Meet Claire Kavaya of Downtown San Clemente

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Kavaya.

Hi Claire, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m from Paris, after graduating the fine art school of arts, I have been an art teacher for 16 years in Paris, teaching figurative drawing and painting to adult students. In 2018, I met my American husband who was living in Paris as well at the time.
We decided to come back to San Clemente where he was born and raise, and it felt natural to me to continue teaching art.
I opened The Side Street Art Studio in September 2022 where I focus on teaching figurative drawing and oil painting, with special drawing workshops such as live figure drawing or special techniques (charcoal, colored pencil, ink…)

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had to adapt to the change of pace within a very big city to a small town where business takes a little more time to pick up, but everyone I have crossed path with and every student have been incredibly supportive, kind and generous. Working with smaller groups of students have also led to bonding relationships and ending up having new friends as well. I think the biggest challenge, like a lot of small business in Orange County have to face, is the increase of rent over the years.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in figurative oil painting, getting inspired by a numerous of different things according to where I live when creating :

In Paris, I painted a lot architectural spaces and pigeons, and in California I fell in love with the colors and shapes of the termites tents, as well as more conventional subjects, such as palm trees and lifeguard towers. The wamth of the light here is much more different than the light in Europe, leading to having a lot of fun with colors !

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I love watching UFC hahaha

Pricing:

• $65 for a 3 hour class
• $95 for a 3 hour sip and paint (food and drinks included)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thesidestreetartstudio.com
• Instagram: @the.side.street.art.studio