Born to a military family in Harlem, NY, McCloud spent his childhood in several places including France, Germany, and Great Britain. His family eventually settled in Southern California. Although his interest in drawing dates back before actual memory, it was only after finishing high school that he decided to pursue art seriously until after high school. He graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University where he studied under Raymond Saunders.
McCloud’s unique imagery incorporates elements of text and pattern combined with subtle effects of color and design. He explains in a recent artist statement, “my recent series explores my relationship (both conscious and unconscious), to the Sea Islands of Charleston, SC Gullah culture and to the importance of rice and indigo in the establishment of that culture.” Images informed by iron gates of the late Charleston master blacksmith Phillip Simmons are incorporated with several influences including nature, literature, and music.
Recently, the painting, “By Gullah Gate” was included in the United States ART in Embassies Program and was installed for a year in the Ambassador’s residence in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In 2009 a painting titled “The Soloist Often Sings the Sweetest” was commissioned by Verizon and was included in the Verizon “How Sweet the Sound” Gospel Competition program representing the city of Oakland.
www.aviscafineart.com/Gallery_Artists/Rawn_McCloud/rawn_mccloud.html
