About Clare Schouten

I am an abstract and semi-abstract painter working primarily with landscapes and seascapes. My art is rooted in my local surroundings and shaped by emotional responses—both to what I see and what I remember. Each piece becomes a visual echo of experience, filtered through feeling.

My creative process is intuitive and playful. I work with a sense of liberation, where there are no mistakes—only discovery, joy, and presence. Through layering, mark-making, and the use of tactile materials like oil paint, acrylics, texture gels, and pastels, I build rich surfaces that are as textural as they are visual. Scenic views inspire me, but I reimagine them using heightened hues and expressive gesture to evoke atmosphere and emotional resonance.

What I value most in my practice is the sense of escape and aliveness it brings. If a painting feels whole—if it resonates emotionally—then that is enough. My aim is not just to express the beauty I find in nature, but to offer viewers a moment of reflection and emotional connection through an abstract and semi-abstract lens that celebrates color, mood, and memory.

My Rain series reflects on my years in Singapore, where the monsoon season brought a sense of peace and introspection. The warm rains offered a rhythm that allowed for reflection and healing. Through abstracted landscapes in oil and acrylic, I capture the emotional essence of those rains—serenity, release, and renewal. This series marked a shift in my practice, embracing softness, fluidity, and emotional depth.

In Fall, I explore the connection between water and emotion. Just as waterfalls flow, crash, and reform, our feelings move in waves—restless and ever-changing. Through dynamic, abstract depictions of falling water, I invite viewers to reflect on their own emotional currents and the beauty found in movement, vulnerability, and transformation.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, I have always felt a deep connection to art. My journey formally began when I moved to Singapore with my family, where I decided to pursue Fine Art academically. Balancing full-time studies with motherhood was a challenge, but it remains one of my proudest achievements. I graduated with a BA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths, University.

Throughout my career, I have created both semi-abstract and abstract paintings, often inspired by my time living in Singapore, the tropical weather, and the monsoon season. These experiences deeply influenced my artistic style, as did the coastal environments of Dublin, where I live, and Cornwall, which I frequently visit. The ever-changing weather patterns and vibrant landscapes of these places continue to shape my work and serve as a constant source of inspiration.

My recent exhibitions include The Dark Side at Boomer Gallery, London (2024); the International Women’s Day Exhibition at West End Art Studio, Cork (2024); Tapiial Highlights (2024); the Eunoia Curators E-ME Exhibition (2024); and the 5th Bienal de Arte Barcelona at the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM), Barcelona (2024), curated by Italian art critics Dott. Salvatore Russo and Dott. Francesco Saverio Russo. I also participated in Segnalati – 45 Artists at the New York Art Expo, curated by Dr. Salvatore Russo.

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