Cliff Maynard, a True Original

Throughout history great artists have used a variety of materials and methods to create art, the art at which the world marvels.  Artist Cliff Maynard is using something a little different than most artists to create mosaics.  His medium is roach papers.   Unique art aside, Cliff is an artist with an interesting background.  Cliff moved to Pittsburgh in his early twenties to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  He recalls learning about mosaics in art class one day. That evening, Cliff was breaking up roaches for a second generation joint when he noticed an obvious similarity between the roach paper and the tiles that are used in mosaics.  Still imprinted fresh in his brain from earlier in class, Cliff started to piece the roaches together discovering that by overlapping them he could create darker tones.  So with an Xacto knife, a piece of rag board, and lots of roach papers Cliff began to create his first mosaic, Jesus Christ. When I asked Cliff why he chose Jesus as his first piece Cliff said, “I didn’t mean it in a sacrilegious way; it just seemed fitting in a respectful way.”

Cliff had to set his mosaics on the back burner about ten years ago when he decided to open a tattoo shop in Pittsburgh.  Because one of Cliff’s mosaics takes up to 70 hours to complete, he had little time to pursue them while trying to run a successful business.  He worked at and ran his tattoo shop for about seven years before he decided he wanted to become a more rounded artist and expand his horizons, so he turned back to his mosaics and pursued creating them relentlessly.  At first he started making mosaics of mostly people related to the cannabis culture; Jerry Garcia, Bob Marley, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix.  More recently, Cliff has been creating mosaics of well known hemp activists like Marc and Jodie Emery, Ed Rosenthal, and Eddy Lepp.  Cliff is going to be making a mosaic to fit around Lou Dog, the drummer from The Kottonmouth Kings drum kit; it will be a portrait of all the members in the band.

Cliff’s mosaics sell for one to two thousand dollars for a piece eight by ten inches; the prices vary for larger pieces.  Cliff’s first mosaic that he sold also happened to be his personal favorite; it is titled Creation, a picture of the hand of God reaching to the hand of Adam.  Cliff’s homage to his favorite artist, Michelangelo’s famed painting The Creation of Adam located on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.  Due to the long hours it takes to create what Cliff does, he says so far he has only made about twenty-four mosaics.  He says he does not spend long hours working in a studio; he tries to minimize the time by surrounding himself with friends, television, and of course a little pot.  After all, the roaches have to come from somewhere, right?

The largest mosaic Cliff has created is called Addiction.  Cliff says ‚”The name is kind of funny because it was more of an obsession.”  He started it ambitiously, but after the massive amount of time it was taking he got burned out and took a break.   According to Cliff, ‚”I had spent so much time on it I just couldn’t let go but I couldn’t bring myself to work on it either.”  But like most people with an obsession, he couldn’t move onto another project until Addiction was completely finished.  At fifteen by twenty-two inches, Addiction took him just over three years to complete, including the time he was taking a break from it.

Great artists throughout history have shared some similar qualities: originality, creativity and uniqueness.  Cliff Maynard and his art definitely have these qualities.  He has taken something most of us discard as garbage and turned it into beauty that we can all marvel at.  The method and medium may seem abnormal, but when has trying to fit in with the norm ever helped an artist to create a masterpiece?  You can purchase prints of Cliff’s mosaics, find out more about him, or just see his amazing artwork at his website www.chronic-art.com.  As of now, Cliff still resides in Pittsburgh; and while working on his mosaics he still runs his tattoo parlor. He is looking to come out west and is available for guest appearances at any interested tattoo parlors.  I asked Cliff if there was anything else he wanted readers to know and after a few moments of thought he said, ‚”Free Eddy Lepp.”