When crossing a street, have you ever noticed a mural that drew your attention? or an original work of art on a dish, a window, or any other object? Or perhaps you're enjoying your coffee at a pavement café when you notice a drawing on a wall? Award-winning artist Clym Evernden creates works of art that captivate viewers from the moment they first lay eyes on them.

Clym has always used drawing as a means of expression. It allowed him to articulate his interests at an early age; he drew a great deal of animals and birds, and as he got older, fashion became more and more of an interest.

He is now regarded as one of the most powerful individuals in London, working with a number of high-end businesses to communicate their concepts through vibrant, eye-catching, yet straightforward illustrations. Among his well-known partnerships are designs for Rolls-Royce, Michael Kors, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton. His prominence, especially on social media, has propelled him to new heights, most recently to the Gulf area.

Clym initially travelled to Qatar as part of a collaboration with Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, The Pearl, where he created pictures based on his experiences staying at the opulent establishment. He credits his Instagram popularity for this new affiliation.

When we had a conversation with Clym in Qatar, we inquired about the necessity of having a strong social media presence for musicians in the modern day. We also spoke about how he breaks through creative barriers and, of course, how AI (Artificial Intelligence) is used in contemporary art. Takeaways from the conversation:

Do you use a certain theme or creative approach in your artwork?

It combines the fantastical with the realistic in a vibrant way. That, I believe, is my style.

Speaking of styles, are there any pieces of art or artists that you find inspiring or have been impacted by over the years?

For me, it's such a broad blend. Despite the fact that the work I make is very illustrative, I truly enjoy the notion of not staying in one genre. I have a strong interest in photography and fashion design, and I get a lot of inspiration from everyday life and individuals I see on the street. Therefore, nobody in particular in terms of artists. I suppose I get inspiration from my buddies as well.

Which is your favourite period in art history out of all these?

I adore the present era. When it comes to graphic design alone, I particularly enjoy the early 1900s Art Deco era. It has some pretty intriguing architecture, art, and occasionally even Art Nouveau.

Let's say you have a blank canvas in front of you and predetermined goals. When you sit down to work, what's on your mind?

It always begins for me with an absolutely fantastic notion. That seems to be the primary concern. Frequently, I'll have an idea in my head—like going to the gym or something—but I haven't always been able to see it. As a result, a lot of my work has a unique concept or twist, particularly for my video work.
I may simply be staring at a glass, contemplating the form of the shadow or the coaster, and then my thoughts turn to the sun; otherwise, I may observe something and instantly receive an idea that is only in my brain. I am essentially attempting to get the thought down on paper before I forget it when I put pen to paper.

At some time, you could have encountered a creative block. How do you get over it?

If I push my creativity too much, it usually results in creative block. It goes without saying that I spend a lot of time by myself at my studio.
The key is to just set everything aside and do things like go to the gym, take a walk, see friends, or get out of the house. This will help to clear your mind a little bit. Exercise in particular will help you think more clearly and openly than if you keep working on the same idea that will never come to pass.

How do you feel about art created by AI?

I think the development of AI to be incredibly fascinating. It doesn't fit the way I operate, thus I won't be incorporating it into my work. However, there are certain pictures that I think are fascinating, especially the ones that visualise architectural settings. I've seen artists create representations that appear to be quite realistic yet are actually more like fiction. For example, an enormous living room in the Los Angeles style with a palm tree and a pool in the centre that appears to be a real photo. Those are the amusing and fascinating kinds of stuff. They transport you to another place and are really inventive.

Instagram was the conduit for your partnership with Four Seasons in Qatar. Would you then argue that artists in the modern world need to be active on social media?

It all depends on the individual artist. I don't think it's necessary. In my opinion, Instagram had a really exciting first phase when it was growing rapidly, maybe before to the introduction of the algorithm, which made it easier to use. Even though Instagram and other social media platforms are now so crowded that it may be very challenging to stand out, people can still use them to their advantage in terms of visibility. I really like those that operate in a very discreet manner.They are working for themselves and don't really want to share their efforts.

Are you planning a trip to Dubai soon?

Although I don't currently have any plans, I'm always game. I know it has changed a lot since my previous visit, which was twelve years ago, so I would be quite happy to go again. Everything is amazing, including the huge structures and hotels, which I'm sure will alter much even in a year. Additionally, I recall malls to be quite wonderful; they are all quaint. Despite the slightly different environment, the trip from London isn't too awful. It's not that far.