Clarence J. Pointer / Photo via Clarence J. Pointer
*Clarence J. Pointer, known as “Pencilman,” was born in Hillsboro, a small town in Alabama. It was there he developed his God-given talent at the tender age of 5 years old. That incredible talent is why he’s also known as Clarence ‘Pencilman’ Pointer.
With no formal training, only the belief and support from family and friends, Pointer started his journey. Over time, he formed his own unique style of drawing.
He always believed in creating realistic, detailed pieces that would best showcase his utmost abilities. Pointer welcomes challenging and seemingly difficult projects, “it keeps me sharp”, says Pointer.
Pointer gave himself the title “Pencilman” as his work began to evolve into masterful drawings using only a pencil. “People are often blown away by the optimum level of detail displayed in each piece, I guess seeing is not always believing. Striving to always get better with each task is the force that drives me”, says Pointer.
Success finally came after years of practice, perseverance, self-discipline, patience, and determination to be the best. While serving in the Air Force stationed at Okinawa, Japan, a master Japanese artist told Pointer to “devote even more time to each project’. After those words of wisdom, Pointer began winning numerous art competitions throughout Southern California gaining a local fanbase.
Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper – poster
Sparks – poster
While partaking at an industry event in Los Angeles, Comedian, and actress, Kim Whitley, a good friend of Pointer’s, introduced him to the then-set producer of both hit television series ABC’s “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” and “Sparks,” which aired on UPN. Before long, Pointer’s art became a fixture on both shows for the world at large to see. As a direct result, he received primetime interviews on Time Warner, ABC, FOX, and CBS News including countless newspaper articles and podcast appearances. Over the last 3 decades, Pointer has been extremely busy, commissioned by several organizations to create portraits of many affluent and influential people, from the likes of Rosa Parks to showcasing his art at Motown Legend Smokey Robinson’s, 1st Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament in 2005, to drawing the cast of the Gospel Musical Play “Gods Trying To Tell Me Something,” creating an entire wall of the legendary musical artist for Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver, Willie “Flipper” Anderson, creating a masterful piece of the legendary activist and comedian Dick Gregory for the 4th Annual Comedy Convention in Hollywood, CA and of Yolonda “YOYO” Whitaker, for a Hollywood event celebrating her 25 years in the music industry just to name a few.
Pointer was hand-selected as Art Director of the publication “Black Bottom-Line” by its founder and publisher Dr. John Ward as well as Art Director and Illustrator for JMC Gospel Music Record Label in January 2009 by Founder and CEO Janice Marshall. Pointer is the only artist to ever create and design the CD covers for all of the artists on the label. Pointer was also hand-selected to create portraits for the following; Ambassador Andrew Young for the “It Takes a Village Foundation”, for Oscar Cunningham’s African American Sports Museum, Bill Duke for Black History Month, for the Board of Directors of The Village Foundation to create a portrait of 1968 Olympian John Carlos, for the legendary Mr Hank Dixon, the last existing member of The Originals, a Motown singing group, for the legendary Mr. Gene Chandler, “The Duke of Earl,” as he received his Entertainment Legacy Award, for the Apollo Theater’s Percy Sutton and PR Specialist Terrie Williams and for the Luther Vandross Tribute.
Celebrity pencil drawings by Clarence J. Pointer a/k/a
Pointer currently has portraits displayed at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, the famous Soul Food restaurant located in downtown Hollywood, where you could see almost any celebrity on any given day. Many celebrities have acquired Mr. Pointer’s artwork; from the likes of Singers/Entertainers, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Barry Gordy, and Melba Moore to Actors, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Troy Byer, Ella Joyce Sy Richardson. His most recent art exhibition was held at the MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim, California, and lastly, at the Beverly Hills Country Club, where Malcolm-Jamaal Warner personally autographed a portrait of himself drawn by Pointer.
As if that’s not enough, Pointer was personally invited to the Barack Obama Inauguration Celebration in Beverly Hills, CA to showcase his drawings. He was also honored as Best Celebrity Pencil Artist of the Year for both 2017 and 2022 by www.CitrilStarz.com organization. Pointer was chosen as Man of the Year by New England, Informer Magazine in 2017 and is currently recognized as the official artist for www.sportslifemagazine.com.
Pointer participated in the Fuller Gordy annual “Strikefest” fundraiser donating a drawing to the silent auction. He will be donating an original drawing of Sojourner Truth, to a museum in Sacramento, CA in her honor. He also volunteers, giving quarterly lectures at the local Antelope Valley Colleges with the hopes of inspiring and encouraging the students. Pointer gives back by serving as a mentor to many via social media and making public appearances by sharing what he’s learned throughout his journey. These are just a few of the numerous accomplishments throughout Pointer’s journey as a professional artist. A portion of the proceeds from his art is donated to needy charities around the world. With hundreds of drawings to his credit, the “Pencilman,” shows no signs of slowing down.
FOLLOW CLARENCE ‘PENCILMAN’ POINTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA @
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarencepointer/
Website: www.clarencepointer.com
Contact Info
Jerome Brooks (manager)
Brooks Talent Management (BTM)
“Where Preparation Meets Opportunity”
www.brookstm.com
Office: (818)962-0012
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