There are certain artists whose work is so striking that once you’ve seen it, it will be immediately recognizable when you happen upon it again.  Clare Elsaesser is just such an artist.  I first saw her work a few years ago while reading the blog of interior designer Erika Powell, principal at Urban Grace Interiors.  Not only does Erika have great taste in furnishings and shoes ( her boot collection is amazing! ), she also has a great eye for artwork, which she incorporates beautifully into her designs.

I then happened upon Clare’s work on the Papernstitch handmade exhibition site, started following her blog and the rest, as they say, is history.  I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to feature her on Artsy Forager, but as I’m usually fashionably late anyhow, here we go!

Clare works in acrylics, painting on either wood panels or heavy watercolor paper for her “sewn” work.  Many of the pieces in her Etsy shop are originals or prints with a single-line, hand-stitched “frame” around the perimeter.  The stitching adds an intriguing textural element to the work and ties in with the fabrics so often featured.

 These little paintings are at once charming and innocently provocative.  The simplicity of line and form, coupled with the capturing of a private moment are reminiscent of the drypoints and aquatints of Mary Cassatt.

The white sheets and pillows glow against the dark neutral backgrounds, like the moon glowing in the night sky.  Or the translucent light in the blue sky of day.

Whether night or day, Clare’s work makes me long to lounge in a tangle of sheets and pillows, reading a good book or daydreaming myself into a glorious nap.  Grab a pillow and spend some time peeking around Clare Elsaesser’s Etsy shop, Tastes Orangey or stop by her blog to say hi and see her latest art, fashion and music recommendations.