Silky Oak

Clara has been privately creating hand-embroidered paintings for over 20 years and last year finally felt brave enough to share her art with the world - both on Instagram and in local shows. Over the years, Clara has struggled with complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Continuing to create her art during these challenges gave her purpose and a sense of self despite her internal chaos. The embroidered elements are one of Clara’s favourite parts of her creative process, finding the slow, deliberate practice of hand stitching her paintings to be almost meditative. Clara loves the subtle textural contrast embroidery provides, while also drawing the eye to the detailed layers beneath.

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This abstract was inspired by the golden flowers of the silky oak trees that bloom in spring. I love how they often grow near jacarandas; the yellow and purple flowers glowing together, side by side. The curly marks in this piece reference the tepals of the silky oak flowers and the golden French knots reflect the anthers at the summit of each. The cloudy patterns were inspired by the lichen that often decorates the trees' trunks.