• Artist's Statement
• Select Awards and Recognitions
• Claudia's Art Journey

Artist's Statement

Claudia True’s art is a visual feast of color and fun! Her paintings are about loving life and about finding joy in our short time here on earth. Painting has become Claudia’s passion. Her art tends to focus on simplified subjects that get a fun and sometimes whimsical or lyrical twist through color and line work. At this stage of her life, she appreciates the gift of a smile and she shares that through her art.

Claudia’s past career included extensive travel as a geologist and manager in the energy industry. Her work is influenced by time spent outdoors in the spectacular southwestern United States - learning from the earth and connecting with its unspoiled beauty. Travels in “primitive” areas of Mexico, Indonesia and Australia have given a deep appreciation for the diversity and the art of these “simple” cultures. This influence is strongly evident in her works. Paintings by Claudia are reminiscent of the Fauve’s strong use of color, the simple shapes and subject matter of Georgia O’Keeffe and the fun of Peter Max. Her colors have traditionally been influenced by the bold tropical and Latino cultures. Now Claudia is experimenting with an oriental twist to her subject matter – resulting in a sort of “fusion style” of wispy, spontaneous subjects and luscious colors.

People often describe Claudia’s works as “fun and happy.” Children (of all ages!) especially delight in the color and fun of her pieces. Enjoy!!! 

Select Awards and Recognitions

One Woman Museum Shows:
• Bakersfield Museum of Art 
• Red River Valley Museum - Vernon, Texas

Select One Woman & Group Exhibitions:

• Kansas City, Ks Library - Main Building
• Mr & Mrs F.L. Schlagle Library - Kansas City
• ARTichokes Gallery - Leawood, Ks
• Annual Art Auction - Kansas City Artists Coalition
• Durden Art Gallery - Memphis, Tenn
• Designer's Resource Studio - Fort Worth, Texas
• Numerous Bakersfield locations, including: Bakersfield Museum of Art, Arts Council of Kern, A Frame of Mine Gallery, Affordable Framing & Gallery, EHM Gallery

Select Juried Shows:
• Bakersfield Museum of Art –major awards 2 years
• Fine Art Santa Barbara, Ca
• Conejo Valley Museum “Art Walk” – Thousand Oaks, Ca
• Finalist (one of 3) in international poster competition for First Night posters

Corporate Collections - commissioned original art:
• Aera Energy
• Honda Corp
• Tejon Ranch

Galleries in Bakersfield, Ca
• True/Saint-John Gallery - Co-owner, 2003-2005
• 18th Street Gallery and Studios – Owner 2005-2007
    o Gallery owner/manager
    o Painting teacher and promoter for emerging artists

Special recognitions
    2006: “Claudia True Day in Bakersfield in recognition of her dedication, commitment and contributions     to the arts in our community.”

   Education:
  • B.A. – Trinity University, Tex: Geology
  • M.S. – Penn State University: Geology
  • Numerous art workshops and classes
  • Wonderful life experiences!!!  

Claudia's Art Journey

I wrote this in 2002 and it still captures my "journey" from the safe but hectic corporate world into the less safe, still somewhat hectic but wonderful world of art.  It's been quite an adventure!  I still feel so fortunate to have found my way and to have been brave enough to pursue this path.  Enjoy!

"This recent journey as an artist started a little over 7 years ago - winter of 1995 to be exact. I was searching for a creative outlet from my stressful corporate job and took a painting class through the "extended university" program. I had painted as a child but had been away from it for a few (???) years. I immediately felt a connection with the paints and brushes in this new class - little did I know this was the beginning of a major life and career shift!

My previous career was very exciting and satisfying as a geologist/manager for the energy industry. My small Texas world was expanded to places I could never have imagined - including living in field camps in Utah and Wyoming for extended periods of field work, and working in the jungles of Indonesia with no electricity or running water. One time I was floating down the river in Indonesia in a utility boat filled with food, supplies, and live chickens - watching the Orangutans in the trees and thinking, "little girls in Texas can't even dream about this!" My personal travels took me to interesting places in Mexico, Australia, Canada and many parts of the U.S., especially in the southwest. My mind and experiences were enriched in ways that I'll always cherish. My memories are a deep well of images from the most amazing places and cultures and people.

During my field work, I was often "alone" and I learned to appreciate the quiet times - something that eventually was lost in the hectic pace of corporate life and my life in general. When I started painting, I remembered the power of those quiet times. I became obsessed with painting and drawing and creating - and "connecting" through the quiet. I found my passion and pursued it full steam ahead - knowing that I had to do many "awful pieces" to get to the good stuff. Once I had some basic skills, I started risking and creating things that seemed to come from nowhere! That's the excitement of the creative process!! I started experiencing those breakthroughs that creative people talk about - and then I was hooked!!

At "50 something", I took the big leap to pursue art full time. A few years of life give you the experiences and wisdom to understand your dreams, and the confidence to follow them. Now I'm bold enough to paint what I want and I'm loving the journey to see what that will be!"