Art Fri Aug 14 2009

Chicago Week Artist Clare Rosean

By David Schalliol

"Blue Mountain," by Clare Rosean, is the fifth in a series of five works to be featured during Chicago Week, a collaboration between Gapers Block and the Rockford-based arts purveyor Wall Blank. Each image will be available for one week as a limited edition print through Wall Blank. 10% of the proceeds of all sales will benefit the Chicago Artists' Coalition. Check back every day this week for a new piece by and interview with a Chicago artist.

"Blue Mountain," oil paint on canvas, 2009

"Blue Mountain" is an illustration from a series of drawings Clare Rosean did for her picture book, "The Poet." It is about a woman who is afraid to leave her house. "Blue Mountain" illustrates her love for solitude.

Click here to order a print from Wall Blank. »

Interview with the Artist

Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your artistic background?

Currently, I am a full time student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Prior to that, I received some academic training for drawing and painting in high school, though I feel that art is mostly self taught.

How did you start drawing, and how has your relationship with it evolved over time?

I have been drawing since childhood; drawing was always just another way of playing for me. If I wanted something or I wanted to be somewhere, I would draw it. It's very much the same now, only I am much more careful about composition, color choice, etc. I have a tighter idea for the purpose of my drawings: they can be fun to look at, but they must also -- together, as a series or book -- convey a point.

How does being in Chicago influence your artistic practice?

My surrounding landscape always affects my drawings. I like to mimic the Chicago landscape in my art, and also any silly events, people or advertisements I see in the city.

Given you regularly work in paint, colored pencil and pen, what influences the medium you use for a given subject?

The medium I work in depends what I'm in the mood for and which series I am working on. Every series is usually done in one particular medium, with the exception of "The Poet" -- the series (that features "Blue Mountain") which includes both drawings and paintings I plan on making into a picture book. I am working on another series of drawings, "Lost and Danger is Lurking," done exclusively in black ballpoint pen with some colored pencil.

What can we expect to see in the coming months?

More paintings! I hope -- it usually takes me about 3-4 months to finish one and almost the same time to complete a drawing. I also hope to get my book "The Poet" completely bound and ready for purchase, which I might sell through my etsy site, or perhaps independent book stores.

About the Artist

Clare Rosean was born 1988 and is a native of the Chicago area. She has been drawing and painting since childhood and is currently enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Catch her at the SAIC "New Works" group show which will run from August 22 - September 25 at the seventh floor gallery space at 33 S. State Street and in October in "Good Clean Fun," a solo show in SAIC's second floor gallery space at 37 S. Wabash. Visit her online at her website or her etsy shop, where you can buy selected stationery and prints.