ART TODAY 09.18.17: Harold Cleworth illustrated the first album covers for the Rolling Stones, The Who, et. al. – but the Automobile is his first love

by | Sep 18, 2017 | Art, Art Today

’59 and ’60 Cadillac
Harold Cleworth

Harold James Cleworth is perhaps the most well known automotive artist working today. Born in the industrial North of England during the Second World War, he quickly developed a love for the aesthetics of machinery, and began painting the local Orwellian landscape. Several one-man shows were held in local pubs and libraries during his teenage years.

 

Graduating from the prestigious Manchester College of Art in 1967, he moved to London to work for Decca Records, illustrating the first album covers for the Rolling Stones, The Who, and other new groups. In 1972, frustrated with the London scene, a trip to California convinced him to stay and begin his career as a fine artist, choosing the Automobile, his first love since childhood, as the subject. A series of posters followed, amongst them the black 300 SL gullwing Mercedes, which rapidly became the most popular automotive image on the market.

 

The Chase Manhattan Bank of Zurich bought his first original, and private collectors began to commission him to paint portraits of their Bugattis, Duesenbergs, and Ferraris. Galleries invited him to exhibit in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Carmel.

TribeLA Magazine Acrostic Interview.1

Tagline: Give yourself and your work a tagline.
Harold Cleworth. Automotive artist

Rest: How do you spend your time off?
Time off from what? I love what I do! I am 78 years old and have painted professionally for 40 years. I was born to paint and I will die doing it.

Influence: What would you like to share with our audience and what effect do you hope to have on us?
I would like to share that it is not about the accumulation of “stuff”! It’s about reaching a level of contentment, allow your dream to become your reality and it should happen.


Harold James Cleworth is perhaps the most well known automotive artist working today.

Born in the industrial North of England during the Second World War, he quickly developed a love for the aesthetics of machinery, and began painting the local Orwellian landscape. Several one-man shows were held in local pubs and libraries during his teenage years.

Graduating from the prestigious Manchester College of Art in 1967, he moved to London to work for Decca Records, illustrating the first album covers for the Rolling Stones, The Who, and other new groups.

In 1972, frustrated with the London scene, a trip to California convinced him to stay and begin his career as a fine artist, choosing the Automobile, his first love since childhood, as the subject. A series of posters followed, amongst them the black 300 SL gullwing Mercedes, which rapidly became the most popular automotive image on the market. The Chase Manhattan Bank of Zurich bought his first original, and private collectors began to commission him to paint portraits of their Bugattis, Duesenbergs, and Ferraris. Galleries invited him to exhibit in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Carmel.

You can find Harold on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleworthart and his website: http://cleworthart.com
Want customized artwork? Email Harold at [email protected].


Missed yesterday’s intro

ART TODAY 09.17.17: Automobile aficionados, “The painter laureate of the car,” Harold Cleworth, is parked in Venice