Clare Mason is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Penzance, Cornwall.
Through delicate jewellery, paintings and photography, Clare showcases her absolute attention to colour and light in an interweaving of disciplines that, though separate in their creation and final form, act as a single exploration of craft and creativity.
“My work is the capturing of a witnessed moment. In jewellery and paintings, you are taking a piece of Cornwall home with you, preserving those memories; the colours, the textures, the light.”
Clare’s work is a preservation of the surrounding Cornish seascape, the colours, light, forms, and energy witnessed and translated into her different mediums of work. Her paintings often incorporate residual silver and gold dust from the jewellery bench, as a meeting of her crafts.
Original artworks by Clare Mason
“I act to capture the gemlike quality of the sea — the momentary gem-like flash of light as a wave crashes onto the shore.”
In deep blues and gentle sand-tones, Clare’s artwork acts to preserve a single moment of witnessing the sea, translating the energy and intensity of Cornwall’s surrounding seascape into paint.
HANDMADE ETHICAL JEWELLERY
Wearable art in the form of elegant jewellery. Each piece is designed and handmade in its entirety by Clare Mason in Penzance, Cornwall
Clare Mason’s jewellery celebrates precious stones (multi-coloured sapphires and diamonds) and semi-precious-stones (Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls) which act to highlight the colours of the surrounding seascape, and capture or reflect the light when they are in wear.
Paired with sterling & argentium silver, and 9ct & 18ct gold, the jewellery evolves from being another daily accessory to being a wearable piece of art.
AS SEEN IN ELLA ENCHANTED
A tiara, necklace and earrings fit for a princess
In the Summer of 2003, Clare was approached at her stall in Camden Market by the costume designer Ruth Myers on behalf of Miramax Movies, declaring one of her Tiaras was exactly what she was looking for to be adorning Block Buster movie star Anne Hathaways’ head in the up and coming movie Ella Enchanted. Clare also made necklace and earrings for Anne Hathaway as well as tiaras for two other main characters in the movie, making her signature statement on the big screen. View more images here.
“Each piece is a direct result of allowing divine energy to flow through me in the moment rather than a specifically thought out process. I never draw designs first, instead they evolve minute by minute on the workbench in the same way a wave rolls along the beach — seemingly random but perfectly synchronised. Of course there has to be a certain amount of discipline, but my work evolves naturally moment by moment rather than from a calculated method. This practice allows me to tune into synchronicity — the happy accidents that happen when I’m making jewellery, the movement captured in painting. Every wave is synonymous with time; no two waves are ever exactly the same, but are unique in form. This consistent irregularity — an oxymoron — is an immaculate dance not unlike the Fibonacci sequence. I believe my designs replicate this perpetual uniqueness, because every piece is made in its entirety by one pair of hands.
I am glorifying God’s creation through my work. The sea, the sky, the air, the atmosphere and nature. I feel I am representing that natural beauty, preserving it. It is a process of joy, of seeing The Holy Spirit guide through me, my hands, into my work. I’m in genuine and constant awe of god’s mastery through nature, His divine creation. I believe He is the master artist, scientist and creator”
— Clare Mason, 2023
VISIT THE CLARE MASON GALLERY ON CHAPEL STREET, PENZANCE
Clare Mason’s studio, a beautiful gallery on Penzance’s historic Chapel Street, is a showcase of her available works — find the gallery here.
Click here for currently available artworks / and here for jewellery.
If you would like to discuss a special commission piece, or have any questions, please get in touch. You can view Clare’s portfolio of works here.