Life & Work with Phoebe Clemens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phoebe Clemens.

Hi Phoebe, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a child, I would spend hours upon hours looking at the different art books that my parents had collected over the years. I was especially drawn towards painting and as I grew older, I started building my own collection of books… Freud, Rauch, Borremans, Saville, etc. Lacking any formal art education, I taught myself how to paint by closely examining the prints in these books and trying to break down how these artists used color, tone, paint application and brushwork. There was definitely a huge learning curve in the beginning (I made SEVERAL terrible paintings), but because I found the process to be so fulfilling, I stuck with it and eventually found my own voice and style. I have now been painting for over a decade and it continues to be the thing that brings me the most joy in life.

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?
My journey as an artist has led me down an extremely bumpy road so to speak. I have highs and lows, both with confidence and finances. There are days/ months where I feel successful and marvel at the work that I am producing, alternatively, there are times where I wonder what the hell I am doing and if I will ever make a good painting.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an oil painter. My subjects range from figurative work to still lives and florals. My paintings have been described as realistic, impressionistic and very LA. I honestly can’t say what I am most proud of because I don’t know, however I am happy that despite the difficulties, criticism and moments of feeling like a crap artist that I have stuck with painting. Drawing has always come intuitively to me and I believe that this can be seen in my work.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have days where painting is not going well, but I have learned to not get too discouraged during these times. Failed attempts lend themselves to exciting under-paintings, informing the new work in ways that I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to perceive.

Contact Info:

• Website: phoebeclemens.com
• Instagram: @phoebeclemens