Daily Inspiration: Meet Lainey Clifford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lainey Clifford. 

Lainey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been a really artsy child, or at least one prone to creating. I always loved to draw and create in any form I could, from drawing and painting to even things such as sewing and costume making. I really started putting conscious effort into improvement and broadening my horizons from obsessively drawing dragons when I was about 12. Around this time, I ended up stumbling into creating my first original characters and developing their stories with the intent to publish at some point in the future, which is where I place most of my artistic endeavors to this day. I started playing the flute when I entered 6th grade and found a huge spark of passion in band. Soon bassoon, piccolo, alto, and bari saxophone were added to the ranks of my beloved instruments. Art and music were, and still are, my lifeblood. When the onset of health issues began for me, I, unfortunately, had to set my band days to the side, as playing became too physically demanding for my decaying wellbeing. Where actively involving myself in music began to fade, visual art and drawing has taken center stage. Long stretches of isolation, severe pain, and numerous struggles are made easier through creation. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been…less than smooth. My life was completely and totally turned upside down about five years back by some severe chronic health issues that hit hard and fast. Now with three diagnosed chronic conditions (and counting) at the age of 17, my life has had to be reframed. In the span of four years, I’ve spent countless hours at doctor’s appointments, taken hundreds of different medications, and lost nearly every part of my life. 

When I lost the ability to physically handle my other passion of being a musician, art became my crutch. A sketchbook is in my hand at every moment. Illustrating the fantastical worlds and stories in my head gives an escape from the fear and pain of my diagnoses and gives me a place to vent my frustrations and turn my focus to something productive. I made the hard decision to drop out of school at the start of my senior year after a life of being a perfectionist honor student. There’s been a lot of grief that came with losing all sense of a normal life, on top of grief from losing a very dear friend last year. Lots of hard, complicated emotions are easier to process when you have an outlet. 

While recently I’ve found myself having to trade a paintbrush for a digital stylus during long stretches of being bedbound, I still create and find my passion and sanctuary in art. Be it a well of ink or a digital program, the desire to create is there. Things still aren’t fixed, unfortunately. Every day is still a battle with uncertainty and pain, but I just take all the shaky baby steps I can manage. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For the most part, I’m an illustrator. I specialize in 2-D art, though I’m always interested in expanding into different mediums such as sculpture, sewing, glass, and even animation. My heart is in traditional art – I enjoy the texture of the paper, palettes of paint, a fountain pen and ink, etc. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms I experience due to my illnesses make traditional art difficult, so I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately experimenting with digital art. 

My original characters are one thing that I’m known for. I’m currently developing three stories- two historical fiction and one sci-fi – all with their own cast of characters and plot. Many of the examples of my art provided are illustrations of said characters. I spend a great amount of time doing research to make sure the details of the characters, be it their clothing, professions, or backstory, are accurate. I take pride in dedication to detail, be that determining the gun that an outlaw in the 1870s would wear on their hip or constructing a whole alien race from the ground up. 

Over the years, I’ve taken on an assortment of commissions and projects: painting an eight-foot-tall dinosaur playing the saxophone onto the window of the community band’s practice facility; doing concepts for other artists; portraits of friends and pets; t-shirt designs; and even concept drawings for chainsaw carvings. Ultimately, my goal is to publish my original stories someday, illustrate children’s books, and specialize in character design or concept art. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Through my illnesses, I’ve found that art and creativity provide an escape from problems and dread. It was the same during the pandemic. When the news and social media was full of negativity, creative endeavors take you to a happier place. Art tends to be a more solitary activity, so the enforced shutdowns didn’t stop me from doing what I love. 

Contact Info:

• Email: cliffsydeillustration@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cliffsyde_illustration?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cliffsydeillustration/

Image Credits
Bev Harms