Explain your background as an artist — your influences or inspirations early in life.
I have always had a creative spark, even as a child. My parents would take my sisters and me to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts … I remember being in awe of all of the art. Our playroom transformed into an art room, and I was spending my time working with the various materials: rolls of draft paper my dad brought home from work; powder mixed with water to become paint; nail polish; hand-me-down painting sets. My commitment and passion grew from a spark to flame in high school, and I kept pursuing art at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I graduated in 2016 with a BFA.
What is your preferred medium? Why?
My preferred medium is acrylic and oil paint. Paint is where I started; I am a self-taught painter, and it just comes naturally to me and feels the most intimate to me. There has always been something therapeutic about the process — working with pigments to mix the colors, brushing, blending and layering the paint onto the canvas for hours, finally ending up with a complete painting, the vision I had in my mind.
Describe your artistic routine, such as place, mood and music.
I just recently moved out of my home studio into a beautiful space in Woodlawn. The whole front of the building consists of ceiling-to-floor windows, so the natural light is fantastic. I love being there during the day, preferably with good coffee and either a podcast or jazz in my headphones.
What does Birmingham provide to you as an artist?
I feel very fortunate beginning my career as an artist in Birmingham. The city has provided me unique opportunities to grow. I have been able to cultivate a strong relationship with the local community and to make a name for myself without the saturation of a larger city.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to keep painting and keep pushing forward with my practice. I have a solo show coming up at Lowe Mill this summer, in the First Floor West Gallery. I hope to expand my reach outside of Alabama in the next few years.
To reach Claire, learn about showings or inquire about commissions, visit her website, clairegodbee.com, follow her Instagram account,@godbee, or send her an email at clairegodbeeart@gmail.com.
