Justin Cloud: A Wyoming artist working in New York City

New York City – "There's a culture of craftsmanship in the West, and it blows their minds out here," said Justin Cloud, from his art studio in the Tribeca district of New York City. "Being from the West definitely makes me exotic."

A 2006 graduate of Worland Senior High School, a 2014 graduate of University of Wyoming, and a former resident of Ten Sleep, Cloud took a leap into the New York City art scene last year, after accepting an offer to attend graduate school at the prestigious Hunter College of the City University of New York. "All of the faculty are vets of the Ivy League and the visiting artists are pros, which is great," said Cloud of the school, famous for hands-on instruction from Museum of Modern Art artists and professors.

While Hunter offers Cloud a chance to study with some of the leading artists in the country, the transition to New York City has been another education altogether. "New York was rough at first," remembers Cloud. "Living in Wyoming is like living in a big house ... you don't see everybody all the time, but you know you are going to see them again eventually. New York is like another country. Everything is so fast, and nobody walks you through anything. You have to learn really quickly."

Cloud, whose father worked for Crown Cork and Seal and mother was a clerk with Day's Inn, took a long road to the arts, first pursuing a more traditional career in auto mechanics at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne after graduation from high school.

"Art always fascinated me, but I never took it seriously because everyone around me was working-class and pragmatic," said Cloud. "Art is very non-linear and I never considered myself brave enough to pursue it."

After dropping out of college and spending a summer in Ten Sleep, Cloud decided to make the leap and enroll at the University of Wyoming to pursue art as a career. "I just decided to go for it, and, it turns out that even the bad days are better than doing something you don't want to do."

At first, Cloud pursued becoming an art teacher, but abruptly turned fully toward art itself. "I realized there are enough teachers who regret not becoming artists, so I just jumped," remarks Cloud. "I figured out that if you jump, some sort of net will appear, but you have to jump first."

Cloud broadened his perspective by studying in India and assisting professors in post-graduate school, slowly exhibiting his art in galleries in New Mexico and Wyoming. After a year, Cloud started applying to graduate school before finally being interviewed and accepted at Hunter. "Trusting yourself is a huge battle, but it paid off," said Cloud.

Between school and navigating New York City, Cloud has taken a job as an art handler, working with some of the most famous pieces and artists in the world. "I had no idea this life existed in Wyoming," said Cloud. "In New York, there are so many opportunities to work in the arts, you kind of become immersed in it."

Life in the "big city" for a Wyoming artist has both advantages and disadvantages, as Cloud learned quickly. "The things I was scared of aren't really a problem, but you notice the differences real fast," said Cloud. Upon moving, Cloud immediately lost his wallet, and all identification. "At least I had my passport," Cloud laughed.

The biggest difference, for Cloud, has been the people. "I definitely miss the people. People in Wyoming know how to kick back, have a 'no worries' attitude and a lot less guarded," noted Cloud. "Wyoming folks are a lot more chill. Here, when somebody approaches you or simply says hello, there's a motive, so that's weird."

As an artist, Cloud has found a niche from being from the wide-open spaces of Wyoming, with a working-class background. "Being from the West makes you stand out here, and it's complicated, because identity is so nuanced. I don't feel western, and my work isn't necessarily traditionally 'western' in nature, but I can't escape that identity and it comes out in your work," remarked Cloud. "For instance, most artists go to great lengths to acquire materials and most of it is purchased. I make a lot of my stuff, my own paper and pigments and frames and stuff. They are like 'you actually MADE that?', and it just kind of blows me away because I come from a background where you make whatever you need, so it's no big deal."

For all the hustle and bustle of the city and the draw for aspiring artists from around the world, Cloud still misses a few things back in Wyoming. "I definitely miss the air. New York air is nothing to get excited about. Also, the only animals we have are giant rats," said Cloud. "You take all that for granted in the West."