Artist Spotlight: Clare Grill

Queens, New York-based artist Clare Grill finds inspiration for her paintings in antique embroidery samples, drawn to their intricate handiwork, rich materiality, and evocative mood. Embracing the feminine energy imbued in these historical artifacts, Grill translates their imagery into her own unique artistic language.

Process and Inspiration

Grill’s creative process begins with drawing from the antique embroidery, capturing the essence of their patterns and motifs. These initial sketches serve as the foundation for her paintings, which evolve organically as she draws upon her drawings to create layered compositions. Each piece undergoes a process of accumulation and refinement, with Grill adding and subtracting layers of paint and texture until the artwork reaches its final form.

Embracing Imperfections

Central to Grill’s approach is a willingness to embrace imperfections and unpredictability in her work. Drawing parallels to the process of pearl formation from irritants in nature, she welcomes elements that she cannot fully control into her artistic practice. Utilizing thick, slow-drying paint on linen canvas, Grill highlights the variations in texture and weave, allowing for unexpected interactions between materials and colors.

Incorporating Found Materials

Grill’s paintings often incorporate found materials and remnants from her studio, reflecting her commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness. She repurposes old paint piles from her palette, mixing together leftover colors to create new hues. These traces of past paintings, with their dried bits and surprise color combinations, become integral elements in her compositions, adding depth and complexity to the finished artwork.

Conclusion

Clare Grill’s paintings offer a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional embroidery, blending elements of nostalgia with her own artistic vision. Through her meticulous process and embrace of imperfections, Grill creates works that are imbued with texture, depth, and emotional resonance. Each painting invites viewers to explore the intersections of memory, materiality, and the creative process, capturing moments of beauty and contemplation amidst the chaos of artistic experimentation.