Maclin
Artist • Poet • Developer
A 30-year-old multidisciplinary artist from Cleveland, Ohio, whose creative journey spans painting, photography, poetry, and software development. Maclin's work explores the intersection of traditional artistic expression and modern digital innovation.
Artist Statement
My artistic practice is rooted in the belief that creativity transcends medium. Whether through brushstrokes on canvas, verses in poetry, or lines of code, I seek to capture the ephemeral moments of human experience and transform them into something tangible and meaningful. My work is a dialogue between the analog and digital, the traditional and the contemporary.
Living in Cleveland has taught me to find beauty in imperfection and strength in resilience. This midwestern sensibility informs my approach to art—one that values authenticity over polish, substance over style. Each piece I create is an invitation to look closer, to engage deeply, and to find connections between seemingly disparate elements of our shared human experience.
Artistic Journey
Early Beginnings in Cleveland
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Maclin's artistic journey began in the city's vibrant neighborhoods and diverse cultural landscape. Early exposure to the city's industrial heritage and rich artistic community shaped his unique perspective, blending gritty realism with poetic sensibility.
Los Angeles & Creative Media
A move to Los Angeles marked a significant turning point, where Maclin channeled his creative energy into digital storytelling. Working with prominent YouTube channels, he developed a keen understanding of visual narrative and audience engagement. This period honed his ability to distill complex ideas into compelling visual stories—a skill that would later inform his artistic practice across all mediums.
The Poetic Awakening
During his time in Los Angeles, Maclin discovered poetry as a means of exploring the deeper currents of human emotion and experience. This led to the creation of his debut poetry collection, Providence, a work that examines themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Providence - Available now on Amazon
A debut poetry collection examining themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Order on Amazon →Software Development as Art
Returning to Cleveland, Maclin embraced software development as his latest creative medium. Viewing code as a form of poetry and software architecture as digital sculpture, he approaches development with the same intentionality and aesthetic sensibility that informs his traditional artistic work. This fusion of artistic and technical disciplines creates a unique practice that bridges the gap between creativity and functionality.
Artistic Practice
Painting
Working primarily in acrylics and mixed media, Maclin's paintings explore themes of urban landscape, human connection, and the passage of time. His style combines abstract expressionism with representational elements, creating works that are both emotionally resonant and visually striking.
Photography
His photographic work captures the quiet moments and hidden beauty of everyday life. From Cleveland's industrial landscapes to intimate portraits, each photograph tells a story about place, identity, and the human condition.
Poetry
Maclin's poetry is characterized by its accessibility and emotional depth. Drawing on personal experience and universal themes, his work speaks to readers seeking meaning and connection in contemporary life.
Digital Art
Leveraging his background in software development, Maclin creates digital works that explore the intersection of technology and human experience. From generative art to interactive installations, his digital practice pushes the boundaries of traditional artistic mediums.
Influences & Philosophy
Maclin's work is influenced by a diverse range of artists and thinkers, from the abstract expressionists to contemporary digital artists. He draws inspiration from the resilience of his hometown, the innovation of the tech world, and the timeless power of poetry to capture human experience.
At the core of his practice is a belief in art as a bridge—between past and future, analog and digital, individual and collective. His work seeks to create spaces where these seemingly opposing forces can coexist and create new possibilities for understanding and connection.
Current Work
Currently based in Cleveland, Maclin continues to work across multiple mediums while developing innovative software solutions that merge artistic vision with technical expertise. His recent projects explore themes of digital identity, the nature of creativity in the age of artificial intelligence, and the enduring importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world.
Through his diverse practice, Maclin represents a new generation of artists who move seamlessly between traditional and digital mediums, creating work that is both deeply personal and universally relevant.