Clifford How was born in Tasmania in 1974. He currently lives and works in Launceston (Tyerrernotepanner).

How has practised as an artist for over eighteen years and had work exhibited extensively in Tasmania and Sydney. He was the recipient of the Hornsby Art Prize (2018), Wrest Point Art Award (2017) and TASART Award (2016), and has been a finalist in the Kings School Art Prize (2024), Calleen Art Prize (2017), Glover Art Prize (2017, 2016) and Paddington Art Prize (2016).

In 2018, How's practice was featured in Amber Creswell Bell's A Painted Landscape – Across Australia from Bush to Coast alongside several other significant Australian landscape painters.