Painter Timothy J. Clark is an artist always on the move—both physically and creatively.  His works reflect a deep engagement with place, capturing the essence of a location through a painterly lens that mixes realism with emotional expression.  His extraordinary talent is in the spotlight at the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University in a new exhibition titled “Timothy J. Clark: Going Places.”

Opening on November 9 and running through March 8, the exhibition will feature nearly 40 of Clark’s evocative and expressive works.  This collection spans the breadth of his artistic journey and is deeply inspired by his extensive travels across the world.  Visitors to the museum can expect to experience a blend of landscapes, portraits and still lifes, each piece imbued with Clark’s signature sensitivity and mastery of technique.

“Going Places” reflects the fruits of Clark’s journeys, drawing inspiration from Spain, Portugal, Mexico and the Azores, as well as various European capitals, India, Thailand and more.  Through these international vistas, Clark transports viewers into distinct worlds, each painting offering a window into the colors, textures and atmospheres of distant lands.

While travel has been a key influence in shaping his art, Clark’s approach goes beyond mere representation.  Each painting reflects the physical landscapes as well as the cultural and historical resonances of the places he has visited.  His skill in using watercolor—a notoriously difficult medium—allows him to infuse his works with a sense of fluidity and light, capturing fleeting moments and subtle nuances that evoke the soul of a place.

The exhibition includes two notable works from the Hilbert Collection: “Berlin Bicycle” and “Prague Cathedral Musicians.”  These pieces highlight Clark’s ability to capture both the bustle of urban life and the quiet intimacy of musicians performing in a sacred space.

In “Berlin Bicycle,” shown below, the viewer’s eye is drawn to the bicycle, leaving us to wonder about its owner, where it is going and where it has been.  The bicycle in the foreground serves as a focal point, guiding the viewer’s eye through a composition filled with energy and motion.

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“Prague Cathedral Musicians,” in contrast, offers a quieter, more introspective scene.  The painting depicts a group of musicians set against the grandeur of Prague’s Gothic architecture, their focus on their instruments creating a contrast to the towering, ornate surroundings.  This work exemplifies Clark’s remarkable ability to combine delicate detail with broad, expressive strokes, creating a balance between the grandeur of place and the human presence within it.

In addition to these pieces, the exhibition will include works from Clark’s personal collection and from various other collectors.  His still lifes, portraits and genre scenes demonstrate his versatility as an artist, as well as his keen eye for capturing the subtle interplay of light, shadow and form.  Whether portraying a quiet moment of reflection in a portrait or the transient beauty of everyday objects in a still life, Clark’s work is always underpinned by a deep emotional resonance.

Clark’s mastery of watercolor, a medium often associated with light and ephemeral qualities, is a hallmark of his work.  His ability to control the unpredictable nature of watercolor, combined with his meticulous attention to detail, allows him to create works that are at once precise and spontaneous.  He uses the transparency of watercolor to build layers of meaning, often leaving parts of the paper bare to create luminosity and depth.  This technique is especially effective in his landscapes, where the interplay of light and shadow becomes a vital component of the narrative.

In “Going Places,” this mastery is on full display.  His works inspired by the warm hues of Spain or the bright sunshine of India on the Taj Mahal, for instance, offer a visual feast for viewers.  Through his nuanced understanding of color and composition, Clark captures not just the appearance of these places, but the feelings they evoke—the warmth of the Mediterranean sun or the quiet solitude of a Thai temple.

While much of “Going Places” focuses on Clark’s travels, the exhibition also offers a glimpse into the artist’s more personal works—portraits and still lifes that demonstrate his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with sensitivity and insight.  His portraits, in particular, are striking for their realism and emotional depth.  Each face tells a story, with subtle expressions and delicate handling of light that bring his subjects to life.  In these works, Clark’s technical skill is matched by his empathy, creating images that resonate on a deeply human level.

“Timothy J. Clark: Going Places” offers a comprehensive look at the work of an artist whose career has been shaped by a passion for exploration, both in terms of geography and artistic expression.  The exhibition provides a rare opportunity to experience Clark’s vision up close, as he invites viewers to join him on a journey through the places, people and moments that have inspired him.

Hilbert Museum of California Art
167 North Atchison St.  /  714-516-5880  /  Open Tues-Sat, 10 am - 5 pm  /  Free admission