What age are you?
I am 22.
Where do you attend school and what year are you in?
I just graduated from Lehigh University with an Integrated Degree in Materials Science Engineering and Design and am returning to Lehigh next year to complete a Masters of Engineering in Materials Science.
What is your background?
I have two older sisters both of whom are also artists. We grew up doing lots of projects together and just never stopped making things. I remember getting drawing and painting lessons from my eldest sister who took fine art classes in school. We grew up in Colorado and then in Saudi Arabia, and I currently live in Idaho when not at school. I took as many art classes in school as I could and chose to study design as half of my major in college.
What artists are you inspired by?
The artists who most intimately inspire me and influence my work right now are those I follow on Instagram. My favorites are @stolencomputer, Miranda Zimmerman (@faunwood), and Rachel Rainey (@xrainey). I love each of their distinct styles and I reference their techniques as I try to improve my own skills. I’m also inspired by stolen computer’s attitude towards life and art and listen to his podcasts when I need reassurance that if I keep practicing I will get better, and that doing art every day is important if it’s something you love.
… doing art every day is important if it’s something you love.
Your work is clearly wide ranging, from 3D shoes, to illustrations, to set design. Do you have any other artistic paths you’d like to explore?
Right now I’m most passionate about digital illustration and watercolor painting. I also love crafting functional objects which I got to explore in my product design and furniture classes. I always love exploring new media and am sure my interests will continue to diversify.
What have you been working on most recently?
Most recently I’ve been working on getting better at technical skills such as drawing anatomy and portraying light. I’ve also been working on making cover art for music my friend Mariel Weigel makes (Wabz on SoundCloud). I recently made some cover art for a song she made, and she wrote a song inspired by an illustration I did.
What current art world trends are you following?
I’m not currently conscious of following any art world trends besides sharing my work on Instagram!
Describe your creative process.
I’m always collecting ideas for drawings in day to day life. I take pictures of or try to commit to memory interesting compositions or color combinations that I see around me, and I write down things people say that might inspire an illustration. Occasionally I get an idea based on something I’ve collected and then I just go for it! It’s easier for me to motivate myself to make art than do other things because the process is so enjoyable. I try not be too precious about anything I make and look at things as part of the process of developing and improving.
I’m always collecting ideas for drawings in day to day life.
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on social or political issues?
Right now my art is just for me to express things I feel or explore things I find beautiful and interesting. I don’t know if my focus will shift later but right now I do it because it makes me feel good and it’s satisfying to be able to portray ideas visually. However, there’s nothing like the feeling of inspiring other people with your work!
To follow along with Claire Ternes’s artistic endeavors, find her on instagram @turnip.____ or visit her website www.claireternes.com
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