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Background & Education
Born in London, Claire Frances-Smith undertook formal training as a children's illustrator, working freelance for many years whilst bringing up her two children. On moving to East Anglia with her family in 2002 she 'took the plunge' and returned to her first love of fine art painting. Her first solo show soon followed, and with it, a growing collection of admirers both in the UK and abroad.
Inspiration & Motivation
Working from a studio in the garden of her house in Norfolk, Claire translates her respect and admiration for her beautiful coastal surroundings on to her canvasses.
"When I moved to East Anglia I was so encouraged by my new surroundings I decided to pursue painting from my heart. I am inspired by colour and light in the sky, and the ever changing weather we have never fails to have an effect on my mood."
Claire's illustration background has given her the key technical skills that set her apart from other artists. A fascination with how people appear in different lights whether they are ghostly shadows or shimmering shapes on the horizon, has been the drive she needs to continue to paint. Close up small groups of people can be seen absorbed in leisurely activities on the beach or they can simply be insignificant blurs punctuated by flashes of bright colour from windbreakers or umbrellas.
A Typical Day...
Claire's studio enables her to stand well back from her large canvasses and be as messy as she needs to be. She values the solace that her studio provides and realises the need to be away from any interruptions.
"I have to be alone whilst I am working, my family have long since learnt not to comment on my work whilst in progress for fear of putting me off. Its surprising how a raised eyebrow or sigh from an onlooker can completely destroy your confidence in what you are doing so they leave me to it and then give honest feedback when I've finished."
Using the brushes that she has kept with her and looked after for many years, Claire works instinctively on more than one canvas at once. Armed with a coffee and some mood inspired music she spends a considerable amount of time looking at her work and formulating her next steps.
"So much of painting is about thinking and once I feel its time for action I normally throw myself into the process and then furiously paint for about 45 minutes. I generally work on canvas and my brushes are absolutely ancient as I look after them well. Sometimes I use rag or fingertips to blend the oil paint."
Over the years Claire has grown from hiring her own gallery space and showing in local galleries to producing limited editions of her work that sell across the country.
"My best work has come about on days when my mind is on other things and I let my instincts take over."
