C. J. CLARE ARTWORKS
About Me
I am a visual artist currently living in Dufferin County, Ontario. I was born in Britain and came to Toronto while still an infant. As a teenager in Toronto I began work as a graphic designer in the print industry. I then spent three years in Buffalo, NY where I created backdrops for local theatre productions; I was also hired to create a huge mural for an indoor swimming pool in the home of the late singer, Rick James. It wasn't until after my first child was born, 22 years ago, that I started taking painting courses at the AGO, and discovered my true passion in painting on canvas, wood panel or paper, in oil, acrylic or pastel.
I enjoy painting the human figure and the emotion in a face. Many modern-day, contemporary, renaissance and impressionist artists intrigue me. I have studied at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Toronto School of Art, ArteMbassy, and Avenue Road Art School, taking a variety of classes and workshops in Egg Tempera, Encaustic, Acrylic and Oil Painting, as well as courses in Mixed Media, Sculpture, Life Drawing and Portraiture.
I was the artistic director on the AIDSbeat committee benefiting CANFAR for five years where I created themes for this extraordinary 'Battle of the Bands' concert event, including print and web design, vignette installations for photo booths for the Summer of Love, Las Vegas and MOD eras including wall and floor graphics, and interactive circus portraits for our Circus theme.
In 2015 with my husband and children we relocated from Toronto to Orangeville where I am fortunate to have a small studio in an old Victorian house. My gallery walls currently display work focusing on the “face” in a series of Icons from Silent Film, Jazz and Rock Stars, past and present. I have done commission work including Einstein, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Gord Downie, The Traveling Wilburys and many others including local people and pets. I have the honour of being selected as one of the artists whose work is permanently installed on Utility Boxes in Orangeville. There are two in Kay Cee Gardens, a local children's park and others added around town. I created a village of Trolls and Bergens for the 2021 Optimist Club Christmas in The Park.
In March 2021 I set up shop in the Rare Threads Artisan Fashions & Decor Boutique at the Alton Mill in Caledon, Ontario. Here you will find a collection of my Wearable Art and accessories a mini art plaks.
I am available for commissions. For more information please free to contact me at 416-804-6831 or through the email address and the social media icons below.