Cliff Powell is a contemporary surrealist painter based in Wellington, Florida, whose work sits at the crossroads of surrealism and fantasy. Most of his paintings contain hidden meanings and symbolism that spark the imagination, but curiosity and wonder remain a common thread. Nostalgia, retro-futurism, and philosophy frequently inspire his imagery.

 

Due to a form of color vision deficiency, Cliff’s surreal and vibrant style is defined by bold, saturated color choices. Certain shades appear similar while others are difficult to distinguish, so he works intentionally within the spectrum he sees most clearly. The result is a striking palette that gives his paintings their distinctive vibrancy.

 

With three decades of experience in construction and architecture, Cliff instinctively approaches painting much like building a structure, through planning, concept development, composition, and intentional design. Each piece develops in layers, balancing disciplined structure with imagination.

 

Born in 1978 in Lake Worth, Florida, Cliff’s path to becoming a contemporary surrealist painter has been unconventional. He holds a BFA in Interior Design, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and has been a touring musician, recording artist, general contractor, interior architect, and project executive in real estate development. These experiences continue to shape his artistic perspective, blending design precision and process with creative exploration.

 

Although creativity has always been part of his life, Cliff began painting later in life to fill a void created by the demands of corporate America. Entirely self-taught, he learned to paint through determination, experimentation, and persistence. Selected works have been exhibited, featured in publications, universities, and acquired for private collections.

 

Cliff’s art is for the daydreamers, the ones who find the absurd in the ordinary and who see fantasy not as escape, but as a way to understand something deeper.