About
Artist Statement
I seek to understand complex ideals in our lifetimes. As we explore this gigantic story we call life, I find I am a storyteller, a creative, a maker. I have a natural zest for love and ideas. When people see my work, I’d like them to think about their own life, love, and dreams.
Unboxing Claude
Like many artists, I didn’t really have a time that I “started” art. I just never stopped. As a sickly kid, I had to find something to do, and when I saw Bob Ross, I felt a calling to touch people’s hearts with art. It would take me ten more years to realize that this particular destiny should perhaps probably not be on TV.
My mom, a graphic designer by trade, brought home a lot of the type books from times before type was digitized, and scraps from orders using specialty paper. I often watched her work with early Photoshop and Illustrator (and sometimes dabbled in it myself). And with the proper equipment, any project my little heart desired, such as an illustrated reader, could be produced professionally. I did my first “commission” at maybe age 10.
In my junior and senior year of high school, I attended the Capital Area Career Center (now known as the Wilson Talent Center) for New Media. It was a shoe-in fit from the get-go. From there, I attended Lansing Community College, eventually earning an Associates degree in Graphic Communication. During my time there, I created the Young Creatives Guide 2015/2016 for my internship at the Greater Lansing Arts Council.
A couple of times, I tried with an entrepreneurial spirit to create businesses. My first endeavor was with my now-husband under the title Inky Sweets Art Shoppe, and we debuted anime-style poster, bookmark, and postcard prints at local anime conventions and beyond.
In late 2015, I landed what I thought would be the job of my dreams with the BIGGBY COFFEE Home Office. Sure, it wasn’t graphic design, but I was lucky enough to have an in to create some of our beloved Annual Franchise Meeting merch.
After leaving BIGGBY, I took a break and gave myself some time to start a new brand – ClauDesigns. I attended Davenport University and earned a Bachelors in Marketing. During my time there, I earned an Excellence in Civic and Social Responsibility Certification award. Once I began my new, more personalized brand, I displayed at MICA, the Greater Lansing Arts Council and a local show called the Artist’s Umbrella. I also sold my work with several independent shows.
Now, I have stepped back from purchasing growing items for my business. I still create art and designs, but now they are for fun rather than for enterprise.
Right now, I work at Vertafore as a Customer Support Analyst II. While customer service and SQL wasn’t my first career choice, I feel comfortable where I am and have been privileged with many opportunities. I currently serve on the DEI Council and run the Employee Resource Group Able@Vertafore, for people with disabilities and their allies.
I look forward to learning more about art and design, and of course creating more! Can I create something for you? Let me know what you’re thinking and we can definitely work something out.