Clare Schmehl

Artist Bio

I am a collage/mixed media artist, living and working in San Francisco.  I am inspired by grungy walls, billboard ads, graffiti, text, vintage newpapers, magazines and books.  The vintage papers tell a story about how we used to live and what was expected of us at that time.  Graffiti and billboards are temporary and can really only be witnessed in the moment. I often include the simple beauty of a flower in my work to bring some whimsy and peace to those thoughts. 

   A huge part of my process is layering up paint, paper, and images to get a deeply weathered feeling. Every layer is an opportunity for more texture and surprises. I use the vintage papers I have accumulated along with those I create myself out of discarded wall paint, handmade stencils and stamps.  

       My work is a balance between decisions I make and decisions that are made for me by how the layers and stories evolve on the surface of the piece. There is a push and pull between my own plan and the piece letting me know what to do next. As the layers build, certain themes fade into the background and others come to the surface.