides a challenge.
Where do you take inspiration from?
When I started I was quite interested in Japanese prints, not so much for the style but for the fact that some of the prints conveyed so much information. Over the years I’ve also been inspired by the work of other engravers, people who have pushed the medium further.
Two sources of inspiration have always been the northern end of Georgian Bay and the rivers emptying into it and, as farm kid, the bank barns and such of Southern Ontario.
What is something you wish more people knew about your work or yourself?
Over the years I’ve done a number of large works that don’t get displayed often so having this show is a treat. The Arts Council space is perfect for showing these larger works to people.
How has the Guelph Arts community, or Guelph in general, played a role in your art?
I’m always impressed by the amount of great art in this area. Art On The Street has been a great venue for me. I love meeting and interacting with the people who drop by to see my work. I do a number of different shows each year and that is always an enjoyable aspect.
Clive Lewis is currently exhibiting his work from over the years at artBar (37 Quebec street, upper level) until June 23rd. Gallery hours are Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10am to 4pm. You can also catch Clive at Art on the Street this year! For more information on Clive visit his website!
