Our latest conversation is with Artist Claudia Lowry. Claudia designed the beautiful embossed wildflower designs on the bottles and packaging for our new Bramley Skin collection.
Join us as we catch up with Claudia and she tells us a bit more about her creative process...
Hi Claudia! Please tell us briefly about yourself & what you do.
I’m an artist and illustrator, I live in a small town in West Sussex.
We’re lucky to have the coast and beautiful countryside close by, including the majestic South Downs. I have a tiny studio (with many resident spiders) tacked on to the back of our house where I work.
Have you always been an artist?
No, but I’ve always been involved in the arts. I studied illustration to degree level then spent the next fifteen years working as an artist agent. I loved working with so many talented artists and worked on some exciting projects, but ultimately I wasn’t fulfilled.
It took a move out of London and a redundancy to give me the space to re- evaluate my career. I started drawing what I loved, initially in a much more realistic drawing style, but quickly realised that it wasn’t me at all, and reverted back to my loose expressive mark making, the style I’d always had.
It was really from this point that I started to sell my drawings, and commissions and commercial projects followed from there.
How did you become a wildflower artist?
I’m not sure I really label myself as a wildflower artist as such. My inspiration comes from the natural world and all seasonal British flora, whether that’s a beautiful wildflower meadow, a hedgerow or flowers grown in my own garden.
What inspires you as an artist?
I grew up in the Dorset countryside, both my parents were keen gardeners with a deep love of nature, which rubbed off on me. The ever-changing seasonal shifts in the countryside never cease to inspire me.
I walk our dog daily and always arrive back at my studio full of ideas. I feel an absolute compulsion to draw this beauty that’s all around us.
Which is your favourite flower to draw?
An impossible question to answer. However, I think I’m most awestruck and inspired by wildflowers. They can be overlooked and yet, for example, a buttercup or a daisy can be as exquisitely beautiful as the most gorgeous bloom grown in a well maintained garden.
What have you enjoyed most working with Bramley?
It’s been wonderful working with Chloë and her friendly team. I was given so much creative freedom, a dream project! I also really admire the ethos behind the brand, and the fact it’s inspired by the British countryside.
Are you working on anything exciting at the moment?
I’ve recently finished six large drawings for a new Michelin starred restaurant in London. I’ve also just partnered with a company to produce a range of greetings cards, which will be available early next year.
I’ve got plans to launch online seasonal flower drawing classes too, something I’ve been keen to do for ages.
Bath or shower?
Shower
Favourite smell?
Petrichor, sweet peas, cow parsley in the warm sun
Favourite podcast?
As The Season Turns with Lia Leendertz/Ffern
Favourite film?
At the moment it’s either The Dig or A Hidden Life
Favourite food?
My brother’s homemade vegetable curry
Favourite song?
Blackbird by The Beatles (my youngest son is obsessed with The Beatles)
Favourite flower?
Changes every day!
