Interior Design tutor Claire Arnott moves her art to a gallery
21 February 2025
Claire Arnott, an Interior Design BA(Hons) (Online) tutor, has taken her love for creating art into the business space by having her art available to purchase at Barewall Art Gallery. Focusing on bold depictions of nature, Claire has grown her artistic side-business to appeal to art collectors and buyers, while also tutoring for Falmouth.
We caught up with Claire to see how she balances her days as an Interior Design lecturer with her free time as an artist, and how the two interweave.
When did you first discover your love for art – both physical art and the art of interior design?
The first painting I ever sold was when I was 22; it was a commission for an abstract painting, and I remember being very proud of it. Yet, for the longest time, I never considered myself good enough to become a professional artist. Until now that is, aging is good for your art.
In terms of interior design, my gap year turned into four years of traveling, and in that time, I kept sketchbooks and journals to capture my thoughts on interior design, observing how people moved and engaged in their environments. I worked on cruise liners, fascinated by the diverse cultural architecture versus my luxury cruise ship home.
Choosing to pursue interior design was a clear path that combined my fascination of interiors with my creativity and art skills.
Your work is often floral, and your use of colour is frequently bright and bold. What is it that you hope to convey with your art?
The great floral artist, Georgia O’Keefe, said: “I can say things with shape and colour I can’t say any other way”. I love bold patterns and bright colours - they represent the vibrancy and energy of nature. They capture the feeling of being alive, of sunshine on your face, wind in your hair.
You recently moved your work from Etsy to Barewall Art Gallery. Can you tell us more about how your art went from a hobby to a business?
Sometimes these things evolve themselves, and over the last eight years I’ve taken classes and followed successful online artists. I’ve had to be patient with finding my style, colour palette, narratives and confidence in my work. Whilst this developed, I’ve been able to value my work, charge it’s worth, and sell through fine art retailers who might appeal to more serious collectors or art buyers. It’s all exploration.
You are a tutor for our Interior Design BA (Online) course. In what ways does your art practise help to inform your Interior Design teaching?
Interior design is technical in lots of ways, and having an immersive, playful outlet helps to keep my creativity alive, which is important when teaching the next generation of designers. It’s also a therapeutic process, offering respite and renewal from teaching which is a profession that needs you to be energised and resourced.
In terms of the subject area, my love of nature aligns with Biophilic interior design. This type of design is the discipline of replicating elements of nature throughout interiors to make them human-centred. It enhances wellbeing, productivity, and physical and mental health. It really has the same intentions I uphold when making art.
Can you tell us more about any future projects you are working on?
I’d love to have an exhibition of large paintings that push the boundaries of mixed media floral artworks in terms of their size and mediums. I’m also in conversation with an agent for surface pattern contracts for interior design products - this would be a beautiful fusion of my two worlds. It’s an exciting time with lots of potential, but like nature, I’m trying to go with the flow and let it all evolve and grow organically.
Opportunities like this - to talk about art, nature and interiors - are lovely and valuable in an age where things are ever busier and more digital.
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