Claire Brewster in her studio

 

This week In The Studio, TAG Fine Arts speaks to Claire Brewster about her artistic practice and creative workspace. Claire’s work has been published in many magazines and books including The Audubon Society, Fresh Paint Magazine, Elle Decoration, Vogue, and many more. You can find more of Claire's delicate papercuts here.

 

How did your relationship with TAG Fine Arts develop?

I started working with TAG Fine Arts around about 2011. I had been cheekily emailing Hobby about my work and when they were planning the Art of Mapping exhibition they got in touch. We’ve been working together ever since!

 

What is your background?

I live and work in London, but started life in the semi-rural county of Lincolnshire. Using old maps and atlases, I create flowers, birds and insects. My inspiration comes from the meld of nature and the urban environment in which we live, and a desire to reuse the discarded. The unwanted and obsolete.

 

Did you ever decide to be an artist? 

I think artists are born not made, though it took me some time to understand how to be an artist or what sort of artist I wanted to be. I’m not sure what inspired me to create it was just something that I’ve always enjoyed doing, from an early age I felt the urge to paint and draw, the desire was within me.

 

Define what art means to you, in 150 characters or less.

Art means trying to make sense of the world.

 

Her papercut work involves painstaking patience and precision

 

Describe your workspace.

Messy would be the best description. I work best when my surroundings are a bit chaotic.

 

Do you have any routine you follow when you’re creating?

It always starts with looking for inspiration in something, so I look through books, go to museums and when the spark happens I start drawing and everything flows from there.

 

Claire at work in her studio

 

What is your favourite work of art? Why does it inspire you?

Gosh! There are so many and it changes by the day, even by the hour. An artist I’m always inspired by is Tracey Emin, her dedication to her work and uncompromising approach make me love her and her work, though I couldn’t pick one favourite piece.

 

How important are current affairs and sociohistorical events to your works?

It’s impossible to not be influenced by the current political climate, but I don’t make work about it, though I do think a lot about the environment and how it affects nature, and that does influence my work, but it’s not the overriding theme.

 

Do you think social media has impacted your career? How so?

It’s meant I have a much wider audience and can connect with people all over the world, which is great!

 

Claire Brewster - We Are Seeking The Source - courtesy of TAG Fine Arts

 

Do you create your best work independently or when within a community?

Always alone, I find it hard to create when there are other people around.

 

What advice would you give to upcoming artists?

Never give up.

 

Do you love what you do?

Of course, I have the best job in the world. I get to create art every day, there’s nothing better as far as I’m concerned.

 

 

How would you describe your style?

Capturing the Beauty and fragility of nature.

 

What inspires you to create?

Inspiration is a mythical beast that I’ve never figured out how to tame, so I start with the creating and usually, the inspiration comes along.

 

What is your quote to live by?

This too shall pass.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m making some new pieces for the London Art Fair in January which will be showing with TAG Fine Arts. I’m also finishing off a large (42 pieces to be exact) commission for Saga Cruises and a large piece for a Condo building in Denver, Colorado.

 

 

This article was written by Helena Cardow. If you enjoyed reading it, share with friends on Facebook and Twitter, and don't forget to follow TAG Fine Arts on Instagram!