What happens when an artist decides to cancel his "Blacking Out Downtown Show" for good? In this deeply authentic conversation, local Ellensburg artist Jason Clifton marks six months of sobriety by sharing the unexpected freedom he's discovered in living alcohol-free.

From his roots as a California skateboarder who found his way to the Pacific Northwest in 1990, Jason takes us through his evolution as an artist, musician, and community fixture. His unique artistic approach combines street art techniques with fine art sensibilities, resulting in distinctive works created through hand-cut stencils and spray paint. Having painted eleven murals throughout Ellensburg and run various skateboard shops over the years, Jason's creative presence has been woven into the fabric of the community for decades.

The heart of this conversation explores how Jason's relationship with sobriety has transformed his experience of life and art. Rather than viewing sobriety as restrictive, he describes it as a "superpower" that allows him to move through social spaces with newfound freedom and lightness. A pivotal DMT experience helped him recognize how he carried the weight of others' perceived judgments—a realization that eventually extended to understanding how alcohol similarly controlled aspects of his life. Most compelling is Jason's observation that when we fill our lives with purpose—whether through creative expression, skateboarding, or meaningful relationships—substances naturally lose their appeal.

For anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol or seeking deeper understanding about recovery, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective that goes beyond conventional narratives. It's not about fighting against substances but about reclaiming agency and allowing awareness to become the pilot instead of letting the body run the show. As Jason puts it, "I just gave up on believing and I just operate on what I know to be true."

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