“Clare gives safe passage on life journey …that can be exciting, scary, full of joy, tears and raucous humour. Her belly laughter carries the lost dreams of all us women within it. Magic”
Janet Wilkinson Artist
massive hearted human * poet * artist * sassy storyteller * founder of the bad lesbian widows club* radical, irreverent scouser * arts in health consultant * lesbian * Sista * on the wild edge of menopause and not afraid to say it as it is! * creator of community * sea lover * colour worshipper * strong playful inner child * wise sage freedom seeker * magical muse * deep dreamer * soulful friend
I am an artist. Creating is in my blood and has saved my life over and over – transforming feelings, emotions, life stories, wounds and blocks, dreams and ideas into beauty. I believe wholly in the healing power of creativity.
My art is full of large scale lush goddesses, magic mermaids, sensual sistas, and sacred imagery, symbolism and feelings. The process and the way that I paint and create is very intuitive. I work with many layers to explore my own mythology, using acrylics and mixed media. My work is also translated into limited edition textile ranges in silks and velvet as well as a beautiful jewellery range.
I am passionate about words – my bed is always laden with books! My first poetry collection Love Hope and High Heels was published in 2010. It was shortlisted for The Polari Book Prize for new gay and lesbian writing. I have since published many other poetry and art books and journals, some of which are available from my shop .
People often choose to work with me because of my 30 years of vast experience, and my grounded, irreverent and juicy approach to art.
My ground-breaking creative work has been funded by Arts Council England, and our large-scale creative projects have been rolled out through Public Health, NHS and Primary Care Teams, as well as schools, prisons and probation services. They have been highlighted as innovative and highly effective programmes for working with depression, anxiety, dementia, cancer support, LGBTQI and the trans community.
I developed and curated a large-scale project based on my own way of creating with over 1000 women and girls, which was exhibited at The Tate in a ground-breaking exhibition. This was then taken into many settings and also developed into Big Love Sista, Big Love My Brother, Big Love Little Sista. I am currently working on a project called The Bad Lesbian Widows Club.
I sell my work internationally, and I’m dedicated to creating a body of work in the world and programmes that are diverse, real and down to earth but magical and deeply rooted in community.
I have lived through my own painful depressions, broken hearts and dreams, and difficult experiences. In 2021 my beloved wife Sandra died after a two-year intense battle with stage 4 breast cancer. I’ve found that grief is an intense magical teacher. I believe all our experiences and vulnerabilities can shape us into more compassionate human beings, willing to open our hearts more deeply and risk a wildly beautiful creative life.
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Extracts from Clares book in progress…