Meet Clara Kewley | Cut Paper Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Clara Kewley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Clara, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I find happiness in beautiful things. I feel the most hope for and connection to the world when I see something that someone has created or cherished – something that has the power to hold me in place for a little bit. I fill my living spaces with beautiful, meaningful objects, from paintings/drawings from friends, candlesticks inherited from my grandmother, and an assortment of books and plants I’ve collected. These objects create a peaceful space and ground me. I bring a similar mindset to my collage work. I try to create work that feels familiar, with peaceful interiors, everyday domestic scenes, and pieces of the world that I’ve observed. My goal is to bring a sense of peace and happiness to those who view the work, hoping they feel a bit more connection to the world around them. With us all being so disconnected in this digital, fast-moving world it’s moments with nature, art, and meaningful objects that bring us back and remind us of the beauty of the Earth.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work in painted paper collage, in the space between collage and painting. What I love most is depicting everyday scenes with close attention to the color and shapes that make it up. I work intuitively to place colors together in ways I find satisfying and beautiful and adjust the shapes and world around me to create strong compositions. The act of working with paper and scissors is meditative, allowing me a space to slow down and simplify life. I love working with my hands, especially at a small scale, because there are small challenges to work through, and getting a piece to a point where it feels right is very satisfying. Every step in the process, painting the papers, cutting out shapes, and placing them, is fun. And that is what matters.

I am most excited to continue working and growing. There is a consistent line through my work, from when I began at 16 to now at 24. But it has evolved a bit, becoming more playful and closely related to how I see the world. I’m excited to see where I go next. I am currently working on a series of NYC storefronts. They have been holding my attention because of all the tiny details I explore in the shop windows and store sign lettering. I am also in the beginning stages of working with an author on a children’s book. This would be a new adventure for me and I am excited to see how I approach it and where it leads.

I arrived where I am today through the support of many artists, family, and community members who saw something in my work and encouraged it. I try my best to take life one day at a time and be productive, but it isn’t always easy. My biggest challenge has been my own mind, feeling like I didn’t deserve certain opportunities and dealing with low self-esteem. I’ve learned the best way is to move slowly, take things one at a time, and not get overwhelmed by everything you should be doing — it can’t all be done at once.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Harlem, NYC about a block from the Hudson River. It feels good here, a bit removed from tourism. If my best friend were to visit I would start by going down to the piers and walking along the trail that spans the entire west side of Manhattan. We’d likely stay in the first night and cook or order from The Handpulled Noodle, easily explained by the name. Over the next few days, I’d bring them to my favorite spots in Central Park. I have no connection to tennis but going to the Tennis Courts in Central Park has become a favorite activity of mine. There are about 20 courts going at a time and it’s very exciting to watch the games and interactions between players.

I’d also have to bring them to the spots where it gets a bit more wooded and you can somewhat forget you’re in the city. The Ramble, the North Woods, and the Conservatory Garden are all favorites. Being near the water in these places is very peaceful.

Of course, we would visit the Met and the MoMA. And, if we needed to get any work done on the trip, we’d go to the NYPL Rose Main Reading Room. On Sunday, we’d go to the Grand Bazaar Flea Market and shop at my favorite thrift store.
One night we’d also have to head down for an event at Sullaluna, an incredible Italian bistro & bookstore focused on the world of illustration.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to the artist community in Easton, PA. I grew up surrounded by an amazing community of intelligent, hardworking people who were incredibly involved not only in their art, but in their community, striving to make it better every day. Many of my early memories are from gallery openings, community garden picnics, and dinner parties. Being surrounded by these artists instilled in me a love for the beauty of the world, an understanding that changing the world begins at the individual and community level, and a deep appreciation for art, music, and literature. This community helped raise me and made me the person I am today.

Website: https://www.clarakewley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clara_kewley_studio/

Other: Email: clarakewley@gmail.com