Meet this month's feature artist, Claire B Cusack

I am an Australian artist who loves painting emotive portraiture and intricate wildlife and I have a love for birds. I am often found in my home studio in Canberra working with either my oil paints or soft pastels. My work includes original oil paintings, charcoal and soft pastel drawings. I also produce fine art prints and homewares including wall decals, tea towels, stickers and keyrings.

Tell us a little bit about your work

I am inspired by the world around me, capturing moments of life and the people I know through painting. My process begins with photography, where I compose each image with intention. From there, I sketch my ideas, refining composition and form before bringing them to life in oil paint. My goal is not just to depict a likeness but to reveal the essence of my subjects—their presence, energy, and spirit. Whether in quiet contemplation or animated expression, I strive to paint people as they truly are, with authenticity and depth. Light, colour, and brushwork all play a role in conveying emotion and connection, making each portrait a window into the subject’s world. Through my work, I hope to document not just faces, but the stories and relationships that shape us, preserving fleeting moments in paint.

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