Spotted Ponies on Coffee Bean Brown

The "Leopard Appaloosa" is a very distinct horse with mottled or brindled spots, often covering the entire body of the animal. This family of Spotted Leopard Appaloosa ponies is contrasted on a rich coffee bean brown......with a flushing fuchsia foal in the middle!

Spotted Ponies on Coffee Bean Brown is a 30x30 canvas painting.

Artist Rachel Bingaman

Recently I found an artist by accident and wanted to feature her art because it's just fantastic!   

Artist Rachel Bingaman's surreal landscapes with intricate brushstrokes....drew me in with her glorious colors and contemporary minimalist look.  Using oils, she paints monolithic trees and expansive skies that are both enchanting yet haunting.  

Bingaman is local to Washington DC and represented by galleries in Virginia, Texas, and Maine. Her work was also featured on the set of NBC's "Save Me".  She has won numerous art awards and garnered international collectors.

Bingaman's breathtaking art can be seen on her Etsy Shop and Artist Blog. 

Clara's Art..........on Wooden Art Blocks!

I am now offering my giclee canvas art prints mounted on wood blocks.  Currently available in miniature 4"x6" or 4"x4" sizes....they are super cute.....especially when displayed in a small group!   

PERFECT for the holidays....collect one or a series!

Giclee Canvas Art Blocks.......with natural pine edges.

Giclee Canvas Art Blocks.......with black paint edges.

No framing required.......blocks are personally signed (by me!) and come ready to hang.  

Clara's Art.......on Suede, Satin, and Silk Fabrics!

I have been selected by Hot Boltz Inc. to have my artwork printed on some of the latest and newest fabrics on the market including; micro & heavy suede, poly silk, satin, upholstery fabric, felt, and outdoor polyester fabrics.   

These materials can be used for tablecloths, table runners, outdoor floor mats, wall tapestry, pillows, shower curtains, on furniture......the possibilities are endless!

Artwork printed on suede fabric and poly silk......from Hot Boltz, Inc. 

Hot Boltz, Inc was recently featured in the Baltimore Sun. 
Check out some samples of designs and materials being used......

Big Sky Bison on Desert Turquoise

My latest painting is a classic Western icon....the American Bison herd on the horizon......under a big desert turquoise blue sky.

Petroglyph drawings in the ground.....symbolizes ancient messages, spiritual connection, and cultural significance between man and animal.

Big Sky Bison, Details

Big Sky Bison on Desert Turquoise is on a jumbo 24 x 48 canvas.  

Clara's Art.....now on Fashion Bags!!

I'm thrilled to be rolling out a select few of my artwork on fabulous fashion bags!  They include:

Camera Bags, Messenger Bags, Cross Body Bags, Laptop Sleeves, Passport Cases, and Cell Phone Cases.   

Clara Nilles Camera Bags

These bags are beautiful, fun, versatile, and PERFECT for the holidays! 

Clara Nilles Laptop Sleeves

They will be available starting late September 2013 thru Janine King Designs.

Clara Nilles Cross Body Bags

Clara Nilles Messenger Bags

Jelly Bean Giraffes on Pineapple Cross Body Bags

Clara's Art.......now on Woven Room Rugs!

My artwork is now available on Woven Room Rugs!  Currently available only thru Deny Designs, these woven rugs are a sturdy polyester jacquard fabric and right now only in sizes 2x3 and 4x6  (larger sizes will be coming!)......check em out!!

Lemon Spongecake Sheep on Merlot Woven Room Rug

Clara's Art.....on Better Homes & Garden!

My art products now being sold on Better Homes & Garden's online shop.....check em out!

Artist Hiatus.....

I've been spending the summer on an artist hiatus in New Mexico....exploring, getting reference photos, and ideas for new paintings.

Thought I'd share some images from locations (many off the beaten path) in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, & western New Mexico. There's so much natural beauty, wildlife, history and culture in this amazing area...

Ancient Zuni Indian Pueblo
El Morro National Monument, Ramah, New Mexico

Sandstone Mesa
El Morro National Monument, Ramah, New Mexico

Bed of volcanic ash and new growth
El Calderon, Grants, New Mexico

Sandia Mountain at sunset
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque at night
Sandia Peak Tramway

Sunset paints the mountains blood red
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Surreal sandstone rock formations
El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico

La Ventana..... the largest natural arch in New Mexico

Tiny oasis in the desert... a Vernal pond explodes with temporary life after the rains,

including tadpoles,  daphnia shrimp, insects, and birds....then within days they may completely dry up.

Pygmy Pinon pine.....tree growth stunted by harsh desert environments
Grants, New Mexico

Gaping cracks in a volcanic lava bed.....some 20 feet deep!
Thousands of yrs ago western New Mexico was a big volcano (that explains the hot weather)!

Ropy Pahoehoe is the name of lava with a thick ropy texture...common in lava fields.
El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico

El Santuario de Chimayó
A religious Spanish Catholic Holy Pilgrimage village near Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ancient Petroglyphs
Petroglyph National Monument, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ancient Petroglyphs near Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ancient Petroglyphs near Albuquerque, New Mexico

The foothills of Sandia Mountain

Recent rains cause cacti to bloom
Sandia Mountain

Spectacular views of entire city of Albuquerque from Sandia Foothills 

HooDoo volcanic rock formations
Tent Rocks, New Mexico

Deep arroyos carved from wind & water
Slot Canyon, New Mexico

HooDoo volcanic rock formations
Tent Rocks, New Mexico

The Road Runner is a large bird.... over 12" tall
This fellow was curious & tame....allowing me to come close.

Recent rains turns the desert into golf turf green.
Socorro, New Mexico

Gigantic radio telescopes (Very Large Array)
Magdalena, New Mexico

Approaching storm at the Very Large Array
Magdalena, New Mexico

Desert Jack Rabbit......this buck was very tame allowing me to approach close!

Gotcha!

The slow moving chameleon is a wizard at changing colors......but lightning fast with his spring-loaded sticky tongue.  This sapphire blue chameleon is about to make a meal of an unlucky grasshopper!

Details of Chameleon

Gotcha! is an asymmetric diptych...two piece painting on separate canvases....12x24 and 12x12.  

Earth Art Studio, Sister Bay, Wisconsin

I'm excited to be represented at Earth Art Studio, a fine craft/art boutique way North in Sister Bay, Wisconsin.  Sister Bay in Door County is a renowned recreational area with year round boating, fishing, shopping, and a vibrant art community.  

Clara's Art.......on Custom Checks!

My artwork is now on custom personal checks, checkbooks covers, and address labels.   They are available thru Check Advantage Artist's Collection in four fabulous animal series! 

 African Safari - Iconic animals of Africa!
 Sea Life - Variety of cool animals from the sea!
Paint Ponies - For Pony lovers only! 
Owls - My trademark crazy colored owls!

Order yourself a set or two!!

Nappy Capybaras on Mulberry

Capybaras, the world's largest rodent from South America, are social animals with funky alien feet, stiff fur, and black slanty eyes!  They gather in small groups to eat, groom, and nap together....like this vibrant neon family.

Nappy Capybaras on Mulberry on 24x24 gallery wrap canvas....available at The Green Phoenix in Annapolis, MD.

Family Fish Night!

This colorful otter family was based on some real life otters I saw at the Washington Zoo, several yrs ago.   They were total beggars......squeeking at me for handouts!   So I painted them with an ample supply of fish!

Family Fish Night......is an 18x36 gallery wrap canvas.