Clinton was born in New Zealand and now lives in L.A. Because of his father, who was a Navy Seal, Clinton’s upbringing was a mix of Kiwi, Maori and U.S. Military cultures. Learning wilderness survival techniques from his dad as he grew up would help him later in life when going through hard times – down and out in Los Angeles.
In L.A. Clinton was exposed for the first time to Mexican art and artists and became mesmerized by the "Street" life of the downtown area. He spent a decade living there, struggling to get by, all the time immersing himself in the artistic community and documenting his own urban life.
Clinton is inspired by people, his surroundings, and places he visits. He seeks to show the interconnectedness of people and the world around him in his artwork. It is fantastic amalgamation of his roots in nature, his urban soul, the Maori influences from his native land, and the deep respect he holds for the cosmic. All is stamped with an eye on the “Street.”
His murals, which are executed in every conceivable style, show mastery of large scale drawing and composition. His images often have political or social elements, and he feels they portray an accurate image of the world in which we live. He wants his works, which are filled layer upon layer with narrative, mystic and literal street elements to engulf their environments.
Clinton is influenced by the Renaissance and Mexican murals and the idea that art should communicate a message or story.
Though he prefers acrylic paint, he often uses a spray can, oil paint, and paint pens and will paint on any surface which comes to hand. This includes recycled canvas that has perhaps been abandoned, wood, walls, shoes, furniture – or any surface.
Clinton Bopp paints murals for public and private clients. His work is represented in several collections.