Today I visited Claudia’s studio in Corvallis. I was returning her “rock.” The Sherwoods bought the Salem house once owned by Claudia’s parents, and in the garden they found this rock. Neil knew Claudia was a well known artist and asked me if I knew her, which I luckily do. The rock appeared on our front porch last week in a bag and today it continued to Corvallis. Claudia was about 9 when the rock was carved–about 11 when the family moved away. She has no memory of carving the rock but instantly identified it as her own “work.” So it remains a mystery, but will find a spot in a Corvallis garden while she checks with Mom and sister for insights into the origin.
With the rock formalities out of the way, we went to the studio…
The work of the last 20 years has been lively: meticulously painted gouaches, narratives, stories of the most inventive sort. In response to current “life developments” Claudia is diving toward the “basic elements” of her painting. She’s seeking to eliminate excess baggage, eliminate the narrative, seek the beauty of the paint itself applied in this case in a series of layers of colored washes:
Where she has often worked small, she’s working big. Where the work was filled with figures and objects, she’s emptying it out.
Claduia in the studio explaining the framing:
On The Way 
Thanks for the nod – and the pictures! The panels are called SIPS – structural insulate panel systems. It is a great way to build, and insulates like mad. Combine this with a few other tricks, and this house can be a real energy Ferrari. Go Dale!
I hope you get back to see the finished project – looks already like a pretty nice little building. And as mother-in-law housing, it qualifies for what the Canadians call “Laneway” housing – additional density by building in the alley.
Go Dale – again.
this is great…the story of a girl who carved a rock and then became an artist. i dont know her work and now want to see more.
thank you.