Cleworth Originals - get in line

For most people, one successful career is an incredible achievement.  For the rare few like Harold Cleworth, one “claim to fame” simply isn’t enough.  Today, Harold Cleworth Originals are some of the best known automotive art in the world, but his craft and art have taken him down several successful paths.

Called the “painter laureate of the car”, Harold Cleworth originals adorn the homes, garages and offices of both car collectors and celebrities.  Among his list of clients are people such as Jay Leno and Nicolas Cage. John Schneider, the original “Dukes of Hazzard” Bo Duke, owns a stunning portrait of a Lamborghini Countach by Harold Cleworth and automotive icon John DeLorean once commissioned a Harold Cleworth original as a gift for his former wife Christina Ferrari.

Cleworth Originals, one of a kind collectors items
Of English descent, Harold James Cleworth wasn’t always a painter of cars.  Born in Leigh, Lancaster, in the industrial area of northern England, Cleworth grew up drawing and painting the heavy machinery and industrial neighborhoods of England.  Because of his impressive work, he was accepted at the famous Manchester College of Art.

This path led to the first of Harold Cleworth’s amazing careers.  After his graduation from Manchester, Harold Cleworth worked for Decca Records.  Cleworth Originals graced the covers of such newcomers as the Rolling Stones, The Who and others.  For many people, this would be the pinnacle of a successful career; well Harold Cleworth isn’t ordinary and neither is his career!

Following a chance meeting with some Americans in London, Harold Cleworth decided to change course and go to America to follow his lifelong passion for automobiles.  Harold Cleworth moved to San Francisco and began a new career as an automobile artist. In the beginning,  traded his artwork for rent; his landlord valued one of his early pieces highly enough that she accepted it in exchange for an entire year’s lodging!

When San Francisco car dealer Richard Rubin commissioned the now famous Mercedes Gullwing, with signature gull wing doors wide open, Harold Cleworth original art would never be the same.  Soon after, private collectors around the world wanted Harold Cleworth originals.  Commissions to paint exacting portraits followed: Duesenbergs, Ferraris, Packards and Bugattis.  Corporate commissions were next, with requests from automotive giants such as Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Isuzu and Saab.  Each of these companies wanted Harold Cleworth originals of their newest models.

For Harold Cleworth, a second career, and a second success.  But this one would be special; his trademark techniques of “super-realism” give Harold Cleworth originals a photo-like quality.  This signature style has grown from not only including oil paintings, but lithographs, posters and Giclées as well.  Because of his world-wide fame, Harold Cleworth originals are rarely on the open market and when sold, obtain incredible sums of money.

Such a rare artist with such amazing talent is, of course, in great demand.  There are typically only six or seven Harold Cleworth originals produced each year and these are all commissioned works.  With the prices of Harold Cleworth Originals climbing, any original work by Harold Cleworth can be considered a prize investment piece as well.  Many of his limited edition prints have increased by 800% or more since their introduction.

Harold Cleworth has a talent and career that have transcended the normal idea of success.  Owning a Harold Cleworth original is a unique opportunity for a collector or investor to do the same; to ride along on this amazing journey with the artist who went from the Rolling Stones to rolling thunder.

For more information about Harold Cleworth Originals and to view his artwork, please click here.