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Claire Lucas - Founder of LESA
As a child, I was lucky enough to be encouraged to paint and draw at home and my parents were always really enthusiastic about what I produced! So art for me was a joy! However, when I went to art school - like many others before and since - I took quite a battering. The trouble is, art is so subjective, and you will always find people who will have a negative opinion about the work that you create....and obviously in a higher education art school situation there is no avoiding it! I have found it really hard to bounce back from the criticism and negative feedback I got at college...and have found that many participants on my classes were knocked back even earlier in life, and are only now - often in their middle age - feeling brave enough to give art a go again. At 55 I am finally feeling free to be the artist I want to be....and to support others to do the same.
I have been teaching art and crafts in community venues, schools and colleges for over 30 years. I have been involved in several Arts for Health projects, ran the Fine Art Textiles Foundation Degree course at Cornwall College, and helped set up an Outreach project, in collaboration with Cornwall College's Community Education department, teaching art in community venues to vulnerable groups.
Over those years I found textiles to be the most accessible art form for people who were unsure of their creative ability. There’s something wonderfully familiar and playful about working with fibres and fabrics. Due to demand, though, 11 years ago, I began to teach painting and drawing instead, which I have found really fulfilling and exciting....I started working specifically with "beginners"....I love witnessing the emergence of a raw natural talent in someone who felt convinced they didn't have an artistic bone in their body!! Many of my "beginners" have now become very competent, some of them are already selling their paintings....but they still come to the studio to build their skills further and enjoy the social interactions!
Most classes are run from my studio at Raftra (TR19 6JZ), 5 minutes drive from St Buryan & Sennen, 20 minutes from Penzance.
I am happy to work with all levels of experience. Groups are kept small in order that I have time to give individual attention to students.
Alongside teaching art, I am a practicing artist and lifecoach, and -with my partner, Toby, run a small holiday let business too.
My artwork can be seen at West Cornwall Seascapes
“Claire is an inspiring teacher......she really helped me find my inner artist; my voice...She’s a joy to be around!” Sacha
“What I found so surprising was how Claire was able to mentor and guide so many different students at differing places in their artistic development ....she was a strong force offering direction with confidence” Andi
I have been teaching art and crafts in community venues, schools and colleges for over 30 years. I have been involved in several Arts for Health projects, ran the Fine Art Textiles Foundation Degree course at Cornwall College, and helped set up an Outreach project, in collaboration with Cornwall College's Community Education department, teaching art in community venues to vulnerable groups.
Over those years I found textiles to be the most accessible art form for people who were unsure of their creative ability. There’s something wonderfully familiar and playful about working with fibres and fabrics. Due to demand, though, 11 years ago, I began to teach painting and drawing instead, which I have found really fulfilling and exciting....I started working specifically with "beginners"....I love witnessing the emergence of a raw natural talent in someone who felt convinced they didn't have an artistic bone in their body!! Many of my "beginners" have now become very competent, some of them are already selling their paintings....but they still come to the studio to build their skills further and enjoy the social interactions!
Most classes are run from my studio at Raftra (TR19 6JZ), 5 minutes drive from St Buryan & Sennen, 20 minutes from Penzance.
I am happy to work with all levels of experience. Groups are kept small in order that I have time to give individual attention to students.
Alongside teaching art, I am a practicing artist and lifecoach, and -with my partner, Toby, run a small holiday let business too.
My artwork can be seen at West Cornwall Seascapes
“Claire is an inspiring teacher......she really helped me find my inner artist; my voice...She’s a joy to be around!” Sacha
“What I found so surprising was how Claire was able to mentor and guide so many different students at differing places in their artistic development ....she was a strong force offering direction with confidence” Andi
