Today we’d like to introduce you to Clara Berta.
Clara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My art story begins when I took up painting as a creative outlet, back in 1988. I had received a degree in Psychology from Antioch University but was not pursuing that as a career. Instead, I felt like I wanted a more creative pursuit, so I decided I would be an actress! I wrote, produced and starred in a one-woman show called Sex is My Specialty.” I received a great review from the LA Weekly, “A wealth of captivating and humorous material”. It was a story about my life and all that I went through, coming to this country from Romania, and discovering my body and my feminine side, and how I learned to accept and heal.
In 2003 shortly after my show, I lost my husband and went through a depression. At this time, to help me through my grief and depression, I turned back to art and found it to be very healing. I found my way back to life by focusing my energy on painting.
A few months later, I had an art show with another artist, and that’s when I sold my first painting. I realized that creating and making art was helping to heal my broken heart. I was very happy making art and allowing my feelings to fall on the canvas.
I soon realized that it was important to have a foundation, and so I decided to study printmaking with an amazing teacher, Lynne Bernay. She was tough, but I learned so much from her, not only about art but also about discipline. That training was so important since we all need structure in our lives. It helped me develop a routine of creating art every day. In 2008, I decided to focus on my art career full time and enrolled in the Santa Reparata School of Art in Florence to study advanced composition and technique. When I returned, I realized that I wanted to create on canvas and began painting much larger works than I had done previously.
I also had an urge to teach and started holding printmaking classes in my lovely studio in my home. My students loved it, and many women found healing through the group and the community I created. I still enjoy giving back that way, helping people find their own creative voice through the power of art. Art as therapy is something I believe very strongly in, so I am blessed to still have many students, male and female, young and old.
In 2011 I decided to make a change and really focus my energy on becoming a full-time professional working artist. I sold my home and moved to Downtown Los Angeles, where I found a great loft and created an art studio. That was lovely, but soon, I had outgrown that space. In 2015 I found a great large sunny studio only two blocks from my loft.
In 2019 I opened BertaArt Studio Gallery on Main Street, this is where I show my work and there is a fabulous studio in back where I get to create. I am excited every day to get in here since there is so much inspiration around me.
My work continues to evolve over the years, and now my canvases are getting bigger and filled with more vibrancy and emotion. It brings me great joy to create and my work has turned into a successful business. I love being an entrepreneur and find it very rewarding. I especially love bringing art into my collector’s lives which will make an impact emotionally.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been challenging at times especially this year with the pandemic, I have definitely missed Downtown LA Art Walk tours and the amazing guests that have come through the gallery and studio. I love receiving feedback about my work and also what moves people.
I create art because I find it healing and it is so important for us today to be surrounded by work that helps us to relax and also to heal. We are all craving ways to destress and especially since we are spending more time at home. We are all on a path of discovery and healing.
Please tell us more about your art.
I am known for creating large-scale abstract works with color and movement. Recently I created a new series called Galaxy and it is more colorful, layered and filled with lots of energy.
I am very proud that this year we opened a gallery in Dubai, this has been huge endeavor for me and I am very grateful for having a fabulous team to give me support through this journey. I have been dreaming of becoming a Global artist and this year, I have sold more works globally as well.
I am also very grateful for the galleries that support my work throughout the years.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am planning to take a trip to Dubai and create art which will inspire me to create a new body of work.
We will have a fabulous gallery opening. I will also be teaching and creating workshops.
Contact Info:
- Address: 816 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014 - Website: https://BertaArt.com
- Phone: 818-692-0465
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BertaArt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BertaArt
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BertaArt
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bertaart-studio-gallery-los-angeles
Image Credit:
Photo Credit Melanie Negri
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