Clare Maria Wood in her studio
What’s your background?
I studied painting at Harrogate and then Wimbledon School of Art and have been passionate about printmaking for 15 years. This year, I completed the Curwen Printmaking Diploma where I focused on creating a series of screenprinted and collagraph monoprints and was assessed by Stanley Jones MBE and Chloe Cheese – which was a bit daunting but, actually, they were utterly charming.
Cornish Rockface XI
Explain what you do?
I take my inspiration from landscapes that are special to me; places I love and revisit. Incised rocks, rusty farm machinery, sun-blistered paint on old boats; these are the small treasures that capture my attention. I work intuitively on several canvases at once. I don’t over plan, preferring to respond to the marks I make, allowing each piece to evolve. I like to blur the lines between painting and printmaking and often create intaglio prints onto tissue paper to use as collage paintings. I love intaglio processes and using etching and collagraph techniques allows me to contrast subtle changes of colour and pronounced texture.
What five words best describe your work?
Evocative, textural, abstract, innovative and hybrid.
Arc VII
What are you working on at the moment?
Currently, I am developing my ‘Megalithic’, ‘Arc’ and ‘Emerging’ collagraph series, which are inspired by rock formations, such as Brimham Rocks and The Cheesewring. The hand-cut and shaped plates are made from materials such as plant matter, glues and carborundum grit. I then arrange three or four plates to create an assemblage and ink them with layers of colour. I add in chine colle and rust transfers to create contrast, light and fluidity.
Which three artists inspire you?
There are so many inspiring artists out there, but I love Jeremy Gardiner‘s geological paintings and prints. I have always been a huge fan of Barbara Hepworth, especially the textures on her later bronzes. More recently, I have been introduced to Brenda Hartill‘s collagraphs. Her fiery colours and beautiful embossed surfaces are stunning.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“If in doubt, paint it out.” One of my foundation tutors taught me to be ruthless with paintings that you were ‘stuck’ on. He was really positive and I have lived by this mantra ever since.
Favourite or most inspirational place in Yorkshire?
Cornish Rockface II
The Hole of Horecum never ceases to take my breath away. You feel like you are on top of the world up there.
Tell us something we don’t know.
I am planning on doing a joint residency at Brisons Veor in Cornwall next year. It’s an amazing setting perched on the cliff edge at Cape Cornwall. Perfect inspiration!
