Clare Tumilty’s journey as an artist began with childhood passions for arts and crafts, evolving into a professional career at age 30 after sharing her art on Instagram. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi, her work embraces imperfection and tranquility, reflecting personal experiences of overcoming trauma. Facing challenges like negative feedback and business management, Clare’s advice to aspiring female artists is to pursue their passions confidently. Memorable achievements, like winning an art competition despite anxiety, have propelled her career forward, aiming to inspire viewers with a sense of peace and introspection through her art. Future projects include a new collection and dreams of supporting domestic violence survivors through her art.
Could you share a bit about your journey as an artist? What inspired you to pursue a career in art?
I have always had an interest in art. Growing up I was always into arts and crafts and I would draw and paint in my spare time however going through school I never saw a way for art to be a career. It wasn’t until I was turning 30 that I really wanted to follow my passion and decided to go public with my art for the first time. I started posting images on Instagram and it gradually grew from there.
Your work is deeply influenced by the concept of Wabi Sabi. How did you discover this aesthetic, and how does it resonate with your own life experiences?
Wabi Sabi is a Japanese Philosophy of embracing perfect imperfection. It is a way of living in which there is appreciation of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent and incomplete” in nature. I found this description so beautiful and was drawn to it immediately. As someone who has suffered from anxiety, PTSD and depression over the years I have always found a calmness in minimal, neutral style and decor and wanted to make art for my own home that I found brought a sense of peace. The outside world can be so hectic and busy I’ve always wanted my home to be a sanctuary where I can relax and switch off and artwork can really bring a space to life. I brought together my love for minimal decor and the Wabi Sabi aesthetic to create the art I make today.
You mentioned that your art reflects the highs and lows of womanhood. Can you elaborate on how your personal experiences have shaped your artistic expression?
I spent years in a physically and mentally abusive relationship where I nearly lost my life and ended up in hospital. Leaving that situation and overcoming the mental obstacles from the trauma was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and I still have to work on myself everyday. It’s taken me nearly 10 years to find the mental peace and confidence I have now after battling with the anxiety and PTSD every day. My art has helped me find my voice again as a woman and allowed me to forge my own path. To me art has always been therapeutic and I think as life throws me new challenges it always filters down to my work and makes me try new things and explore new ways of creating. Accepting ourselves as we are, perfectly Imperfect, is how we find peace and when I create my artworks I embrace the imperfections of each piece and appreciate the beauty of how it’s the flaws that make us who we are and what makes us and a piece of artwork unique.
What challenges or obstacles have you faced in your artistic career, and how have you overcome them?
I’ve faced many challenges, and still do. Starting out I had no clear identity or any idea how to even ship a piece of artwork let alone run a business. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is to be consistent with creating and keep posting your work online even when you don’t feel like it. One of the biggest problems I’ve faced is dealing with negative people online and learning to not let it get to me. When you put yourself and your work out there for the world to see and judge it’s disheartening when someone leaves a nasty comment but it really does come down to realising that that is a reflection of those people and has nothing to do with you. I even had another artist try to ruin my reputation with a brand I was working with which was extremely stressful at the time but you just have to be true to yourself and keep going. I’m not a confrontational person but I think you have to learn to stand up for yourself when necessary, there is plenty of room for everyone to succeed.
What advice would you give to aspiring female artists who are navigating their own artistic journeys?
To go for it! There’s never going to be a right time, to stop waiting for things to be perfect. To take each rejection as a redirection. To not be afraid to take up space in this world and to not be afraid to use your voice. I think all too often we as women don’t want to rock the boat or are afraid to ask for what we want and we end up losing out so I would say have confidence in yourself and in your work and trust that everything works out how its supposed to. As women we are told there’s a timeline that we have to have certain things done or achieved by and I think breaking away from that is how we set ourselves free from these limiting beliefs. My nanny always gave me great advice and would say “what’s for you won’t pass you”, and I try to live by that. Be true to yourself and follow what you love.
How do you balance the business side of being an artist with your creative process? Any tips for artists looking to establish themselves professionally?
I’m still nowhere near the level I want to be at professionally but I have learned that there definitely are two sides when it comes to being an artist. There’s the creative side which comes with ease for me and I could spend hours in the studio just creating but the business side I’ve definitely had to work on. Navigating things like marketing, sales, websites, packaging, shipping etc has all been a learning curve and my advice would be to spend time each day learning how to be better in these areas. You can learn how to do almost anything online so set aside some time to focus on things you need help with. In the beginning I would just create a piece of artwork and then not know what to do with it but if you’re consistent everything does sort of fall into place. There are certain things I don’t like doing but if you want to be a successful artist these things just have to be done.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement in your career that has been particularly meaningful to you?
At the beginning of my career I was still undergoing intensive trauma therapy and I was struggling to even leave the house as my panic attacks were so bad. I had come across an art competition online and even though I was dealing with severe imposter syndrome I decided (with a nudge from my therapist) to enter the competition. To me even just sending off the application form was an achievement and I had no expectation of even getting a reply. Fast forward a few weeks I received an email that completely changed everything. I had not only won the competition but they wanted my pieces in a physical gallery in London. I couldn’t believe it. Traveling to London with my artwork and then turning up on opening night and seeing my work hanging in that gallery in front of hundreds of people is a feeling I will never forget. Not only was I proud that my work was in a gallery in London but I was able to overcome my anxiety and I think it was definitely a turning point where I felt like a “real” artist. It was a pinch me moment and the reason I will always just go for things now.
Your art is described as evoking a sense of peace, enchantment, and sensuality. How do you hope viewers will connect with and interpret your work?
I know my style of artwork might not be to everyone’s taste but that’s the beauty of art. I’ve always been a lover of a neutral colour palette with everything in my life, my home, my clothes and my artwork. My followers and collectors are usually into that style as well and I’m lucky that they love what I create. I want people to view my work and feel the same way I do and appreciate the imperfections of each piece and how that relates to everyday life. To know that there is beauty in brokenness and coming back stronger than before. At first a piece might seem minimal but once studied there’s usually so much more there than people realise, quite like ourselves. If one person stops for a moment to view and reflect on a piece of artwork I have created and feels better than before then I have succeeded in my work as an artist.
What are your upcoming projects or goals for the future? Is there anything exciting on the horizon for Clare Tumilty Art that you can share with us?
I’m currently going through a lot of changes in my personal life at the moment and I have started working on a new collection of work which I’m very excited about. I’m taking my art in a slightly different direction at the moment too and I feel excited. Currently I am working on a number of really cool projects and can’t wait until I can release the images. I have always had the dream of using Clare Tumilty Art as a way to help other domestic violence survivors and hopefully in the future I will be able to make this dream a reality.
