This month dot-art speaks to artist Clare Wrench.
Based in Cheshire, artist Clare Wrench creates abstract and experimental landscapes, cityscapes and wildlife paintings.
Inspired by the natural world and its endless variety of colours, shapes and patterns she is influenced by the visuals around her to inspire tone, composition and atmosphere in her work.
Can you describe your style of art?
I paint impressionistic landscapes and urban environments; This often includes detailed cityscapes of Liverpool. I also paint nature inspired floral and wildlife paintings, using vibrant colours and unusual compositions.
Can you talk us through your process? Do you begin with a sketch, or do you just go straight in? How long do you spend on one piece? How do you know when it is finished?
Before I begin a painting, I sketch my subject in pencil, take photographs and explore which medium I am going to use. I will then draw my composition, measuring to scale if it is a more detailed artwork.
It can take me several weeks to complete a panting if this is a large artwork. Sometimes I feel I am taking too long to finish I painting and I become inpatient so I may take a break and start another painting.
When did you begin your career in art?
I have always liked to draw and paint from a very young age and I would often draw cartoons of characters for friends in school. I vividly remember my first commission whilst in school of a scenic watercolour landscape of windmills in the Netherlands for a friend’s grandmother. I studied illustration and HND surface pattern design when I finished school with the purpose of being a designer. Unfortunately I did not enjoy being a freelance designer and I followed another career path and I did not draw or paint for several years.
After missing being creative for a long period I am now making up for lost time, I have been painting prolifically for several years and have exhibited my paintings for the first time a few years ago. I now undertake commissions and I still find it amazing when someone likes my paintings enough to purchase them.
Who or what inspires your art?
My favourite artist is Claude Monet and many of my paintings are influenced by Monet’s landscapes, particularly his waterlilies series of paintings. I also admire Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt and female artists such as Georgia o ‘Keeffe with her floral and landscape paintings One of my favourites quotes of hers is “To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage” Frida Kahlo is another favourite artist of mine because of her self portraits and life story.
Why is art and creativity important to you?
I am quite a shy and quiet person and being creative allows mere to express myself creatively and painting brings me fulfilment and happiness.
What do you gain from being a member with dot-art?
Since becoming a member of dot-art, I have found the opportunity to become part of an artist community. I enjoy the networking events and also the advice and other opportunities offered , which includes being able to participate in the exhibitions inside dot-art gallery.
What does it mean to be an artist in the Liverpool City Region?
I feel inspired by the city of Liverpool, it is such a vibrant and dynamic city with a rich culture. I like to paint the unique architecture around the city and also in the Liverpool regions. I was delighted to be part of the Liverpool Architectural Festival in 2024 and to be a finalist the open exhibition ‘A Window to Your Neighbourhood’ inside dot-art gallery.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am trying to be more experimental with my art process by exploring different techniques. I am doing linocut printing, which is something I have not done since I was a student and I am also practicing portraits and attending life drawing classes. I currently have a commission to complete before Christmas and the Liverpool group exhibitions this month inside dot-art.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
I would say to learn to take criticism and to not take it personally as it can help you develop as an artist if it is given in a constructive manner. When I was studying surface pattern design, each week our designs were critiqued and this did affect my confidence during this time. Now I understand it was part of the process of being an artist. Also if you have a creative block in your art practice , you have to continue to be creative in other ways as perseverance is the key and to not give up.
Discover more of Clare Wrench work on our online shop!