About
The Artist
Chris “Clean the Artist” McLaughlin
Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, I’m a contemporary artist now based in New Buffalo, Michigan. I completed my first painting on April 26, 2022, after a series of unexpected surgeries changed the course of my life. What began as a way to manage pain and support cognitive healing quickly grew into a powerful creative pursuit.
Since then, I have produced more than 350 paintings, exploring a wide range of styles without restricting myself to a single genre. My work is driven by imagination, experimentation, passion and a steady flow of new ideas.
The journey from that first painting to over 350 works in just over two years reflects not just productivity, but transformation. That lighthouse—painted on a cutting board with basic acrylics—taught me something crucial: I could do this. Each piece that followed taught me more about technique, about vision, about what’s possible when you commit fully to creative exploration. Art became more than therapy—it became purpose, identity, and livelihood.
I also perform live paintings at charitable events and fundraising galas, using my creative process to support community causes. These performances combine entertainment with philanthropy, demonstrating the artistic process in real-time while generating auction pieces that directly benefit organizations making positive impact.
My work has also taken me to larger stages. I appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay twice—first on September 23, 2023, when Ohio State visited Notre Dame, and again on December 20, 2024, during the first round of the College Football Playoff against Indiana. During my second appearance, I painted the GameDay crew live during the broadcast, capturing Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, and the entire set in real-time as the show unfolded before thousands of Fighting Irish fans. These high-pressure, public performances taught me that live painting thrives on energy exchange—the crowd’s excitement fuels the creative process.
What began as a way to manage pain and support cognitive healing quickly grew into a powerful creative pursuit.
— Chris “Clean the Artist” McLaughlin
Let it “Glow” LED canvas system
This work spans a remarkable range: textured mixed media pieces incorporating beach sand, patent-pending backlit artwork with remote-controlled illumination, dimensional floral compositions, abstract expressions, nature-inspired waterscapes, and officially licensed University of Notre Dame collections. This diversity reflects a philosophy of exploration over limitation—refusing to be confined to a single style or technique.
The “Let it Glow” collection features a patent-pending backlit canvas systems I build myself before painting, allowing artwork to illuminate in customizable colors via remote control. The Golden Dome glows in gold, shamrocks pulse in Irish green, sunsets shift from amber to purple—transforming static paintings into interactive experiences that adapt to mood and atmosphere.
I opened my first gallery in Buchanan, Michigan, before establishing my current gallery in New Buffalo, where I have been showcasing my art for over a year and a half. Drawing on my background in sales, management and business ownership, I connect naturally with visitors and speak about my work with authenticity and ease.
Located at 225 N. Whittaker Street in downtown New Buffalo, Imagine Art Gallery & Studio showcases this evolving body of work while serving as a creative hub just blocks from the Lake Michigan shoreline that inspires so much of the work.
“This is definitely what I’m supposed to be doing…I’m working hard all the time – but I love it”
— Chris “Clean the Artist” McLaughlin
The Artistic Journey
Innovation continues to drive the work forward. The “Wave over Me” series incorporates actual sand from Lake Michigan beaches—New Buffalo Public Beach, Warren Dunes—directly into coastal paintings, creating artwork that doesn’t just depict the shoreline but physically contains it. Collectors worldwide send sand from their meaningful locations, and I create custom pieces that preserve those places in tangible form.
In addition, I am a licensed fine artist and licensed photographer with the University of Notre Dame—one of only a handful of officially licensed Notre Dame artists. This recognition allows me to create authentic Fighting Irish artwork, from Golden Dome landscapes to illuminated shamrock pieces, all carrying the university’s official approval.
Resilient, driven and continually inspired, I approach my art with the belief that I have thousands more paintings still ahead of me. From hospital recovery to gallery owner, from cutting board lighthouse to ESPN appearances to Notre Dame licensing—each chapter builds on the last, and the journey continues.
Explore the Work
Browse collections spanning abstract compositions, nature-inspired pieces, Notre Dame artwork, backlit LED creations, and mixed media with integrated beach sand.
Live Painting Experiences
Learn about Chris’s live painting performances, including his memorable ESPN College GameDay appearances at Notre Dame and ongoing charity event work.
Visit the Gallery
Experience the artwork in person at Imagine Art Gallery & Studio in downtown New Buffalo, MI. Open daily 11am-7pm (or by appointment), just blocks from Lake Michigan.