Clair Koch
Contemporary Art in Paintings, Mixed Media & Collage.

C L A I R     K O C H

"Biography"

Clair is originally a native of Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, and now resides, designs and paints in Stamford, CT, USA.  Previous to moving to the U.S., Clair had been active in all aspects of the fashion industry from design, to production, to marketing and retailing of her contemporary sportswear creations and accessories.  Her keen and unusual fashion perspective, always full of color and an unmatched vibrancy, continually maintained her Brazilian boutique as a hallmark of contemporary "avant-garde" fashion.  The name "Maluka"  (Portuguese for "crazy things") gave this shop its official recognition.  Never having been formally instructed in sketching and drawing, Clair found herself at a disadvantage coming here to the U.S. markets.  In October 1996, the persistence and deep-rooted desire to learn these skills suddenly found her experimenting with colored pencils, watercolors and acrylic paints.  She is truly a self-taught artist!  Her "first" picture, an impressionistic landscape, done on the base of a chinet paper plate, was an understatement of true raw talent!  The refinement and characteristic perspective that Clair has given each successive picture has been explosive in both the quality and quantity she has produced in such a short period.  Although watercolors, acrylics and collage have been a prime medium for her work, Clair propagates a style found in more traditional artwork normally done in oils.  Her work spans a vast spectrum.  It inspects our world and its components ranging from panoramas to floras, to the celebration of special relationships or conflicts within our world, to the vistas of her life, travels and fantasies, but always touched with the soft feeling of the love and beauty she herself exudes.  Her primary series "Flora Nova" was met with critical acclaim from many international sources for its technique, color and perspective!  Her first ”Limited Edition" print, which was published and immediately sold out, was a selection from that "Flora Nova" series.  Subsequently she has published other limited edition prints of some of her most popular paintings.  Meanwhile, Clair has exhibited in many local, national and international juried exhibitions and has won numerous awards for her works. With a burgeoning passion for her newfound vocation, Clair is continually experimenting with new techniques and substrates to further express her innate natural talent and perspective.  Upon winning the  "Best of Show"  award in a national exhibition, the juror stated  ".….....a brilliant wave of movements.  Each brush stroke is a small painting within itself.  What appears to be an abstract expressionism interpretation from afar, becomes clear and detailed up close.  Closely analyzing the painting confirms each stroke is deliberate and precise.  To have painted such a successful painting necessitates an extremely talented hand.  But to successfully create a painting which transforms from one style to another requires an extremely creative mind."

In her Artist Statement, Clair further articulates   ".......... Brazilian's embody a distinctive spirit that is reflective of their love for life and the intricate relationships within the elements of that spirit.  In my works, I try to express my own perspective of the beauty of these intricate but simple associations.  Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish fantasy from reality.  However, not wanting to be imprisoned by form or substance, it is through my labyrinthine of color and sensation that I hope to echo that exciting resonance of the vibrations from within........ "

Clair aggressively continues to explore new horizons, enabling her participation and recognition at significant exhibitions and major art venues which has propelled her to the forefront of her peers.  Clair is a member of the Loft Artists Association and maintains a working studio at their site in Stamford, CT.  She is also represented by galleries in the United States, Europe and Brazil.

For further Information or a Studio Visit please call 203-975-8119  or  email her at:  brascomp@ntplx.net