We recently connected with Clara Berta and have shared our conversation below.
Clara, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I keep my creativity alive through meditation, nature, swimming, exercise, and writing. These forms of self-care nourish my mind and body while promoting my creativity at the same time.
The act of creating my art has also become a healing force in my life. My paintings allow me to harness my emotions and direct them onto the canvas. I pour my passion for my late fiance, my life, and my life’s purpose into my paintings.
How did you develop your ability to take risk?
Maybe the risk-taker in me ties in with my Hungarian heritage. My mentor describes me as “gutsy.”
I take risks with art sometimes to get out of my comfort zone. One example of this is when I decided to work on a collaborative piece with a graffiti artist for the first time to create Dreamy Mind. Although we had different art styles, working together went smoothly, and our artwork turned out beautifully.
Where does your generosity come from?
It comes naturally. I love mentoring students, artists, and working artists. It’s rewarding, and I feel great joy giving back to the community.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am Clara Berta, a Hungarian-American contemporary abstract painter based in Palm Springs, California. I came to this country when I was 11 years old. Those early years in school were tough as students were not very accepting of me as a foreigner. They made fun of me because I dressed differently and spoke English poorly.
I studied advanced composition and technique at the Santa Reparata School of Art in Florence, Italy, and printmaking in the US. My paintings have been exhibited and collected worldwide, including in Europe, China, Dubai, and notably at the Chiba City Museum of Art in Japan. Also, my work has been featured in high-profile film and television productions on prominent networks such as Disney, 20th Century Fox, ABC, and CBS.
I have been practicing art since 2000 and have become known for my large-scale paintings that embody the vibrancy and tranquility of the natural world through my use of organic forms and layering of colors.
The dynamic movement and restorative potential of water are an enduring source of inspiration for me. I feel that water draws a connection between my heritage in Hungary, where thermal springs are known for their healing properties, and the power and majesty of the ocean that my works conjure.
My academic background is in psychology and plays a role in my fascination with the human emotional response to color and abstract forms. In my work, I recognize the transformative power of art and its potential for self-expression. These are the central themes of my teachings in my creative workshops for women. The physical process of creating my large paintings also ties in with my interest in movement and the body and traces a lineage to my earlier exploration of performance art.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Tenacity, patience, and empowering women on their artist journey have been most impactful in my own journey.
Art has been very healing in my life and this is why I love teaching. I want other women to find the healing that I found through my creative work.
My Advice:
It’s very important to connect with other artists, so that you can work and be supportive to each another.
Find a mentor to guide you through your career.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
As a caregiver to my late fiancé, I was creating art to release my emotions. I continue to do that today as I am going through the grieving process. My work is filled with my energy, emotions, and sometimes tears.
I take one day at a time, surround myself with good friends, meditate, and write.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://claraberta.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarabertaart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaraBertaArt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claraberta/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/clarabertaart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clarabertaart
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/clara-berta-studio-palm-springs-2?osq=clara+berta+studio
Image Credits
Nino Mitchell Rick Mendoza Eugenia Gul Darren Johnson
