Clare Maria Wood United Kingdom

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I live in Knaresborough where I have a home studio. I graduated in Fine Art Painting at Wimbledon School of Art with a postgraduate at Goldsmiths University, London. I also studied printmaking at the Curwen Print Study Centre receiving my diploma from Sir Stanley Jones. I have exhibited at The Royal Academy of Art, The Society of Women Artists, and The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour.

Spending my childhood by the Northeast coast and more recently living by the sea in Hove, I have a strong affinity with the ocean. I have spent much of my time walking along these coastlines drawing their wide bays and uninterrupted sunsets. There is a moment, when the sun falls below the horizon and the ocean light up and glows. My recent paintings explore this moment and the emotional reaction we, as humans, feel. Back in the studio, I work intuitively to begin with, usually on several pieces at the same time, which allows me to see what is working and expand on ideas. I build many layers of paint, drawn marks and hand painted collage and sand back into the surface to reveal flashes of previous marks and colours, allowing the history of each piece to emerge. As the paintings develop, I then take a more critical approach, refining and resolving areas while striving to keep the energy of the initial marks. My day usually ends with another walk at sunset which gives me food for thought for the next day’s developments.