| 11/21/2008 |
| Artist's work runs the gamut from cake decoration to stained-glass |
| By Colleen Redmond , Staff Writer |
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Clarke has seen her share of personal struggles, including surgery on both of her shoulders, a neck fusion surgery, and the loss of her beloved brother, Frank. Through it all, she said that her art has been a source of comfort, as well as a creative outlet. Clarke has worked in a variety of artistic arenas, including floral design, cake decoration, stained glass, painting, and more, most of it self-taught. "Maybe from the lowest point in my life, it was an escape I guess, at first," she said. "But, I have always had joy in creating, and this is something that everyone seems to appreciate. When you have your heart and soul in something, rather than looking for financial gain, things seem to have a better outcome." Clarke, a Wallingford resident, said that art is something that has always been in her life, because her brother was a gifted commercial artist and book illustrator. Clarke still has many of his original works, from striking lithographs to intricate life size drawings done in pencil. What started as simply wanting a special window panel in her home helped Clarke to find her own niche in the art world. "I was motivated by something I wanted, so I had to learn how to do it myself. I did wedding cakes before that," she said. "I like making people happy, I like pretty things." Clarke has several art projects in the region, including a wall mural she is currently working on at the Playground, a doggie day-care facility in Wallingford. Clarke volunteered her time to paint the garden themed mural after the owner told Clarke that she wanted to dedicate the room, to children with autism. "On one wall, we will do the handprints of the children," she said. "I like to do things to make people feel special, like they have the only one." Clarke said that at a time when she was going through tremendous difficulty, she found solace in learning new techniques, right in her own home. "I saw someone on TV, and I said I can do that, and I just started drawing on my walls. I started sponge painting, that was the easiest." Clarke has kept many of the pieces she has created through the years, and her home is a reflection of her talents, one of which includes tiling. Faux stonewalls, a vine of delicate rosebuds, and beautiful stained-glass windows are on display everywhere. Another thing Clarke taught herself was how to install tile on a professional level, and has put in tile as well as slate flooring throughout her home, by herself. But it is painting which Clarke truly loves, especially flowers, lush tropics, and outdoor scenes. "The murals come from Donna Dewberry on TV, the first thing I did was a vine," she said. "Because I was a floral designer, a lot of my stuff is flowers." "I did a restaurant in Hartford, The Roti House. They wanted a map of Guyana, and a wall of tropical plants, a waterfall and a birdbath, and trees. Currently I am working with a woman in Rocky Hill, she has a couple of mirrors she needs painted, and I am doing the mural at the Playground." "I volunteered because I thought it was a good idea, a good opportunity." Clarke said that she would customize the work to whatever it is the customer is looking for. "I like a challenge," said Clarke. "I like unique things." For more information on Clarke and her work, call 203-284-1282, or visit the Web site at www.cupcakecreationsllc.com. |
