Clay Ross -' I (H A V E) HAD A P L A N'

Most of us at one time, or many times, felt like we had a rock solid plan. A plan for our future, our relationships, our careers…

I have had many plans in my life and for the last 10 year I sold carpet (that was absolutely not the plan). During this time my life was spent behind the wheel and on graph paper drawing floor plans. My wife, Emily, and I also have had plans and dreams and held to them tightly, even after an unfortunate fire the took our beloved business. Again, as we worked to put the pieces together I spent so many hours dreaming and scheming on graph paper drawing floor plan after floor plan (23 to be exact) as we searched for a new home for our business.

While I wanted this collection to reflect, in some way, the countless hours spent on graph paper both rebuilding our dream as well as the unplanned career, this series is truly about our need for each other and our need to adapt.

We all have hopes, dreams, and plans, we must all learn to adapt, pivot and color outside the lines a little.

Finally, this is a thank you to the people I love and a reminder that we are all indeed beautifully dependent on one and other.

His favorite way to create is in wide open space to making an ample amount of a mess. Creative chaos is his happy place. Clay’s artistic roots began with graffiti and has grown through commissioned paintings over the last 20 years. “Art has always had a way of finding me. For most of my adult life, people have commissioned me to pant something for them whether it was a portrait, a landscape, or a mural.” After starting the Look Up Gallery in 2022, Clay had a growing desire to pursue art fully. As of April 2025, he now has his own studio space inside Yobel and The Look Up Gallery and is enjoying dedicated time and space for his art.

Clay is a proud father of 3 and husband to his wife, Emily. He and Emily are owners of Yobel, a men’s and women’s ethical and sustainable fashion boutique. He is also a self-proclaimed champion of this Colorado Springs, “If you can dream it, build it, paint it, drink or eat it, then I’m your cheerleader!”

This calendar listing is brought to you by Peak Radar, the Pikes Peak region's one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.