Clare Haxby’s talent in fine art, painting, and printmaking is undeniable. Years of finding inspiration in painting architectural landmarks on canvas have landed her the Liberty London Art Call award, a prestigious artist in residency grant, and work admired in all corners of the world. Photography by Tamra Cave at No Fuss Photography
“When I was a child, I was always drawing, painting, and sewing things at home. I have always been at my happiest when I am creating something and I find my inspiration through my environment, nature, and by travelling to new places,” Clare says. Now back from Singapore, where she enjoyed great success with her Singapore Landmark paintings series, the artist is working on a London Landmarks series from her Surrey Hills studio.
Clare’s signature style combines acrylic paint with mono printing, which she creates on fine Chinese paper for details and drawing figures. As well as mono printing, Clare uses linocuts, hand-cut stencils, gold or silver leaf, or found objects like vintage stamps.
Clare’s story
Born in Yorkshire, England, she completed her Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Chesterfield Art College in Derbyshire, then moved to London to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking at Kingston University. During her degree, she was awarded a Stanley Picker Travel Scholarship to Venezuela and Brazil. This eye-opening trip gave Clare an appetite for travelling and exploring other cultures, and this became a source of inspiration for her artwork.
Upon graduating, Clare sold a series of life drawings to The Victoria & Albert Museum and was represented by the Nigel Greenwood Gallery, London. Clare had a solo show in Brighton, based on her rainforest paintings, and later set up her first business, The Green Design Company, which was supported by The Prince’s Youth Business Trust. She produced colourful, ecologically-themed designs on giftware and t-shirts and sold them through Camden Market and then to retailers in the UK, Japan, and Singapore.
In 2015, Clare moved to Singapore with her family, where she stayed for eight years. She opened a studio there, hosting art events and open studio days. Now back in the UK, Clare is fully immersed in her studio practice, expanding her collection of London’s landmarks onto canvas and as fine art edition prints, which go to collectors over the world.
An impressive portfolio
When it comes to commercial art, over the years Clare has designed printed textiles for leading high street retailers including Liberty’s of London, Debenhams, and Whistles, as well as ranges of gift wrap, t-shirts and cards for Unicef, Oxfam, and Greenpeace. It was Clare’s submission of a 150 by 120cm mixed media painting on linen depicting Liberty’s entrance with the Wild at Heart flower shop outside that caught the eye of the Liberty’s team. It took months to complete, and will be printed in the Liberty’s of London Book in April 2020.
Clare was also selected for a two-week artist residency in Chateau Orquevaux, France, a placement that attracts internationally renowned artists from 32 countries. She was invited by Ziggy Attias, the owner of the Chateau, to create an artwork especially for the its permanent collection, too.
Clare’s work was featured in exhibitions like the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize Exhibition in 2019, Chelsea College of Art in 2017, the BAC Gallery, Bogota, in 2016, and the ION Orchard Exhibition Space, Singapore, in 2012. Find out more about her and get in touch about commissions at clarehaxby.com
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