'Autism is my superpower', says artist

1 day ago

Emma Daviesin Malvern

News image — Rhys Caldwell-Clarkson started his own art business, Art on the Spectrum

BBC A man with brown hair and facial stubble. He is wearing black glasses and a blue and white top. On a white table behind him are two small paintings on small brown easels in front of a window. One has a blue lake next to grass, trees and a blue sky. The other is blue and orange water below a starry night sky. — Rhys Caldwell-Clarkson started his own art business, Art on the Spectrum

"Autism affects people in many different ways, but instead of a disability you've got to look at it as a superpower."

After quitting his retail job due to finding it overwhelming, Rhys Caldwell-Clarkson from Malvern took the leap into setting up his own shop, Art on the Spectrum.

He sells paintings that are inspired by the landscape of the Worcestershire countryside.

"Autism and you, together, will find your gift… me and autism found my gift in art - and how quickly I learned, I'm gobsmacked," he said.

He does his painting from a room in his home, which he said was a safe space for him.

"It's like my own little world where it's just me, the moment I step in this room is the moment that I forget everything," he said.

"The moment your brush touches the canvas, your mind goes completely into a different world."

Two paintings on a white table. On the left, there is a grey mountain speckled with white snow. It is surrounded by tall green trees. There is a dark blue starry sky with a white moon and grey fluffy clouds. The other, on the right, is a floating island with a large tree on it. Half of the tree is in the daylight with a blue sky, clouds and birds. The other side is at night time, with a dark sky and stars — Caldwell-Clarkson says painting helps him to escape reality

One of the things he paints are "floating islands", which he describes as "a little place for people to go to because of the busyness in everyone's lives around the world."

"I had inspiration of the floating islands from a YouTuber called Serena Art… even Bob Ross, who is also my inspiration."

On his other paintings, which are based on the local landscape of the county, he said: "When I go on the bus in Worcester and we go across the River Severn, it's just such a beautiful place, you see the swans... mentally, that's the floating island of Worcester."

A man with brown hair, brown facial stubble and black glasses wearing a blue and white long sleeved top. He is leaning over a white table, painting on a small canvas. The painting has an orange and red ombre background and he is beginning to paint a black floating island. There are other canvases and painting supplies around him — He sells his paintings online and has ambition to open his own shop

Caldwell-Clarkson began posting his art on Facebook recently, and said it got attention as a result.

"It just gave me a boost… I never really felt that pleased before in my life," he said.

"Sometimes, my paintings, I think: 'Oh dear, who's going to want to buy these?' And now I feel so happy that people are recognising me.

"The whole reason for this business is a stress-free business… I'm hoping one day, I'll be able to open up a shop in Malvern called Art on the Spectrum, and it'll be a nice little place for autistic people or any people to go to, to relax."

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