Meet Clara Woods

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Clara Woods a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Clara, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Hi, I’m Clara, and I’m a stroke survivor. I have some physical challenges, and I can’t speak, write, or read even if I understand Portuguese, Italian, and English.
I always felt I was the only one in the room who looked like me. Sometimes it is hard and I fell sad, but mostly I learned that I’m unique and I have a value. Creating art helps me to connect with the world in my way and understand that everyone is unique and it is ok to be different.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hey everyone! I’m Clara Woods, an artist and the creator of the Clara Woods Collection. My journey has been pretty unique. When I was in my mom’s womb, I had a stroke, which meant I couldn’t speak, read, or write, but that never stopped me from finding my own way to communicate. I can also understand English, Italian, and Portuguese. I grew up in Italy, and when I was 12, I started painting as a way to express all the things I couldn’t say with words. My art has since become my voice.

A few years ago, we made a big decision to move to California. My mom, Betina, even sold her own business in Italy so we could fully focus on building my art career and growing our mission of inclusion. I was able to get an American visa as an extraordinary talent, which was a huge step for me, and now we’re here making our dreams come true.

Together, my mom and I run the Clara Woods Collection. Along the way, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some amazing brands and people. We’ve built this business from the ground up, and it’s all about more than just art—it’s about sharing the message of inclusion and showing that everyone, no matter their abilities, has something valuable to offer.

Right now, I’m super excited about a few projects I’m working on. I’m finishing up a book featuring my characters, and I’ve got new exhibitions coming soon! Plus, I’m really happy to see the Inclusion Matters Movement growing. One of the highlights is going to Brazil to launch my capsule collection with AlmaCor—I can’t wait!

Thank you for sharing this journey with me. It’s been an incredible ride, and there’s so much more to come!

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?

when I think back on my journey so far, there are three big things that have made a huge impact on where I am today: resilience, positivity, and the power of speaking up, even about the things that hurt.

First, resilience has been super important for me. Growing up after having a stroke and not being able to speak or write was tough, but I never gave up. I kept finding ways to express myself—through my art, through my actions, and through my friendships. If I could give advice to anyone just starting out, I’d say: never give up on yourself. You’re stronger than you think, and even when things get hard, just keep going.

Second, positivity has been my secret weapon. It’s easy to focus on the tough stuff, but I’ve found that keeping a positive mindset can change everything. When you believe that good things are possible, you attract more good things. So my advice? Enjoy the process! It’s not always going to be easy, but staying positive will help you get through the challenges and appreciate the journey.

Lastly, speaking up about things that hurt has been powerful. I’ve learned that when I share my story, even the painful parts, it breaks down barriers. People connect with that honesty, and it helps them feel less alone. My advice here is simple: Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Talking about the tough moments can actually make you stronger and help others in the process.

And remember, always look to the future, but don’t forget the steps you took in the past and how much you’ve grown. That’s what keeps you moving forward. Keep dreaming, keep growing, and most importantly— enjoy every part of the journey!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m looking to collaborate with amazing people and brands! I’m really focused on connecting with brands that fit my lifestyle and can help me grow the Inclusion Matters Movement, as well as my art career. I love working with brands that believe in the same things I do—like inclusion, creativity, and positivity.

One of the things I’m passionate about is sharing my story to help inspire others. I believe that by speaking more about my journey, I can bring light into other people’s lives, especially those who might be going through their own challenges.

If you’re a brand or someone who shares these values and wants to collaborate, I’d love to hear from you! Let’s work together to create something beautiful that makes a difference. You can connect with me through email or social media—let’s make something special happen!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clarawoodscollection.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woods_clara_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarawoodscollection
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-woods-56a5061a5/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clarawoods