About Clara Grouazel
Biography
From Brittany to Quebec
Clara Grouazel is a multidisciplinary painter of Breton origin , established in Quebec since 1994. Her artistic career began in her adolescence, where she showed a passionate interest in sketching, a technique which allows her to bring out, in broad strokes, the essence of her subjects.
Byzantine Iconography & the Master of Iconography Alexander Sobolev
In the early 2000s , she immersed herself in the study of 15th-century Byzantine iconography under the master iconographer Alexander Sobolev . With her in-depth knowledge and rigorous practice, she gradually softened her technique to integrate it into her own artistic approach. This fusion is vividly reflected in her entire work.
Commemorative Art
Clara enriches her artistic quest by opening a new chapter, that of Commemorative Art : an approach that is both human and spiritual , where funeral ashes become an integral part of her creations. Each painting is designed in bas-relief and is a true contemporary iconographic painting . A singular and unique tribute, aiming to perpetuate the essence of a life beyond time. It is a funerary and cremation art that honors both memory and beauty . These works are designed with a technical rigor that stems directly from the artistic heritage of her practice of iconography.
Distinctions and international recognition
She has received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal at the National Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) International Competition in Brazil and was selected to exhibit at the prestigious Art Capital fair at the Grand Palais in Paris . Her work has also been awarded the Artistic Merit Award by the Pinacothèque Museum in Luxembourg for the quality and originality of her work.
Artistic approach
An intuitive and contrasting artistic expression
As a multidisciplinary painter , the bold combination of raw and delicate renderings is my preferred means of expression. Each work begins with the creation of rough and altered textures, where imperfections and accidents become the fertile ground for my creation . Layer upon layer, abrasion upon abrasion, I progress until I transcend this complex texture with multiple layers of transparent paint.
I then begin a more subtle work, a back and forth between the surface and the thickness of the material. Often, I start without a preliminary sketch, simply deciding on a dominant color and the location of the subject, and then letting myself be guided by the flow of inspiration .
Mixed techniques and traditional know-how
In each of my works , the strength of the raw material marries the delicacy of the details . This alchemy of contrasts offers the eye a visual poetry embodying the heart of my artistic universe.
My passion for painting constantly inspires me to explore a wide range of techniques, combining contemporary mixed media methods with more traditional approaches, such as iconography or tempera , inherited from the old masters. My creations feature marble powder , gold leaf , inks , vegetable dyes , ashes and precious pigments .
Who am I?
A Quebec painter , I was born in Brittany, this land of legends that has nourished my imagination since childhood. In 1994 , I chose to live and work in Quebec , attracted by the richness and cultural diversity of this welcoming land. This choice has profoundly influenced my artistic journey .
In the early 2000s , I had the privilege of studying Byzantine iconography with the master iconographer Alexander Sobolev . This decisive period enriched my practice with valuable know-how that I then integrated into my artistic approach. Then, over time, life led me towards the creation of contemporary commemorative works inspired by iconographic art , a new chapter that became obvious.
I live in a lakeside house surrounded by forests. This is where my studio is located , a light-filled space where I dedicate myself to my art. My two greyhounds accompany me every day. Our daily walks through the woods and along the lake fuel my inspiration . In life, my family occupies an essential place... invaluable support that nourishes my energy and inspiration.