Featured Artist Claire Vines

Oil painter Claire Vines presents a selection of artwork that reflects life experience and culture. Find more of her portfolio on her website.

 

 

I was born in Nice, France. As a child when immigrating to the U.S. I could not speak the English language, only French. It was then that I discovered my passion for expression of my internal emotional world through artistic creativity, a way of compensating for the language barrier that prevented me from expressing my emotions with words. 

 

 

Although I was discouraged from pursuing my passion and artistic insights, I nevertheless continued to draw and paint in private. 

 

 

At age 16, the same day I completed my first oil painting on canvas, I delivered my son. I raised him, I worked, and I studied. I earned a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and developed an independent practice specializing in trauma and emotional healing. Most importantly, I never stopped painting. 

 

 

Connecting my artistic passion with my profession, I continue to develop my interest in the Art of Psychology and the Psychology of Art, where I explore my passion for human emotion through the externalization of creative expression in a deeper and more profound way. 

 

 

I believe that artistic expression is a form of visual conversation between one and oneself, revealing one’s inner emotion in the process. Being aware of this can improve the well-being of an individual at any age. 

 

 

During my life travels I have learned that art expression is both person-centered and multicultural. This awareness leads to artistic cultural diversity, a universal gift for all people to embrace and celebrate. 

 

 

Much of my artwork represents my life journey. As an example, my painting “Marseille” depicts the place where I spent much of my childhood years. Likewise, the paintings which present religious imagery are reflections of the cultural and religious backgrounds that have meaningfully shaped who I am. 

 

 

My goal is to paint a facet of who I am within every work I create, serving as a living manifestation of Picasso’s iconic quote, “All art is a self portrait.” They are words that inspire and guide my artistic expressions to this day.

 

Claire Vines invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

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