Introducing Claire Dawkins

Claire Dawkins is a visual artist born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. From a young age, she was exposed to the fine arts through her mother, who is also a painter. Claire regularly hikes in Louisiana taking photographs of the state’s natural beauty. As a painter, she works in oils, referencing her photographs from these hikes. She is particularly drawn to wildflowers and takes inspiration from the vast abundance of their colors and forms. Her work has been displayed in businesses throughout Acadiana through the BARE Walls program at Basin Arts, and she has had paintings accepted to national competitions. Most recently, she was accepted to the upcoming juried art show for the New Orleans Art Association.

You can view TWO of Claire's paintings at our Airport Art Soirée this month, August 21st 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Lafayette Regional Airport! RSVP here: https://forms.gle/FcX68zRBM4d6Ukxh7

Who makes up your art circle?

The primary person in my art circle is my mother, who has had the largest influence on me in my development as an artist. She and I talk about our paintings all the time, and I always feel like I can go to her for critique. I have also greatly benefited from the artistic community at BARE Walls, especially through conversations where Dirk Guidry has generously mentored me as I was preparing to submit for my first festival booth. I do wish that I had an even wider circle though!

How do you expand your art circle?

I've learned this past year that the more I get out there, the more I connect with other artists. Showing my work at Big Easel let me make friends with other artists as well as connecting to clients or potential sales. For example, my booth was next to Kali Picard's at the most recent Big Easel, and I loved talking with her over the course of the day.

What value do you see in having a creative community?

To me, the primary value is that it makes it easier to share your work. When you see others who are bravely putting their work out there then it's easier to put one's own insecurities aside and do the same. There is also a secondary and very practical angle. It's a good resource to ask someone such questions as "What materials do I need to get started showing my work?" or "How do you handle payment transactions or even determine a fair price for your work when you are just getting started?" I tend to focus more on the creative side, so it's good to have a trusted mentor who can give you real advice if that's not a muscle that you've developed yet.

How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?

Because I love wildflowers so much, my paintings have put me in touch with people who are similarly drawn to native Louisiana flowers. In particular, I've loved sharing my work with the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative. This past spring, they were working along with several other groups to host an annual "Bloom Event" at Palmetto Island State Park in honor of the incredibly rare Abbeville Red Iris (Iris Nelsonii). I donated several art-quality print reproductions of my native iris paintings and then loaned them one of my original oils of the Abbeville Red for the event. It was so wonderful that my art was able to contribute to the celebration of this wonderful and incredibly rare species, and I was delighted to support a state park that I visit frequently with my family.