Check Out Claire Stufflebeam’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Stufflebeam.

Hi Claire, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. I was lucky enough to have parents who supported and encouraged a variety of artistic pursuits; from sewing to jewelry making, to leatherworking, to sculpting with clay —the list goes on and on. As hobbies came and went, painting seemed to be the practice that held my interest most consistently. I got my first taste of entrepreneurship in art around middle school. My neighbor would commission me to paint portraits of her pets. It was the first inkling that art could be a possible career path for me.

Fast forward to my sophomore year of college. I was an Ecology major with a minor in art practices at the University of Colorado Boulder. The first day of my first official painting class was also my first time using oil paints (my mom never let me use them growing up because they were too “messy.”) It’s hard to explain and sounds really corny when I say it, but painting with oil paints for the first time was the closest thing to a spiritual revelation I’ve ever had. I was instantly obsessed with everything about them. I remember leaving class that day feeling like I’d found my purpose. I couldn’t stop smiling my entire walk home, and I changed my art minor to a major once I got there. The next year, I was accepted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at CU where I continued to develop my practice.

Since graduating, I’ve continued to pursue a career in painting. Last year, I started working with Core Art Space, a gallery in Lakewood. I’m currently their youngest member. I am looking forward to having my first solo show there in November.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges has been trying to carve a path in a field where the “right” path isn’t clearly defined. I feel like art school hyped me up in such a way that I wasn’t prepared for the real world. I’d have teachers pulling me out of class to tell me that my work was impressive and that I could make a career out of art if I wanted. But once I graduated, I was left with a real sense of “now what?” I had the technical skills to be an artist, but none of the practical knowledge of how to do it. I wasn’t sure where to look for opportunities or what my next steps should be. It left me with some impostor syndrome that I’ve had to work on to overcome.

Another challenge has been finding the time to create while working a full-time job. I’ve always been pulled in two directions between my love of art and science. At the moment, it’s my work in ecological restoration that helps me support myself. But I wonder where my art career would lead me if I could commit all of my energy towards it. I don’t think that time is now, but hopefully soon.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently finishing up a series of portraits, mostly oil paintings. My style is realistic, but I paint on a small scale (11×14 inches at their largest) to create a sense of intimacy between the work and the viewer. I’d say I’m known for the attention to detail and sense of humor in my pieces. There’s also a sense of nostalgia and mysterious storytelling in my work, as they feel like “snapshot” moments of life. The series started as an exploration of my relationship with alcohol through depictions of myself and my friends in moments of drunkenness. I think the series has expanded in its meaning. I’m more interested in this time of life I’m in, which I consider “the in-between”– a time where I’m no longer a kid, but I don’t quite feel like a real adult yet, either. I’d say the pieces serve as a memento of this era of my life and those who made it so much fun! I’d say the work is set apart by this youthful (and at times, rather trashy) perspective that finds its way onto gallery walls.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to take advantage of every opportunity. I found a lot of growth and success once I started saying yes to every chance to push my art career forward. I was encouraged to audition to be a member of Core Art Space after participating in one of their open-entry shows, and I’m really glad I did! The gallery has helped me create new connections and spread the word about my work. Saying yes to joining the gallery led to my participation in several exciting art shows and even this interview! So, having the courage to say yes to every opportunity has been a lesson I’m grateful to have learned.

Contact Info:

• Email: clairestufflebeamcreations@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuffle.art/