A Refreshing Vision

In the hustle of everyday life, it is easy for native Floridians to take for granted the local landscape, or at least not to give it a second thought.  It is not that we don't appreciate our surroundings, we do.  Every now and again we need to be reminded and reawakened to the beauty of northeast Florida.  Claire Jane Kendrick is an artist whose paintings accomplish this.  Originally from Ireland, she moved to Florida in 2006 after stints in France, Belgium, Sweden, and England.

Her paintings reflect Florida with bold, rich, beautiful colors, and subtle textures with an impressionist technique.  "This is a hot climate and colorful coast.  I love the expanse of the marshlands, the big cloudscapes," she says.  "The scenery is dramatic and I try express that in my paintings.  It's a joy to live here."

Collectors respond to the contemporary style and the expressive way in which she paints.  The big open vistas and the marsh views that stretch for miles are among her favorite places to be.  "When you are painting in these isolated places it feels like you have the world to yourself.  The subtle shifts of light can in a moment calm or energize the environment."

Claire is from a family of architects and designers and it seems that artistic impression, a love of design and an eye for detail, were an important part of her upbringing.  She grew up in the Irish countryside and as a child explored painting "en plein air" with local artists.

Her paintings display confidence and purpose.  She reflected upon this recently when she said, "Artists need to have a vision, they have to be fearless and sometimes challenge uncharted territory.  It's having the strength of character to forge ahead with an idea or concept way before the consensus of approval.  It is about taking the time to see the beauty and potential in a fast paced life."  Amen to that.

Claire Jane Kendrick's work is represented by the Worley Faver Studio & Gallery.  It is located at 11A Aviles Street in downtown St. Augustine.