Art That Makes You Smile!
I paint art that makes you smile! My passion is color and whimsical spins on birds, flowers, critters and more. I love to share joy through my art.
Life’s short - let’s be happy.
For 20+ years I’ve been making art that’s about loving life and finding joy. I just got an email from a collector who said how happy she is every time she looks at her painting that I created. Isn’t that wonderful!
My pre-art career was a geologist and it included extensive travel. I truly believe that my art is influenced by time spent outdoors in the spectacular southwestern United States and parts of Mexico (for fun) and Indonesia (for work) - learning from the earth and connecting with its unspoiled beauty. The very bold colors that “make you smile” are influenced by my youth in South Texas and it’s strong Mexican culture, and years living in the amazing sunshine of California. These magical memories are reflected in brightly colored florals, birds and critters. Now - living in Kansas - the influences of nature continue. The oh-so-colorful birds, butterflies, flowers and vegetables in my yard find their way into my often whimsical art.
Prior to moving to Kansas City in 2007, I owned galleries and studios in Bakersfield, California. That’s where I started teaching others to paint. One of my first students was “elderly” (yikes I’m now approaching her age) and lived alone. After her first set of lessons, she said “you’ve given me a reason to wake up in the morning!” I still get goose bumps thinking about that, and understanding how art can affect someone’s life. In Kansas my studio is in my basement where I do my own creating, teach acrylic painting classes, and conduct fun wine and painting parties. I love to teach and share the joy of painting with others and to help them develop their own creative spirit.
Life’s an adventure! My intention with art is to add some happiness to your adventure!
www.claudiatrue.com
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Select Awards and Recognition
Select One Woman & Group Exhibitions:
. Trillium online gallery - www.trillium.com
• 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
One Woman Museum Shows:
• Bakersfield Museum of Art
• Red River Valley Museum - Vernon, Texas
Galleries owned in Bakersfield, Ca
• True/Saint-John Gallery - Co-owner, 2003-2005
• 18th Street Gallery and Studios – Owner 2005-2007
. Art Gallery on Chester - Co-owner, 2001-2005
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 often 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!"
My pre-art career was a geologist and it included extensive travel. I truly believe that my art is influenced by time spent outdoors in the spectacular southwestern United States and parts of Mexico (for fun) and Indonesia (for work) - learning from the earth and connecting with its unspoiled beauty. The very bold colors that “make you smile” are influenced by my youth in South Texas and it’s strong Mexican culture, and years living in the amazing sunshine of California. These magical memories are reflected in brightly colored florals, birds and critters. Now - living in Kansas - the influences of nature continue. The oh-so-colorful birds, butterflies, flowers and vegetables in my yard find their way into my often whimsical art.
Prior to moving to Kansas City in 2007, I owned galleries and studios in Bakersfield, California. That’s where I started teaching others to paint. One of my first students was “elderly” (yikes I’m now approaching her age) and lived alone. After her first set of lessons, she said “you’ve given me a reason to wake up in the morning!” I still get goose bumps thinking about that, and understanding how art can affect someone’s life. In Kansas my studio is in my basement where I do my own creating, teach acrylic painting classes, and conduct fun wine and painting parties. I love to teach and share the joy of painting with others and to help them develop their own creative spirit.
Life’s an adventure! My intention with art is to add some happiness to your adventure!
www.claudiatrue.com
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Select Awards and Recognition
Select One Woman & Group Exhibitions:
- Ice House Gallery - Bakersfield, Ca
- Bakersfield Museum of Art - Bakersfield, Ca
- Got Art Gallery - Lees Summit, Mo
- New Theatre Restaurant - Overland Park, Ks
- The Art Event at Kansas City Christian School - Prairie Village, Ks
- Whole Foods Gallery - Overland Park, Ks
- Lees Summit City Hall - Lees Summit, Mo
- Rm 39 Restaurant - Leawood, Ks
- Wine Gallery - Kansas City, Mo
- The Olive Tree - Leawood, Ks
- Darling Yoga Studio - Overland Park, Ks
- Stoney Broke Ltd - Prairie Village, Ks
- Arts Council of Kern, Ca - "Claudia True and Friends"
- 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
- Graveyard Vineyard - Paso Robles,Ca
- Durden Art Gallery - Memphis, Tenn
- Designer's Resource Studio - Fort Worth, Texas
. Trillium online gallery - www.trillium.com
• 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
One Woman Museum Shows:
• Bakersfield Museum of Art
• Red River Valley Museum - Vernon, Texas
Galleries owned in Bakersfield, Ca
• True/Saint-John Gallery - Co-owner, 2003-2005
• 18th Street Gallery and Studios – Owner 2005-2007
. Art Gallery on Chester - Co-owner, 2001-2005
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 often 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!"