“Cone Man”
About the Artist
John Claypool (b. 1940) is a self-taught "outside" artist and retired roofing contractor from Los Angeles, California. He became interested in art as a young man through his sister who was an art teacher. She introduced him to prominent Los Angeles artist, Connor Everts, who became a family friend. Everts encouraged Claypool over the years, and Claypool enjoyed helping prepare gallery shows for the controversial artist. Although he has dabbled in art since his early twenties, Claypool didn't start drawing and painting seriously until he was fifty years old. Claypool's lack of formal training and technical drawing inspires his loose and playful approach. Deeply auto-biographical and occasionally political in nature, his artwork is a very personal form of storytelling. Claypool is a true outside artist who experiments with all kinds of styles and mediums. While his work has grown technically over the years, he is grateful that he chose an interesting creative path that led him to his unique and engaging point-of-view.