Joint filter art That Can Get You High:The Chronic Art Of Cliff Maynard Throughout history and particularly in the last century, artists have used less-than-legal substances as inspiration in their creative ventures and explorations, and have even gone so far as to pursue said creative activities under the influence of said less-than-legal substances. But it's a rarity when an artist actually uses her or his illegal past-times to make the art itself. Maynard collects thousands of the little buggers (the website does not detail exactly how, cough, ahem, cough) and then, using an Exacto knife, carefully (an 8x10 inch piece takes up to 70 plus hours) cuts out tiny little "puzzle pieces" to be fit together like, well, a mosaic.
From Jesus to Snoop Dogg, Cliff Maynard’s roach paper art knows no bounds. I’m Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon would appreciate his work as a “high” art form (no pun intended). Listening to Cliff Maynard describe his Chronic Art with statements like, “It’s kinda simple, really” could drive a person crazy with jealousy. The sheer complexity of the work would boggle lesser lights, but Cliff has a love of the art, and of course, the Chronic. In Chronic Art we see the inspiration of someone who was forced to use his imagination at an early age. That may explain his ability to seemingly shrug off a talent that is truly amazing. Cliff had the opportunity to explore the arts and clearly took his cue from the great mosaics of the past. “I was studying mosaics in school” recalls Cliff. “I just remember sort of making this connection in my head between the tiles and roach papers. It’s when one sees the level of detail in Cliff’s work that the true amazement begins. Little bits of paper– otherwise thrown away– cut into delicate shapes and arranged together in such a way as to form a true work of art. In addition to projects near and dear to his heart, Cliff does private commissions as well, and is currently designing the official collectors edition poster for the 2009 Seattle Hempfest. His work was first published in the #73 Jan/Feb issue of Cannabis Culture Magazine.

The fantastic level of detail present in Cliff's work is truly mind-boggling. When you start to grok how much time must have been spent fitting together all those sticky little bits of paper, cutting and arranging them in a way as to form a work of art, you have to admire this guy's dedication. Hell, Cliff is a one-man refutation of pot's supposed "amotivational syndrome." Maynard's unique and phenomenal talent has turned the heads of numerous cannabis luminaries such as Cheech & Chong, Marc Emery ("a roach art Renaissance!"), Todd McCormick ("absolutely epic!"), Rev. Eddy Lepp ("I LOVE this shit!"), and Vivian McPeak, all of whom totally freaked on the level of passion, skill and detail in Cliff's work.

Cliff hard at work at his day job as tattoo artist. "Cliff's incredible roach paper renderings are beyond stunning, they are phenomenal," said McPeak, executive director of Seattle Hempfest. "Cliff's ability to make the papers come alive and fool the mind's eye is a unique gift that everyone should get a chance to witness."
Or as the inimitable Tommy Chong put it, "Creative way to dispose of roaches, man!"
I was studying mosaics in school. I just remember sort of making this connection in my head between the tiles and roach papers.
Do they smell?
How long does it take?
How many papers go in to one of your pieces?
How much does an original cost?
comments“This art is SMO-KIN!”…..Cheech Marin
“Creative way to dispose of roaches, man”…..Tommy Chong
“Chronic Art is a roach art Renaissance!”…..Marc Emery ~ Activist & Executive Editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine
“Your artwork is truly amazing. I’m BLOWN AWAY and think this is the finest combination of tramp/prison/tattoo art I’ve ever seen in the weed world..This work is brilliant”…..Josh Gilbert ~ Director of the award winning documentary film a/k/a Tommy Chong
“I’m extremely impressed by Cliff’s breathtaking collection of hand-crafted roach paper portraits! It’s incredible artwork like no one has ever seen before.”…..Jodie Emery ~ Activist & Assistant Editor Cannabis Culture Magazine

“Dude,YOU are phenomenal!! Craziest shit I’ve ever seen!”…..Lou Dog ~ Kottonmouth Kings
“Thanks for sharin these man. They made me smile.”…..Buddy Wakefield ~ Two-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion featured on NPR, the BBC, & HBO’s Def Poetry Jam.
“Absolutely epic!!!”…..Todd McCormick~ Activist, Photographer, Producer.
“DAT SHIT IS OFF DA HOOK!!! UNFUKINBULEVEABLE!!!!”…..Ponyboy ~ LOS MARIJUANOS
“I LOVE this shit!!!”…..Rev. Eddy Lepp
“Save your roaches and support the arts”…..Ngaio ~ Comedian, Emcee, Activist.
source.....http://www.chronic-art.comhttp://www.thelmagazine.comhttp://www.trendhunter.comhttp://vision02.comhttp://www.chronic-art.comhttp://www.tokeofthetown.com

|