vibrancy

I'm Clare, welcome to my blog. I am based in the heart of England and spend my days observing the world around me and interpreting it with spirited use of colour. Enjoy your stay!

[clare-wassermann-art]

Well it’s raining in Granada so a bar was the only option really. Trying not to dip a paintbrush in the red wine I dabble in the sketchbook. The hams are hanging around waiting for non vegetarians and the people are hanging around the free tapas with a drink. Such a great idea. All freshly cooked and cheap as, but infinitely better than, chips. #granadaspain #tapas #paintingandeating #urbansketching #andalucia_turismo #vinotinto #travelsketchbook #clarewassermann #traveljournal #amanwalkedintoabar #mycreativetouchstones #artjournal #artinspain (at La Gran Taberna) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3-PYgbBGnP/?igshid=pl0ut5rkpfdf

[clare-wassermann-art]

Oil painting as challenge

I have been enjoying the conversion from acrylic paint to oil paint over the past year but it comes with huge challenges such as such the slow drying time and oodles of technical considerations such as working fat over lean / different transparencies and pigment quirks not to mention differences in brands and colours!

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However the challenge is a compulsive one for me. The sheer beauty of the feel of applying the paint is divine and leaves one craving the next session. Wiping off mistakes is a big plus over acrylics which dry so very fast that the only option is often painting over.

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Anyway I love painting animals and birds so I have been working on a pink footed goose. Recently I was at Holkham in Norfolk and was fascinated by the arrival en masse of these migrant rare birds. That coupled with the orange / pink setting sun skies was a huge inspiration.

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Joining in @taraleaver #21daysinmyartworld. Today’s post #day6 is about ‘current challenge’. So there you have it – but mine is done. Off to yoga now!

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Hopefully you might enjoy reading about my challenge to myself to rise to the challenge of a post a day this month on these topics – there may be plenty of process and background posts – would that interest you?

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#clarewassermann #intuitivepainting #goose #britishartist #seabird #britishseabirds #norfolk #holkham #norfolk #pinkfootedgoose #artforsale #wallart #interiordecor #colourpop #colourist #oipainting #illustrator #bookillustration #magazineillustrator #soulfueledart #abundantcreative #creativity #meditativeart #natureart #sketchbook @newhamptonartscentre #detachment #powerofnow #sketchbookwork #lettinggo #wildlifeart #britishwildlife #birdsofinstagram

[clare-wassermann-art]

Work in progress.

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Over the Christmas holidays I have happily allowed myself a break from painting big physical paintings and have just been working small in sketchbook and exploring thoughts and ideas – this I will continue throughout January.
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I like exploring florals too from time to time. This piece is a work in progress at the moment – about 2/3 there.

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I have enjoyed working with inks, watercolours and pencil and also investigating the colour grey. Looking at my usual work you wouldn’t associate me with such a dull colour but #grey is fascinating. It is the colour with the most ranges in my opinion. Warm, cool, dark, light, glazing, opaque – each one a rabbit warren.

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Other neutrals are being explored too – it could be a reflection of our UK weather, but I don’t think so – it is something to be understood and that is the function of making art in many respects – trying to understand the world and express it somehow.

Joining in @taraleaver #21daysinmyartworld. Today’s post, day 3 is about ‘work in progress’ #wip. So, my work in progress is to explore grey or #gray for those of U.S. persuasion!

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Hopefully you might enjoy reading about my challenge to myself to rise to the challenge of a post a day this month on these topics – there may be plenty of process and background posts – would that interest you?
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#clarewassermann #intuitivepainting #intuitiveart #britishartist #flowerpainting #flowersofinstagram #spiritualpainting #spiritualart #artforsale #wallart #interiordecor #colourpop #forestart #colourist #acrylicpainting #illustrator #bookillustration #magazineillustrator #sketchbook @newhamptonartscentre #detachment #powerofnow #sketchbookwork #day3 #motivationmonday #abundantcreative

[clare-wassermann-art]

Approaching things a little differently here. A series of abstract paintings highlighting transparency and opaqueness.

The world is full of occlusion.

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Clare Wassermann Art

work in paint and stitch

[clare-wassermann-art]

Three spiritual abstracts remembering Japan.

Documenting favourite places.

A small series.

6 inch prints available.

[clare-wassermann-art]

New #unisonpastels for Christmas. Loved trying them out at #sketchbookclub today. Next session February 4th. A few spaces left. Lovely company and inspiring to see what everyone was working on. #cannockchase #landscape #sketchbookukproject (at Newhampton Arts Centre)

[clare-wassermann-art]

Here are my three paintings for Christmas cards this year. They are A6 size and come in a pack of six, two of each design, with envelopes. £4 per pack plus postage. Proceeds to our local hospice. Click link in Bio to find the link to my Etsy shop. #christmas #xmas #card #hospice #charity #supportanartist #buylocal #smallbusiness #anticapatalista

[blogjinder]

A retrospect and new resolution.

My resolution for 2017 was to ‘do more’, in the context of getting better, alot better. Most of my focus remained on drawing more, keeping sketchbooks closer, and focusing on details. I’m grateful to look back and know that, that is exactly what happen. Although this ‘do more’ is an ongoing resolution, it’s satisfying to see development after a set period and witnessing efforts bear fruit.

My resolution for 2018, is to connect with myself deeper so that I can hone in on a visual language that is consistent and completely organic to me. The battles I foresee, is that I’m rarely content with my work and find it extremely difficult to commit and settle as I know that i can do better if I keep practising (and I love exploring other mediums!) 

Now I know this is something I can’t force, but I’m hoping to set the parameters necessary that allows this process to push through more intrinsically. I need to develop a certain level of contentment, so that I can produce more complete outcomes, rather than labelling most of my work as ‘processes/development’.

Take a deep breath, and keep walking forwards my Soul. If you’ve come this far, with His hand, you can definitely go further.

Some snapshots of drawings throughout the year:

[clare-wassermann-art]

I love this young lady’s work and her outlook inspires me

[clare-wassermann-art]

Preferring to celebrate Yule and the December Solstice with it's lean towards nature, I have been painting small pieces with a message of peace. They look contemporary in these deep white, specially made box frames and are available as seasonal gifts. Please message me if you are interested - they are £90. Support artists and keep the economy local! 

Another local artist over in Shropshire, Anne Marie Lagram has produced an Advent Calendar for counting down to the Solstice. In the doors are seasonal pictures and some information about traditions around Yule time. She also has a beautiful Country Wisdom and Folklore Diary available for 2018, full of traditional tales and lore. I am lucky enough to be featured on the April page by way of a painting - "Song Bird". Here is the link to the website: https://www.talkingtreesbooks.co.uk/product-page/country-wisdom-folklore


I am thoroughly into the British wildlife genre at the moment - such a rich array to work with and all leading up to a solo exhibition I have next Spring at the Museum of Cannock Chase Gallery


At the moment I am enjoying working on some oil paintings which I find very absorbing. Hopefully the movement and energy of the hare shines through. 
So whatever you are doing and celebrating this coming month, keep warm and make the most of spending some quality time with friends and family to restore you in preparation for the oncoming New Year.


Don't forget that workshops in my studio in Central Wolverhampton can be found at www.clarewassermannart.com - book some in advance and treat yourself to a creative break!



[clare-wassermann-art]

This little hare painting has kept and bounded its way to a new home in Staffordshire today. He was one of my favourites of recent months. Hey ho paint on McDuff! #hare #art #painting #affordableart

[clare-wassermann-art]

"Now In This Moment" 11"x15" acrylic on watercolour paper. Stopping in this busy world to paint can be a challenge sometimes even though it's what I live and breathe. Still point amongst the distractions. #thepowerofnow #now #mindfulness #meditate #artist #expressiveart #buddha #forest #tropical #jungle #thailand #gautama #joy

[clare-wassermann-art]

'Peace To All Beings'. 12x12" on deep canvas #peace #love #compassion #hope (at Newhampton Arts Centre)

[clare-wassermann-art]

Probably need to express this in art because of its beauty but on the other hand this fox glove from yesterday probably says enough. Not sure my depiction could be enough #BoundaryWay #powerofnow #foxglove #igersofwolverhampton #nature #plantsofinstagram

[clare-wassermann-art]

Out in the field. Today was inspiration harvesting for a new nature and allotments arts project. Enough ideas for a good while. Meanwhile recording in colour is the best aide de memoire for me #honesty #seedheads #nature #createinthewild2017 #wildcreativelife #allotments #communitygarden #artproject #BoundaryWay

[clare-wassermann-art]

Smart hare

[clare-wassermann-art]

"Now In This Moment" 11"x15" acrylic on watercolour paper. Stopping in this busy world to paint can be a challenge sometimes even though it's what I live and breathe. Still point amongst the distractions. #thepowerofnow #now #mindfulness #meditate #artist #expressiveart #buddha #forest #tropical #jungle #thailand #gautama #joy

[clare-wassermann-art]

So loved collaborating with Hannah Boyd today running a workshop looking at the work of Carl Jung, symbolism, archetypes and art as therapy. Wonderful input in the group discussion and then the opportunity to paint big, expressive, symbolic and loose afterwards. Wanted to paint a Goddess for some time now and she came forth today at last. Would like to pursue her more. We will definitely run this day again ! #goddess #symbolism #carljung #archetypes #painting #abstractart #expressionism #philosophy #theory #wisdom #workshop #freud #psychotherapy @newhamptonarts #wolverhampton (at Newhampton Arts Centre)