Clara Dominique
Q4 featured artist
Clara Dominique is a French artist born in Normandy. She pursued her artistic education at the School of Fine Arts in Nantes and the School of Fine Arts in Paris. She obtained a Certificate of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art. Influenced by her grandfather, a blind poet, Clara has understood from a young age the privilege of expressing herself through visual arts. Her artistic project invites viewers on a journey toward peace and a space of contemplation and reflection, while celebrating women’s strength.
In a world where everything moves too quickly and messages must be conveyed in under a minute, Clara cherishes the concept of taking time. Through oil painting, Clara portrays women seeking balance, immersed in fantastical landscapes, to raise awareness about the beauty and fragility of the world. Her work explores themes of nature, meditation and sisterhood.
Studio Practice
Connecting with people is at the heart of my creative process—it starts from a personal feeling but, I hope, transforms into something more universal. Ultimately, I want people to feel something when they look at my work—whether it’s entering a meditative state, experiencing sisterhood or acceptance. A rigorous routine helps me enter my studio practice: drinking a coffee in front of the painting I plan to work on during the day, analyzing what is missing, putting my apron on, preparing my paints and brushes, and then starting with the most difficult part. What I listen to while creating really depends on the time of day. In the morning, I’m deeply focused, so I only listen to the sound of my brushes. After lunch, when I’m digesting and need to stay awake, I listen to podcasts. I love hearing people’s stories and finding connections. At night, I enter full flow mode and listen to a wide range of music. All these sounds find their way into my paintings. I could not explain how I know that a piece is finished—it just finally makes sense.
Inspiration
Each time I create, my art history references come flooding in. I draw inspiration from Frederic Leighton, Odilon Redon, Henri Matisse and, of course, from all the female artists who were overlooked for too long—Artemisia Gentileschi, Suzanne Valadon, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Georgia O'Keeffe, and many others. I also keep a close eye on the contemporary art scene and love visiting galleries. Music, literature, and artist conversations also influence my work. I have realized that books have a particularly strong impact on my creativity: without supporting images, my imagination is freer to invent its own.
Challenges
I realized that, even if it’s difficult, setting boundaries to my practice ultimately makes it stronger. So I force myself to stop before ruining everything I did during the day. What also helps me is going for a walk right after lunch to breathe and see something else than my painting. Doing yoga, eating well, and sleeping properly also make a big difference. Still, even when I do these things, I can’t help but think about painting. And if I feel overwhelmed or discouraged, going to a museum or a gallery is always a good idea to recharge.
The advice I would give to other artists is to trust yourself and stay focused on what truly matters to you. You are unique, and if you’re honest in your work, you’ll create something singular—something that at least one person will connect with. Keep creating without expecting a masterpiece, because each work leads to the next and makes you stronger. And if you must compare, compare yourself only to your past self. What also helped me was defining my own version of success—whether it’s selling art, completing a series, or having a solo show. Break it down into small, achievable steps. Stay open to opportunities, but always respect yourself.
Reflection
