Clae Eastgate is a British artist known for her portraits, particularly those of contemporary poets, including the former Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, the former National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke and former Scots Makar (Scottish Poet Laureate) Jackie Kay.
Two of these portraits were recently purchased for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection of contemporary portraiture. She has also painted the Queen (commissioned by the Kennel Club in 2013) and is currently working on a portrait of Dame Jane Goodall, the renowned ethologist.
Clae lives and works in the UK between Shropshire (her base) and London. She also teaches portrait and still life classes, and has taught at art schools on BA Fine Art courses (Contemporary Portraiture BA Hons), Foundation Art and the Diploma in Fine Art. She has regular workshops both online and from her London studio, and runs mentoring programmes for students.
Clae is a frequent visitor to the Algarve and, in particular, Lagos. Over the last few years, she has gradually fallen for the Algarve way of life and has made it her focus to spend more time here and eventually move here full-time.
This autumn, Clae is looking at running a selection of still life and portrait workshops in Lagos and will be collecting numbers of those interested in attending.
“I love this area of the Algarve and I am looking to spend much more time here. I’d really like to find out what the interest is for people wishing to learn to paint and wanting a regular workshop to go to. The workshops will be relaxed and fun – a place to forget about everything but the paint, canvas, and good company! They will be ideally suited to those with little or no experience who want to have a go, begin a new hobby or even take it to a more advanced level.”
Clae is looking to run the workshops this September, so if you’d like to find the painter in you, please register your interest here mail@clae.uk or visit www.clae.uk and follow the Algarve link. Let’s get Lagos painting!
