Abstract painting with overlapping shapes in warm tones of orange, yellow, brown, and hints of white, framed with a black border.

My current small painting series explore the intricate relationships between colour and shape. I choose abstraction deliberately to invite the viewer to engage with the pieces in a personal and emotive way. I work intuitively capturing fleeting moments where visual language and emotion align.
I am inspired by the subtle shifts of seasonal change evident in my everyday experience of living close to landscapes shaped over centuries by agricultural practices. The Icknield Way—an ancient trackway in southern England, believed to be one of the oldest roads in Britain, potentially dating back to the Neolithic period—runs just adjacent to my studio, providing a constant source of inspiration.

Artist & Coach

Abstract painting with shades of blue, green, yellow, and brown, featuring curved and overlapping shapes.

Two abstract paintings with bold, curved shapes in red, green, black, white, and beige on a painter's workspace with brushes, paint bottles, and a white cloth splattered with paint.

“The less there is to look at, the more important it is that we look at it closely and carefully. This is critical to abstract art small differences make all the difference.”
Kirk Varnedoe

Just had sneak preview of your extraordinary paintings and I must say I'm blown away by them. Their subtlety and mystery and deep calm is a joy! They have such space and balance in them.
Jim Andersen Linton Art

Abstract painting with swirling shapes and shades of blue, cream, and hints of red and orange.

I am fascinated by how landscapes affect our emotions and use treasures collected from exploring the landscape to inspire my painting choices. The colours and textures are created through processes similar to weathering adding and taking away. The meanings are open ended and allow the viewer to find stillness and time to reflect.

Paintbrushes, a putty knife, and acrylic paint containers on a cluttered table, with paint on the brushes and tools.

Sometimes it feels as if I am engaging in a battle between the materials and myself, while on other occasions it produces the sensation of taking part in a dance.

EARTH TONED PAINTINGS - FORAGED PIGMENTS

Abstract painting with layers of muted purple, blue, green, black, and white, featuring textured brush strokes and irregular shapes.

NEW CLASSES STARTING SEPTEMBER 25 - BOOKINGS OPEN

“Cläre Basel’s artistic practice centres on intuition and the interplay of line, texture, and colour. Her work is characterised by an openness that invites viewers into a joyful and contemplative experience, reflecting a deep engagement with the materials and creative process. This approach also informs her teaching, where she fosters creative curiosity through painting and drawing classes at Cambridge Art Makers”.

Cambridge Art Makers
CB21 4XN

Fitzwilliam Museum, Creative Practitioner

“Museum for Life exploring the intersection of art, health and wellbeing.

“Collaborative, inclusive practice becomes embedded into Museum programming with and for older adults, through collaboration with studio team, creative practitioners and local charities”.