In his Twitter bio, artist Clinton Reno describes himself as “husband, father and poster-maker,” however, his art extends far beyond simple poster designs. His original silk-screen posters represent some of the most epic musicians rocking airwaves today.
Using screen-printing techniques, Reno — who lives in Columbus — sketches, designs and prints posters for various indie bands, as well as organizations. His work is used on promotional posters, CD artwork and T-shirt designs — or even just to be enjoyed by fans who love the bands, Reno said.
Reno will be opening an exhibit at Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, featuring 30 handpicked posters. He said college students will definitely see something they like, as most of the bands appeal to their demographic.
Bands Reno has worked for include Coldplay, My Morning Jacket and Interpol. The artist CAKE’s promotional team loved one of his show posters so much that they have featured the beige, robot design for several promotional purposes.
He actually works more with promotion-heads than the actual artists, he said, though he digs-deep to understand the history and music of the band.
“I’ve worked with bands through the posters a lot of times,” Reno said, adding that he rarely actually meets the bands.
A brush with fame occurred when he was requested to screen-print a combined poster design for vocal kings Elton John and Billy Joel. Even though he is not a fan of either music legend, he still admits the snapshot of both famous musicians holding one of his posters is cool.
“Like ‘em or hate ‘em, these guys are legends,” Reno said.
Reno added that his favorite work does not come with the limelight, but instead features bands he feels more connected with. When he designs for local bands, he is allowed more time to become familiar with the artist and work with the bands, and often will continue more projects over time with them.
A couple of his favorites include Cincinnati band Over the Rhine and My Morning Jacket.
“The posters I’ve done,” Reno said, “I’ve ended up liking more the relationships that come from it.”
Along with the exhibit opening, which Reno will attend, he’s working on two collector’s edition posters for the promotion of the Nelsonville Music Festival.
The artists he will feature include the Flaming Lips and Neko Case. Right now, the designs still exist as thumbnails, but they will soon find their ways onto posters, he said.
“This sounds kind of existential, but a poster has to kind of evolve into what it is,” Reno added.
The exhibit will open tonight during this month’s Final Fridays, between 6 to 9 p.m. and will run through May 23, ending with a special closing party May 20, hosted by Can’t Live Without Records, a student-run record label of the Hocking College School of Music.
sd476308@ohiou.edu
@ThePostCulture
