Sa carrière d’artiste, Clara Rubin la doit en partie à ses parents qui lui ont insufflé cette sensibilité pour l’art. Milanaise de naissance, Londonienne d’adoption, ces deux cultures font parties d’elle et empreignent son oeuvre.
Ses illustrations et ses peintures sont le reflet de sa vie, des moments qui construisent son quotidien. De ces détails, dont on ne se préoccupe pas, Clara en fait une oeuvre riche dans ses coloris et simple dans sa composition. De David Hockney à la Dolce Vita, il n’y a qu’un pas. Et Clara Rubin nous y entraine toute la semaine avec ses dernières créations.
Ses illustrations et ses peintures sont le reflet de sa vie, des moments qui construisent son quotidien. De ces détails, dont on ne se préoccupe pas, Clara en fait une oeuvre riche dans ses coloris et simple dans sa composition. De David Hockney à la Dolce Vita, il n’y a qu’un pas. Et Clara Rubin nous y entraine toute la semaine avec ses dernières créations.
L'artiste Clara Rubin
Could you introduce yourself?
I am a 32 years old artist from Milan, Italy. I grew up in Milan and I spent most of my life there. I did live for 8 years in London during my twenties, mainly for university. London has been the most wonderful long life experience of my life so far. I graduated from the BA in Illustration at Camberwell College in 2011. I loved the course so much and I met some of my greatest friends, who I am still in touch with Today.
I think a big part of why I chose to work in the arts is that both my parents are very original, artistic people.
Kitchen interior with a view, gouache sur papier.
You mainly make close-ups on details of everyday life. Tell us about the framing, what do you want to reveal?
I do love painting from life. I pick subjects that are close to me and paint them from life. I like the idea of interpreting the subject and being as imaginative as possible.
When I work from life painting comes easier because I find there are so many details to take inspiration from in real life compared to photographs.
My work is quite figurative but I like the idea of it being mysterious and naïve in my paintings.
Everyday life and interiors seem to inspire almost all your illustrations. But you also work with landscapes. What is your creative process? Is it the same according to the genre you work with?
I would like to explore different subjects as much as possible. So far I focused on giving interpretations of things that are close to me. Especially because I love painting from life, so it came natural to work on all the things that surround me here in Italy. When I work from life I get so much inspiration. It helps me being more original and giving my own interpretation.
I would love to work more from my studio as well. My goal is to finding my way of painting in a more abstract way in the future.
Life draing from Sicily, 2020
Drawing for Tobias Grau lighting company
Even if your illustrations are mainly composed of bright solid colours, the motif seems to be just as important to you. What does it bring to your compositions?
I have always been quite drawn to patterns. Whenever I find patterns in my subjects I usually paint them.
I think I am inspired by the naïve movement in art.
I usually look at so many pictures during the day because I am really into visual imagery. From photography to sculpture, fashion and painting images.
I tend to do a lot of research on contemporary galleries in New York. I love to find painters and artists that I like and look at their work.
All these images help my work because I think it is a sort of training/exercise for reference in my work. And also to figure out what artistic forms I like and viceversa.
Granada with view, illustration originale pour Tobias Grau lighting company
There is a photographic aspect to your work. Scenes that seem to be captured on the spot. Do you have a link with this medium?
I love photography. I always look at photographers work. I love taking photographs myself as well. I am attracted to the idea of the narrative. Also training myself to have a good eye and finding good subjects
Framed drawing
You do a lot of collaboration with the press. We actually discovered you through Marie Claire magazine. Could you tell us about your work with the press? What do these collaborations bring to your work?
I love working on commissions for editorial projects. Although my main goal is to work as a painter and artist. I have started selling my paintings only really recently. It is quite a long process for me to make paintings so I love that I can earn money with the illustrations projects while I produce my paintings.
I really like speaking to art directors. It is inspiring to have their feedback and to have different briefs each time.
What are you currently working on and what are your future projects?
I am working on a commission for a new sunglasses brand which is launching in march.
I would love to create a few new paintings in the near future to build up my painting portfolio
Illustration pour Rivista Studio n 35, 2018
Portrait, 2020
