Clair connects people with Nature and one another through botanical illustrations, oil paintings, custom commissions, and online instruction. She is deeply moved by intricate botanical forms and rich saturated colors, pulling inspiration from her own garden, and her travels, as well as historical botanical artists like Maria Sibylla Merian and Joris Hoefnagel.
"I am endlessly fascinated by botanical subjects and still life. My paintings and drawings are about observation, relationships, loss, and growth. Plants are natural metaphors for these ideas, as they consistently change and repeat growth cycles. In my garden I connect with Nature, watching these cycles year after year, and finding rich inspiration. Botanical Illustration requires intense observation and attention to detail; I often feel a close relationship to my subjects. In my paintings, meaningful or symbolic items are often the main focus, with light, shadow and color contributing to atmospheric, sentimental feelings. I am interested in how we connect and disconnect with ourselves, each other, and the world around us."