We had the good fortune of connecting with Clare Metague and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Clare, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m a native San Franciscan, born and raised in the Mission District. While my parents were together I did live briefly in Chicago and Manhattan. My earliest memories are from my time on Thompson Street (then Greenwich Village) where I attended Kindergarten nearby at PS41. At 23, I moved into my current home on Potrero Hill (residential neighborhood South of Market) in San Francisco.

My mother is an immigrant from Nicaragua and my father is a 2nd generation American of German descent. My father’s was a creative director at BBD&O (a well respected ad agency) . He also exhibited his photography and paintings in local galleries in the Bay Area. My mother was a self employed seamstress and worked at home. For a period they were both creating at home. I grew up surrounded by paintings in progress, beautiful fabrics and patterns. My sister, a very talented illustrator (5 years older), was into many leisure crafts of the 60/70’s; candle making, macrame, sewing and dye dying projects were often a focus.

Above is my early exposure to the arts. Needlesstosay, I’m a fish out of water when I find myself outside a creative environment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The art I create (co-create:) is representational and contemporary in style. My career background is in the graphic arts and while raising my small children, I began the transition into the fine arts. I took numerous courses in printmaking, figurative drawing and painting while my kids were growing up. In 2016, I rented a studio at the Hunter’s Point Shipyard in San Francisco (largest art colony in America) and began creating full time. I am also a member of Graphic Arts Workshop, a fine art printing co-op near where I live.

Similar with many artists, my work reflects what’s happening in my life. Am I shocked by the devastating changes (bleaching) I see increasing annually while swimming and snorkeling in the off shore waters of Hawaii, am I amazed and excited experiencing first hand the ability of vibration and frequencies to heal us on a cellular level, am I carving out time needed to exam who I am and what non-material legacy I want to leave. I share visually observations that are important to me and in most cases these observations appear to resonate with many.

Distilling a work to get as close to it’s essence as possible is a goal I often strive for. Creating imagery that is simple yet interesting and beautiful is not easy. It is a challenge I look forward to.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many cool things to do in San Francisco and Northern California. So I would cater to my friends preferences. One example: Day 1: Start at Ferry Building on a Saturday, walk up the Filbert Steps to Coit Tower then down Grant Avenue (in North Beach) into Chinatown. Favorite Dim Sum (there’s lots) but I would choose City View and/or China Live (tea, drinks and desserts are amazing there), Day 2 would a morning beach walk at Fort Funston – then Tea at the Japanese Tea Garden followed by a stop in at the deYoung Museum (exhibits are often exceptional). Day 4-5 would be Napa Valley with an overnight (and treatments) at Sonoma Mission Inn. Napa Valley reminds me of Tuscany (where I attended art school for a semester). There’s tons of amazing dining options to choose from in Napa Valley. Mustards holds sentimental value for me. So I would go there. Day 6: Then there’s Muir Woods with a lunch or dinner stop at the Buckeye. Day 7 would be Japantown (Kunikuyo book store a must) with a visit to Kabuki Hot Springs. Dinners at Zuni’s, Rintaro or Kokkari would be wonderful. Breakfast at Plow is a must!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the mother. I was very blessed to have in my life.. Her undying support, the example she exhibited during traumatic life events and her unconditional love has had a profound affect on how I walk through my life.

Website: www.claremetague.com

Instagram: @claremeta

Image Credits
all images copyrighted by Clare Metague

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