Connecticut native Yvonne Claveloux discusses how her travels have influenced her work, the ways in which she’s building upon the legacy of modernist artists, and why the world needs a little bit of color right now.
“I am only a painter; I don’t do any other mediums. I began painting accidently. I worked for a design magazine and was an interior designer for many years. I started painting—playing around and having fun—and my practice grew organically from there. I had paintings hanging in my home, and my friends began to ask for commissions. Soon, painting consumed me.
I live in Connecticut, but I also spend half the year in Miami. I grew up traveling around with my parents and it inspired my creativity. For example, in college, I majored in international business. As a part of this degree, I spent a semester in Italy studying fashion design. I also look back at the work of modern artists like Helen Frankenthaler, Elaine de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock, and I can’t help but learn from the foundation that they laid down. When I was a kid, my parents didn’t like modern art, so I was introduced to more classical works. I try to synthesize everything that I’ve been exposed to and create my own style.
I experiment with color and form, and I’m drawn to abstract art. I love infusing colorful, bold art into spaces because it makes for an exciting contrast between neutral palettes and pops of energy. When I’m sitting down to make a piece, I visualize the room that I would ideally place it in. I do also make art that is more monochrome, but I am more excited when painting colorful works. I play with making messy art, with drips and shapes. I have fun with the process. It’s just happy, modern, and fresh. I think I’m a combination of a boxwood tree and a palm tree—my Connecticut roots with my Miami beachy vibes. That summarizes my aesthetic very well. I think with everything that’s going on in the world, everyone needs a little color in their lives.”
