Rising Stars: Meet Claire Mauvezin of San Gabriel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Mauvezin

Hi Claire, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was young, one of my favorite activities was making houses and detailed environment set ups with my toys. The years went by, and I realized this activity came from my love for telling stories, as it evolved into drawing characters and their worlds around them.

I began to dive deeper into storytelling through illustration when I attended high school at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), where I signed up for illustration class every semester. Using colored pencils, acrylic, and oil paints, I discovered my love for the entertainment arts.

In college, Entertainment Arts was my focus within my Illustration major when I attended ArtCenter College of Design, which strengthened my foundation skills and opened up the world of concept art. Everyday, I think about how thankful I am for choosing ArtCenter with all its incredible professors, who helped me become the best artist that I can be.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being honest, the process of strengthening my artistic skills—especially during college—has been very challenging, however, one of the most rewarding experiences. Emotions such as frustration when you’re trying to learn something new is a hurdle, and the fact is, the learning and practicing never stops if you want to achieve your best potential. But, what keeps me going is reminding myself who I want to become as an artist, and to not let frustration weigh you down, which I’ve learned from my amazing teachers.

Besides skill-based lessons, I’ve also realized that anything worth striving for in life isn’t easy, and not to let that discourage you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in story-driven illustration, especially animated-style environments. Right now, I am most proud of graduating with distinction from ArtCenter College of Design, and right after, beginning an internship with Walt Disney Imagineering in the Concept Design department.

I feel what sets me apart from others is where I draw my inspiration from. I have a passion for so many things classic and vintage, such as the art styles, animation and live-action films, music (e.g. old jazz), or good fashion. These aspects inform me artistically with my work, my favorite music to listen to, and even the way I dress.

What matters most to you? Why?
Although it may sound like a simple thought, the thing that matters to me most is being happy. That is, if you’re happy in life, you’re doing everything your heart is telling you to do: professionally and personally. That’s what success means to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://clairemauvezin.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairemauvezinart/