Claire Harrison: Revealing Nature's Hidden Conversations
- Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM
- Jun 28
- 4 min read
Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. From just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here. This profile is just one of them.
Meet Claire Harrison.
In this interview, Mark created Claire Harrison's fantasy cultural year from the answers to some easy questions to which there were no wrong answers.
Mark had a magic wand and a time machine at his disposal, so expect some surprises, laughs, anecdotes and conversational detours.
Some artists paint the world as it appears. Claire Harrison paints the world as it feels.
Working from her Sussex studio, Claire creates richly layered oil paintings that explore the profound relationship between humanity, nature and the subconscious mind. Her work sits at the meeting point of observation and imagination, where landscapes become metaphors, wildlife carries symbolic meaning, and hidden narratives emerge through colour, texture and form.
Rather than depicting nature simply as scenery, Claire sees it as something far more fundamental. We are not separate from the natural world. We are part of it. This belief lies at the heart of her artistic practice.
Inspired by mythology, ecology, dreams and psychology, Claire's paintings invite viewers to slow down and discover the intricate connections that exist between people and the living world.
Each work develops gradually through numerous translucent layers of oil paint, a process that can take many months—and sometimes years—to complete. The result is a remarkable sense of depth and luminosity that reflects the complexity of the ideas beneath the surface.
A defining aspect of Claire's practice is her use of automatism, allowing marks and imagery to emerge instinctively from the subconscious before gradually revealing their meaning. Rather than controlling every stage of a painting from the outset, she embraces uncertainty, trusting the creative process to uncover unexpected relationships and visual narratives.
Alongside her own artistic practice, Claire is a dedicated mentor, supporting artists as they navigate both the creative and practical realities of building sustainable careers. She understands that artistic development involves far more than technical skill; it also requires confidence, resilience and the courage to trust one's own voice.
Whether creating intricate oil paintings, exploring subconscious imagery or helping fellow artists flourish, Claire's work consistently asks us to reconsider our relationship with the world around us.
Her paintings do not simply celebrate nature. They remind us that we belong to it.
Examples of Claire Harrison's work:
Claire Harrison's Fantasy Cultural Year ... with a magic wand and a time machine to hand.
Claire Harrison's Fantasy Cultural Year begins in southern Spain.
The setting is the magnificent Alhambra, where intricate Islamic geometry, flowing water and centuries of craftsmanship create one of the world's great architectural masterpieces. As evening falls, a pop-up café overlooks the ancient palace gardens.
On the table sits an iced latte.
Beside it lies Tom Sharpe's Riotous Assembly, bringing a touch of humour to the tranquil surroundings. Softly playing through her headphones is the atmospheric music of Icelandic rock band Kaleo.
Then everything changes.
A wealthy Andalusian family foundation has spent years collecting Claire's work. Captivated by her ability to reveal hidden relationships between humanity and nature, they offer her an extraordinary commission.
Travel the world.
Create a new body of surrealist paintings inspired by some of Earth's most remarkable landscapes.
Every expense will be covered.
A documentary crew will accompany the journey.
Upon her return there will be an international exhibition, a beautifully illustrated book, a TED Talk and a global lecture tour exploring creativity, ecology and the subconscious.
The adventure begins in Peru.
Walking the ancient Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu, Claire experiences landscapes where civilisation and nature have existed in delicate balance for centuries. The journey inspires a series of paintings exploring endurance, memory and humanity's relationship with the Earth.
The next destination is the Adriatic Coast.
Here, the interplay between sea, stone and history offers another rich source of visual symbolism. During the visit Claire enjoys watching Olympic archery, fascinated by the concentration, rhythm and precision of the sport.
The journey then continues to Amman, where a groundbreaking digital gallery allows visitors to step inside famous paintings through virtual reality. Claire chooses Georgia O'Keeffe.
Immersed within vast desert landscapes, flowers and symbolic forms, she experiences first-hand how scale, abstraction and nature can transform perception.
Returning to London, the cultural celebrations continue with a Primal Scream concert, The Woman in Black at the theatre, The Phantom of the Opera, an evening at the Royal Opera House and a screening of Luc Besson's The Fifth Element.
The year concludes over lunch with scientist James Lovelock.
Together they discuss the Gaia hypothesis, creativity, ecology and the possibility that art can help humanity rediscover its place within the living systems that sustain us all.
It is the perfect conclusion to a year devoted to revealing the hidden conversations between people and the natural world.
Would you like to be profiled and promoted this way?
This is just one of several benefits of full membership from just £10 per month (€13/$13 ish) and you may cancel any time.
Join us here.
Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time.
Here are some of our full member testimonials:
"Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much."
"Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!"
"I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals."
Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
Comments