Clayton Brothers—Works on Paper

Rob and Christian Clayton make up the contemporary painting super duo the Clayton Brothers. Working side by side and in partnership, brothers Clayton cover every inch of their collaborative works with childhood symbology placed in contemporary context. (Above, Clayton Brothers : Over Due : Artist Proof : Etching with Aquatint : 12x8" : 2003)

Over the past seventeen years, I have witnessed the growth and expansion of the Clayton Brother’s works and strongly feel they are two of the most important painters in today’s contemporary art field.


Enjoy a few examples of work on paper available over the past few years. You can see more of Rob and Christian’s work here and you can order your very own works on paper here. (Above, Clayton Brothers : Drippy Day Wash, 4x6" : 17/25 : 12 Color Serigraph : 2006).

Clayton Brothers : Discard : 8x9" : Etching on Arches Cover : 2004

Christian Clayton : You Deserve It : 4.25 x 6.25 inches : 12 Color Serigraph : Artist Proof #4

Christian Clayton : Complex Man...Thinking and Thinking : 4.25x6.125“ : Edition 1/10

Clayton Brothers : Feed Them Bread Mixed media on paper

2006 Paper size: 14 X 17, cm: 35.56 X 43.18

Clayton Brothers : How Ducks Feel Mixed media on paper

2006 Paper size: in: 14 X 17, cm: 35.56 X 43.18

Clayton Brothers : Let The Children Live Mixed media on paper

2006 Paper size: in: 14 X 17, cm: 35.56 X 43.18

Adapted Well : 6.5x10 inches : 2009 : Artist Proof

3 color linocut with hand stenciling, printed on heavy weight watercolor paper

Clayton Brothers, Damage Noted, Artist Proof 7/10 : Etching, Hand colored : 2003

the Clayton Brothers Share a Language for Vision

The 7:30 jackhammer made me jump out of bed and get right into it. As my feet touched ground I was extra motivated to race with rush hour LA and head north to visit the Clayton Brothers studio.

My mind was awhirl, filled with creative thoughts for the day. “Language of Vision,” written by Gyorgy Kepes occupied my mind on the drive over. The book is dynamic, written in 1944, introducing theories and illustrations on how to better understand the function and structure of art in our society.

“The language of vision” is a perfect way to describe the Clayton Brothers as their densely painted surfaces convey a narrative that archives the force of two frenetic technicians who layer thousands upon thousands of shapes and shards of color on top of one another to create a unified language of beauty. (“Redi Whip Laughter,” 84x84”, above).

Gracious hosts, Rob and Christian, reorganized the studio, showing 3 never seen before works on paper created during their 2006 “Wishy Washy” exhibition (above), as well as one of their most important pieces featured in the 2009 “Jumbo Fruit” exhibition “Redi Whip Laughter” (84x84”). Also floating above 2 tubs of white paint and gesso, “I’m Just Joking,” (below).

Rob and Christian are prolific creators—constantly constructing and deconstructing the surface of their canvas until the right balance of pattern, color, character and support details invigorate the narrative edge to edge. There is no need for empty space in the world according to Clayton. Looking at their work up close, you are quickly immersed in a visual language that amplifies childhood insecurities and curiosities while surface ornamentation presents a bright spectrum of possibility.

Life’s experiences shared between two brothers presents unique, yet individual, interpretations of the same event. However, everything experienced between Rob and Christian is unified in their work. The Clayton Brothers are an important force constantly evolving their shared language of vision. Check out ClaytonBrothers.com for more and archived articles: Inside Out Madison, Pre-Madison Opening Hang Out and Inside Out Pasadena.

Clayton Brothers: Inside Out Pasadena

Part two of the Clayton Brother’s retrospective moves into the main gallery of the Pasadena Museum of California Art organized by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) and curated by Stephen Fleischman May 15 through September 4, 2011.

Fortunately, one of the early Clayton’s collaborations as brothers, “This Will Help Them (from the Green Pastures)” is featured in the exhibition. This painting is one of my favorites, a large mixed media diptych that measures 67” x 103.” “This Will Help Them” is a fitting title for a cherished life experienced shared between the Clayton Brothers and I in 2003. There were alot of personal projects in full swing: “The Most Special Day of My Life,” Scribble.08 documentary, Zoetrope All Story and the art addition of “This Will Help Them.”

“The Most Special Day of My Life” is a testament to brotherly collaboration. Brothers Clayton were hands on throughout the entire book design and production process. At the time, my life was all about couch surfing in Pasadena, tacos, caffeine refills and working alongside Rob and Christian trying to find the right mix of imagery, visual tone and rhythm. Daniel Johnston played on while commissioned paintings and 6 Foot 11 exhibition panels were painted on. Thousands of slides transformed into hundreds of book pages and the Clayton Brothers first monograph was ready to be printed. And then…

“We need to cancel your exhibition, Heaven and Hell.” “Ummm…What? I’m not sure I heard you correctly.” “Yes, we need to cut back our operational budget, due to immediate facility improvements. We’re sorry, but this will not happen unless you sponsor the shipping of the show yourself...”

A frightful conversation in the summer of 2003 and a terse exchange with the director of the Philadelphia Sketch Club two weeks before the exhibition opening for “Heaven and Hell” featuring the Clayton Brothers and 52 additional artists. Many racy words raced through my head and I received my first dose of “Brotherly Love” from America’s oldest artist organization formed in 1860.

One minute later a phone call from my college roommate, Spencer, living in Ohio and an immediate commitment to drive across the country, see some sites and navigate our ways into adventure. 48 hours later a Ryder truck packed with 104 bubble wrapped paintings en route from San Diego to Philadelphia. Within 6 hours, I blew up the truck, (lead foot across the desert, but don’t worry a drunk 16 year old who resembled the son of Captain Crunch made the necessary repairs). Traveling on a tight schedule, I said, “hey!” to the Grand Canyon, purchased canned possum in Arkansas, partied with the ghost of Elvis in Memphis along with a jovial pimp and overly perfumed prostitute (“Don’t worry nothing happened, just dancing in the streets.”) and safely delivering Spencer back to Ohio to rejoin his family.

Upon my arrival at the Philadelphia the Sketch Club, I discovered the director unavailable as he left word to deliver the artistic cargo the following day. Feeling the predatory nature of the neighborhood, I Decided to sleep in the truck as protector of the arts before his excellence, the director, made himself available. He was nice, he treated me to a Philadelphia cheese steak for me valiant efforts.

After the last painting was hung for “Heaven and Hell,” the cocktails served and a weekend partying with the Illustration Conference in Philadelphia enjoyed, I caught a flight over to Hong Kong to print the Clayton Brothers first book. All well and good, except for a little disease called Sars. Let’s just say this disease was worse than the common cold, pushing most expatriates out of Hong Kong as quickly as possible. And don’t you worry, I was quarantined before boarding the plane, just to make sure I was a bill of good health. Crazy, adrenaline, whatever it takes attitude and life-changing experiences in the name of art.

We all have stories right? A fitting script in support of the Clayton Brothers as their collaborative style of narrative features inventive story telling that beckons your participation.

Rob and Christian Clayton’s colorful narrative, “Inside Out” will be featured at the Pasadena Museum of California Art on May 15 through September 4, 2011. You will not want to miss this large installation featuring six different Clayton Brother exhibitions championed by MMoCA, Stephen Fleischman, Richard J. Massey and Beth Rudin DeWoody. Oh yes, the title of their first book came from a trip to a mall, as the Clayton Brothers overheard a senior citizen pushed along in a wheelchair exclaim, “This is the most special day of my life.” (Inside Out entry one, entry two).

Clayton Brothers Inside Out 09/11

Rob and Christian Clatyon introduced their first retrospective on Saturday night (09/11) at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum’s auditorium was filled to capacity by 7:30 pm, awaiting a talk between Rob, Christian and MMoCA’s executive director, Stephen Fleischman.

Wishy Washy installation detail and exterior painting

Rob and Christian jointly introduced the first Clayton Brothers retrospective “Inside Out” with childhood stories about family vacations spent in California. “California has a major influence on our work, as we were interested in the people with tattoos, punk music, skateboarding and the overall environment of the place. And as a place to live now, fuels our narrative and helps us create stories, characters and motivates us.”

Docent exchange and discussion with Steven Fleischman

Steven asked, “Talk about your past, commercial applications of your work to the your style of loosely woven narrative.”

Rob, Christian and Steven + Madison Fish Fry

Rob—“We grew up in a commercial art family. So much of what we do is about communication and we’re trying to articulate visually, a visual narrative.”

Christian—“Back then, to have something in print might cause someone to think. It was a voice we were comfortable with at the time, while taking advantage of the opportunity to put our own spin on it.”

Rob and Christian took turns articulating their journey from childhood, good and bad friendships and personal experiences while growing up in Colorado. Looking over to his parents, Christian described, ”My Mom was always telling us to get along and made sure that we took care of each other.” Obviously, both brothers have worked through personal challenges to create an impressive body of work that consistently delivers new and interesting characters, subject matter, color palette, surface techniques and scale.

Rob and Christian feed off of each other creatively, always surprising each other with the final outcome and often share two separate interpretations about their final pieces. Christian described, “It’s easy to collaborate with my brother.” Joining in, Rob added, “It is complete trust with each other. Our individual approaches add to the flavor of the work.” Christian then remarked, “There are times we have an intense exchange over ideas and the work, but if we are not having some type of disagreement we are not truly thinking.”

Six different gallery shows are represented on the main exhibition floor at the MMoCA exhibition including: Green Pastures (2001-2003), I come from here (2004-2005), Wishy Washy (2006-2007), Patient (2007-2008), As Is (2008-2009) and Jumbo Fruit (2009-2010). Each presented collection features highlights from each show and covers a range of topics including: developmentally disabled, the neighborhood Laundromat, emergency medical services, real estate dilemmas and oversized bowls of fruit.

Christian shared, “The work is a result with sharing conversations in the neighborhood. We find a lot in the mundane. We find a lot in the shopping mall, ordinary places and ordinary people. The title of our first book came from a visit to the mall and overhearing a elderly lady in a wheelchair and mention to her companion, ‘This is the most special day of my life.’”

Madison, WI

Referencing “Green Pastures,” which is inspired by their childhood friend Tommy, Rob added, “You kind of get an idea of what people are about in our paintings. Tommy would do what he wanted to do. Every Christmas Tommy showed up with a handful of firecrackers and set them off. Christian laughed, “Tommy would also go around to different restaurants in the neighborhood and add itching powder to the toilet paper.” And Rob reflecting again on Tim House, “It’s a sanctuary for the narration. When you go inside you kind of got an idea of what Tommy was talking about.” And the result? A significant body of work that greets visitors to the MMoCA collection as they enter.

This Will Help Them and Tim House details

Support of this exhibition was important to me on a personal level, as Rob and Christian Clayton have been huge supporters of my design, exhibition and publishing work over the past thirteen years. They have introduced me to an important artist community in Southern California and gracious with their guidance. Rob and Christian are genuine leaders in the fine art world and it is an honor to lend, “This Will Help Them” (from the series “Green Pastures”), on display until January 2, 2011.

“Inside Out” by Rob and Christian Clayton at the Madison, WI MMoCA museum provides a historic look at two brothers paintings side by side. Travel to Madison and witness three large gallery installations and 26 large-scaled paintings.

Reference Lab Installation details

Stephen Fleischman, museum director, learned about the Clayton Brothers through a generous donation of Tim House (In Green Pastures) by Howard and Judith Tullman. Fortunately for all of us, Stephen is now a fan and the Clayton Brothers retrospective at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will be a huge success. And if you would like to learn more, please check out earlier posts about the Clayton Brothers, one and two.

Inside Out, Pre-Opening with the Clayton Brothers

This Will Help Them (on loan from the private collection of Mark Murphy)

Rob and Christian Clayton

Madison, WI features the first retrospective collection of Rob and Christian Clayton entitled, “Inside Out” at the MMoCA museum. For over ten years Rob and Christian unified forces to work in complement to each others decorated careers and for the past 48 hours, I have had the pleasure to see them in action.

Resource Center and Kids Area Installation

Rob and Christian take you on a journey that invites the viewer to participate in their new and unique worlds showcased by large-scaled works, installations and thematic shows that include, “Green Pastures” (2001-2002), “I Come From Here” (2004 - 2005), “Wishy Washy” (2006-2007), “Patient” (2007-2008), “As Is” (2008-2009) and “Jumbo Fruit” (2009-2010).

Rob and Christian Docent Tour Chat

Fortunately, I sat in on the MMoCA docent tour on Friday that walked through the 6 installation areas in sequence, highlighted by a sit down with Rob and Christian. It was interesting, as Rob and Christian introduced their process, their individual methods of thinking and how each exhibition evolves. It was most surprising to hear that each brother had their own take on any one painting, interpreting their works individually but in compliment to each other.

Installation for MMoCA Resource Center with new video

The exhibition takes place at MMoCA tonight, September 11—an ominous day to our Nation—but a most important day for Madison and the art world, as Rob and Christian Clayton introduce a unique perspective that motivates joy and inspiration. More soon. (Happy Birthday Cathie Bleck).

Clayton Brothers “Inside Out” Retrospective

“This Will Help Them (In Green Pastures)” currently on loan to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art from the Mark Murphy collection

In 1997, I visited La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood while still living in Cleveland to see Rob Clayton’s exhibition, “No Rhyme Nor Reason.” There were some great paintings, but for me the painting that really struck a chord was “How Are You, Not Bad.”

Christian Clayton : Black Velvet Lucha and Rob Clayton Lucha Libre

Almost a year went by, I gave Christian Clayton a call to collaborate on my first book, “Guapo y Fuerte” (Tough and Handsome), about the pageantry of the Mexican Luchador. Christian was excited to participate and immediately recommended that I connect with his brother Rob. I felt a bit embarrassed, as I had no idea they were related, nor that this was the guy that had created the painting I had admired while visiting L.A. With great appreciation—13 years later—Christian and Rob have introduced me to many important moments in both my personal and professional career.

Rob and Christian’s first collaboration, “Empathy Lost” 10" x 120" : 2000
(above/detail : below complete piece)

On Saturday, September 11, Rob and Christian Clayton introduce their retrospective, “Inside Out,” at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. “Inside Out” features 26 paintings and 3 mixed media installations that celebrate the Clayton Brother’s unique form of narrative and distinctive characterizations born out of questioning life’s complexities. Rob and Christian described their first collaborative experience, “Empathy Lost,” in the film “Scribble.08” which offered the unique opportunity to celebrate their close bond while honoring their childhood memories working along side their father in his studio. Christian exclaimed, “It was the most fun I ever had on a painting...” Rob shared, “It all went nice and smooth and thought hey, let’s do more of this.”

This Will Help Them (In Green Pastures) : Two canvas panels : Mixed Media : 2001

“Green Pastures” was Rob and Christian’s break out exhibition in 2001 featuring “This Will Help Them (In Green Pastures)” and their full scaled kids playhouse, “Tim House (In Green Pastures)” originally owned by Long Gone John and now part of the permanent collection at MMoCa. “Green Pastures” was an important break out exhibition at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. The Clayton’s wrote, “The Clayton Brothers invite you to take a walk through Green Pastures and step inside Tim House. Have a seat. Sing a song. Answer your own questions. Create your own story. Everyone is welcome here.”

“Tim House (In Green Pastures)” part of the permanent collection of MMoCA

In 2003, I witnessed the development of Rob and Christian’s continuous 74’ panorama made up of twenty-seven individual paintings. Each painting celebrated the story telling of Charles Murphy. Sadly, I missed the opening, as I was on a press check for their first book, “The Most Special Day of My Life” which was a collection of ten years of their painting career at that point. The book was to be created in a non-linear form, similar to their collaborative style and back and forth exchange. This book took into consideration what was next in the artistic careers of Rob and Christian.

Rob and Christian Clayton at “In the Land of Retinal Delights” Laguna Museum 2008

2003 Was a busy time for all of us, as I was shacking up on Rob’s couch (3-5 days at a time), along with his two dogs and cage full of canaries. We were all working night and day on the production, design and planning of how the book would be arranged. Not to mention, the establishment of all of the initial grids for the Fall issue of “Zoetrope All-Story” published by Francis Ford Coppola. Fittingly, the issue was titled, “The Mates Issue” and composed of Clayton Brother’s drawings, paintings and design. Meanwhile, back to “The Most Special Day...,” the press-check in China, went great, the color carefully reviewed over five days. The color reproduction exceptional, the limited edition case looked solid and Christian promised me a big fat steak dinner upon my return…and “Drippy Come Back Home.”

Drippy Come Back Home : 24"x 40" : 2003

Good times, great memories and plenty of artistic growth over the years shared between all three of us. Not to mention the balancing act of family, career, teaching and ongoing artistic development. Rob and Christian have introduced me to some great artists too. Jeff Soto, Martha Rich, Saiman Chow—all students at Art Center, and all featured in the 2002 “Outer Space” calendar project. (P.S—Jeff received his first assignment from this project).

Rob and Christian have collaborated with me in many Murphy Design projects over the years: Future/1998, SuperHero/1999 (Cover and Interior) and Outerspace/2000 monthly-calendar projects; Guapo y Fuerte (Tough and Handsome) (1998), Heaven and Hell (2001), and The Most Special Day of My Life (2003) book projects; Scribble.08 art documentary film project (2003-2009); and featured exhibitions “Guapo y Fuerte”(San Jose/CA) 1999 and “Survey Select” Narrative Art Exhibition (San Diego) 2010.

Rob and Christian have been supportive all these years. Christian has reminded me—with a smile, “Keep it up. Keep working hard!” and Rob always delivers a friendly “What have you been up to?” Rob and Christian have been there for three-fourths of my professional career and have been a great resource for inspiration. I ’d like to believe that I have been a consistent hook up for Clayton Brother Comic-Con tickets and books over the years. I can’t wait to visit “Inside Out” in Madison September 11. This will be a great opportunity to extend a personal and kind, “Super thanks!” for the great exchange.

For more information on Rob and Christian Clayton, check out their website and for more information on “Inside Out” at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art visit here. And for more information on “Survey Select” please read here.