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Claudia Verciani - An Artistic Journey

Posted on 12/18/2021 2:24:45 PM by Adele Hendricks - Comment on this
Topics: Claudia Verciani

Claudia Verciani is one of RSF Art Guild’s newest members and our former Webmaster. As a University-trained artist with a background in Graphic Arts, Ms. Verciani brings her vast artistic design skills and experiences to the Guild. You may have read about Claudia in our April Newsletter and know the excitement surrounding this Impressionist painter.

I met Claudia many years ago through our mutual art mentor, Catherine Grawin. I began painting at Catherine’s home studio and there I learned the basics of Alla Prima oil painting. Claudia and Cathe, as we all affectionately called Catherine, met through the Athenaeum in La Jolla. In 2017 we lost our mentor and dear friend Cathe to cancer. Claudia never thought of teaching or felt she had the ability to do so, but towards the end of her life Cathe became too weak to teach and asked Claudia to teach her students. The trust and support Cathe placed in Claudia gave Claudia the confidence one needs to try a new skill.

Because of Cathe’s inspiring personality, love of art and Claudia’s willingness to teach the group of student artists, the group clung together. Soon after Cathe’s passing one such artist, Paige Perkins, started the CG painting studio in her backyard. With the confidence and guidance she learned from Cathe and a request from Paige, Claudia began teaching painting to the group in Paige’s garden studio on a regular basis. In Paige’s sweet garden among the flowers and buzzing bees, Claudia and I picked up our friendship once again. The group of artists, now known as CG group all painted together until the unfortunate pandemic caused the group to find alternative safe spots to support their need to paint. We all began to paint from home, posting and sharing on the CG Facebook page. Some have joined the RSF Art Guild. Catherine Grawin & Claudia Verciani

“Early on in my painting journey I met my mentor, teacher and friend, Catherine Grawin. She was a wonderful Impressionist painter and had an amazing ability to teach folks how to paint. Cathe’s background was similar to mine, as she had worked as a graphic designer before she was a painter. She inspired me to follow through with my decision and make painting my career.”

But Cathe’s love and teaching instruction was not quite the beginning of “Claudia the Artist’s”’ journey. As Claudia evolved from businesswoman to artist, this young painter, wife and mother of two growing boys began to seek out fine art instruction. So at 46 years of age she enrolled in the study of Fine Arts at UCSD on weekends and evenings. During this time Claudia came upon a wonderful artist and instructor, Jeanne Dunn. Ms. Dunn encouraged Claudia to discover her own style and soon Claudia found her love for Impressionism.

“I became fascinated by Berthe Morisot. One of the few professional women artists working as an Impressionist painter in the 1800’s. I’d say she was my introduction into the world of Impressionism. Then I became inspired by so many other wonderful artists, such as Sorolla, Enri, Sargent, Edgar Payne, Serov, William Wendt, and too many others to list here”.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berthe_Morisot
https://www.jeannedunn.net/

Claudia’s artistic journey has come full circle. She began as a young SF University art student from Brazil; she then studied Graphic arts, and then a businesswoman here in San Diego. Her decision to paint full time and leave the soul-sucking world of business behind has led her to a much happier lifestyle. Although not quite as lucrative as the world of business, she feels she has found her place in the world.

Take a look at Claudia’s work, her canvases tell a delightful story – sometimes, she says, a very personal one. This becomes clear as she recounts her early memories of finding refuge in the beauty of nature in her native home of Brazil. There in the parks and woods of Rio she began her love and appreciation of nature and her need to capture it with brush and paint. With this passion Claudia brings much light and life to her work. Today, Claudia uses oils to depict many different types of subject matter, but she particularly loves painting children. Visit her website to view all of her latest works.

claudia verciani website

“Painting is a conviction… this is what I’m supposed to be doing with my life now. It challenges me to be better and learn more. It’s a life’s journey, constant learning, and I absolutely love it.”