Bozeman Magazine

At the final summer Art Walk in September, Altitude Gallery will be showing pen and ink illustrations by Bozeman artist Claire Kleese. Reminiscent of Japanese wood blocks and Scandinavian folk art, Claire’s work is at once starkly minimalist and exuberantly detailed. Within a limited color palette, the lovingly executed details of a curling blade of grass, the soft hairs on a fox’s tail, or the delicate lines of a feather draw the viewer into tiny, peaceful worlds in which a riot of detail creates a sense of calm and order. The lack of color only highlights the richly textured and graphic quality of her illustrations, and the occasional pop of rich golden paint provides a luscious counterpoint to otherwise starkly black and white scenes. Claire grew up drawing the strikingly dramatic natural world around her in the Bitterroot Valley, and is still heavily influenced by wilderness and nature. When not drawing, she is in a band and tours the country playing music and exploring new beautiful places. Claire will be doing a live drawing demonstration during the Art Walk from 6-8pm.