Growing up in Oklahoma City near the stockyards and fairgrounds instilled Claire with a love for classic western themes from a young age. Horses, livestock and dogs always caught her eye. However; the more time she spends in these areas, the more she sees how intricate are the stories of the West. Claire views the West not only as a specific region, but a region shaped by fables, folklore and interactions between humans and animals. Pulling from a rich catalogue of these narratives -both historical and current- Claire’s goal is to tell the untold stories of animals in the American West.
Looking back to sculptors such as Anna Hyatt Huntington, Rembrandt Bugatti and Antoine-Louis Barye for their understanding of anatomy and deep respect for their subjects, Claire simplifies her subject to depict only what is necessary.
After studying academic painting and drawing at the Oklahoma Academy of Classical Art, Claire attended the University of Oklahoma and studied with acclaimed sculptor Paul Moore. Along with her studio practice, Claire teaches at Oklahoma Contemporary’s Studio School.
CV:
Education:
2017-2021 BFA in Studio Art,The University of Oklahoma
2015-2019 Oklahoma Academy of Classical Art
Exhibitions:
2025 “Paw, Prints & Portraits”, Firehouse Art Center
2023 “ARTini” Art Auction, Oklahoma City, OK
2022 “RANCHtini” Art Auction, Oklahoma City, OK
2021 Paseo Small Art Show, Oklahoma City, OK
2021 “GOLDtini” Art Auction, Oklahoma City, OK
2021 “Fall Members Show”, Oklahoma Art Guild, Oklahoma City, OK
2021 “Bridge the Gap” Senior Capstone Exhibition, University of Oklahoma
Awards:
2025 Founder’s Day Award from Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center
2021 Honorable Mention, Paseo Small Art Show, Oklahoma City
2021 1st place in Sculpture Category, Oklahoma Art Guild Members Show
2020 Recipient of the Helene C. Lottinville Prize
Instruction:
2019-2022. Oklahoma Academy of Classical Art, Edmond, OK
2019-current Private instruction
Publications:
April 2019 Art Focus Magazine, “24 Works on Paper: The Traveling Exhibition”
Lectures and Demonstrations:
Aug. 2021 Sculpting demo at the Oklahoma Art Guild, Oklahoma City, OK
Feb. 2020 Wildlife painting demonstration, Teen Art Guild, Edmond, OK
Jan. 2020 Wildlife painting demo, Edmond Art Association, Edmond, OK
Aug. 2019 Pet portrait demo, Oklahoma Art Guild, Oklahoma City, OK
Jan. 2019 “Changes in Wildlife Art” lecture, Charles M. Russell Center, OU
Representation:
Terra Rosa Gallery: Guthrie, Oklahoma