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Today’s Artist Interview Is With Clair Hartmann From Wilmington, North Carolina

Whopple: How long have you been an artist?
Clair: For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved drawing and have worked towards becoming an artist; my “real job” of graphic designer afforded me a creative outlet which has slowly transformed into that of a full time artist.

Whopple: Tell us about your first attempts to be creative.
Clair: I had a Dalmation when I was young and would draw her when she was sleeping. I also drew a lot in church, my bible was full of drawings.

Whopple: Do you make a living with your art?
Clair: Yes, and while my art used to be a supplement to my job of graphic design, now the opposite is true. When I began doing a “Painting-a-day” my income from painting grew in proportion to my gradually increasing body of work. I took on a project I termed “The Downtown Dogs Project” wherein I painted one hundred dogs from the Wilmington Farmer’s Market in one hundred days. This led to a steadily growing number of commissions in pet portraiture.

Whopple: How many hours a day do you create?
Clair: I spend between 8-10 hours a day in the studio.

Whopple: How did you pick your creative medium?
Clair: I began to paint with oils during my years at the Ft. Lauderdale Art Institute and have loved the feel, the smell and the experience of oil painting ever since.

Whopple: What are your inspirations?
Clair: My uncle, Jimmy Lueders, who taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of Art was my first inspiration.

A variety of artists including Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kalo, Modern artists Jonathan Green, Jeremy Lipking, Aaron Westerberg, Daniel Adel, Brad Kunkle, Michael Klein & Alyssa Monks.

I am also inspired by the dedication creativity and talents of many artists from the Daily Painters movement such as Duane Keiser, Abbey Ryan, Barbara Kacicek, Ali Cavenaugh, Michael Naples… oh… and my studio companion, a Jack Russell Terrier named Chumley.

Whopple: How do you recharge when your creativity hits the wall?
Clair: I paint something I know, my dog or plums. When I hit a low or moment of doubt I revert back to something familiar and find it allows me to “reset” my confidence and perspective.

Whopple: What was your first job?
Clair: First regular job was temping at JC Penny’s doing inventory when I was 19. My first real painting job was a dog portrait, Zephie.

Whopple: What are your favorite snacks when you are creating?
Clair: I think it’s a great question – I’m a big dime store candy junkie. Right now I’m really loving purple Jawbreakers when I’m painting.

Whopple: What gives you hope in the world?
Clair: Creativity.

Whopple: What do you wish you could do?
Clair: Play guitar, speak Spanish, travel along the coast of Italy, France and Spain, then go to Menorca where my family originated from.

Whopple: What are your artistic goals?
Clair: To paint without fear and have a painting included in an important museum collection.

Whopple: What has been your most exciting moment as an artist?
Clair: When I finished my 100th dog portrait for my summer project “The Downtown Dog Project… 100 Dogs in 100 Days”

To See More Of Clair Hartmann’s Artwork Please visit:
Website: http://clairhartmann.com
Daily Blog: http://clairhartmann.blogspot.com

Red Bubble: Shop:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/clairhartmann/calendars/3816022-30-clair-ha
rtmann-calendar

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6839201
Daily Painters International: http://dailypaintersinternationalartgallery.blogspot.com/
Ebay Shop: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/inde__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Perez Gallery: http://www.aperezemergingartists.com/clair_hartmann.html

Also at these locations:

Tavernays Jewelers, Wilmington, NC
Great Harvest Bread Co., Wilmington, NC
Smudge Pot, Wilmington, NC
The Woods Gallery, Bald Head Island
Fogel Fine Art, Jacksonville, FL

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