Fermanagh artist Claire is ready for fresh and inspirational art energies

After many years living and working in the rural countryside of Donegal, close to the Fermanagh Border, Claire was given the news at the end of June that she would be required to move her home and studio elsewhere.

A huge change, but one that she embraced as she let the universe guide her in this new, unexpected adventure.

“There has been a lot of change around me and in me recently. I used to fear change. Now, I sense it as an unfolding process of surrender, to the unknown, to the flow,” she told The Impartial Reporter, adding: “They say your gut is a second brain, your heart certainly another. Getting out of the mind is key.”

Claire Falconer, Artist.

Prior to her move, Claire had dedicated the month of June to creating works in her studio for her Solstice painting project, which she described as “an exercise in yielding to what may come and the creation of one painting a day inspired by the light at this apex of the year”.

This is the second year that she has worked on the self-led project.

Claire Falconer, Artist.

“Last year, I painted 21 pictures in 21 days – my 21 Sun Salute – as it decided to be called, finishing on June 21,” explained Claire, noting that the project was “exhausting, exhilarating and so full of challenges and learnings”.

‘Evolution’

“[It was] an evolution in my practice with an intention to release control and perfectionism. I shared the process of each painting online every evening and found a whole new world of art-loving connections opening up,” she said, commenting that she hadn’t realised just how solitary her practice had become.

Claire Falconer, Artist.

“[that’s] always a danger with painting, and one which is both good and very challenging for me.”

During June this year, Claire completed 17 paintings of the planned 21 paintings, putting the rest of the project on hold after discovering that she had three weeks to move her home and studio.

Claire Falconer, Artist.

“I had a lot to do and so I reluctantly set down the brushes to focus fully on the move,” she explained, noting that she will finish the final four pictures in her 21 Sun Salute as they come, “prioritising keeping calm, healthy, nourished, energised and sane until then”.

Describing her paintings as “like diary entries”, each one so personal, each one recalling so much time, sense of place, energy and emotion, Claire commented that the pieces she created in the weeks leading up to her move were a means of her saying a “nostalgic goodbye to a wonderful studio”.

“[It was] a decision beyond me, yet I knew that I was being guided onwards, outwards,” she said.

Now a couple of weeks following her initial move, Claire has found a new home and work space.

“I am amazed. It is a continued unfolding of this most beautiful dream,” she said, adding: “The new nest is mid Donegal and in an historic house which has been inhabited by many, many creative souls.

‘History’

“It’s the second time I’ll be living in a place with this history. The first was the Trianon in LA, inhabited over the years by writers, musicians, painters, producers and dancers. Their energy remains, it is infused into the walls.

Claire Falconer, Artist.

“I am very lucky to have this opportunity and am looking forward to sharing much new magic in paintings, writings and in my videos.”

Amid the excitement of moving to a new home and studio space, Claire is currently working on two art commissions and has many new ventures on the cards for the rest of 2022.

One of these is a potential new theatrical collaboration with her good friend, Maura Logue, storyteller and playwright, of Dark Daughter Productions.

Claire has also been focusing on her poetry lately and is involved in a unique collaboration of spoken word and music. She outlined: “I have a good friend and collaborator in the form of dance DJ Rob Hough, SoulSync. When I first met Rob it seemed the most unlikely pairing. I would never have imagined my poetry put to electronic dance music!

“We have a gig at The Turquoise Cafe, Roundwood, County Wicklow on August 20, followed by – and I am very excited – an hour and a half set at the Electric Picnic festival on September 2, where I’ll perform two of my spoken word pieces, ‘The Call is One’, and ‘Magnetic Impulse’ to Rob’s energetic beats.

“We will be launching a single of ‘The Call is One’ leading up to these events.”

Although she has experienced a lot of change, Claire says she is “so grateful” to have been able to embrace this time of challenge “knowing deep down that all is unfolding exactly as it should – or as Terence McKenna, a great thinker once said, ‘Worry is preposterous. We don’t know enough to worry’,” concluding with an excerpt from her poem, ‘The Call is One’.

We rest our wings in dreams

Preparing to soar

Lighter than ever before

That we may view this world from afar

And see our place among infinite stars

Balanced

In perfect harmony

Holding space

For this new dawn

To awaken fledgling wings for flight

Claire's work is available to view via her new website or Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.