ARTIST PROFILE

Claire Needham MA UKCPS

Scottish born, Fife-based artist, Claire Needham's work is based on a love of drawing and passion for portraiture. Her artistic influences are artists such as Lucien Freud and Paula Rego, admiring how they capture a narrative through their depiction of the human form.

Claire graduated in 2005 with an MA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art from The University of Edinburgh. A combined degree with the Edinburgh College of Art, specialising in Drawing and Painting.

Since 2019, Claire's has specialised in the medium of colour pencils, and gone on to become an award winning artist and Signature Member of the UK Coloured Pencil Society (UKCPS), Her work has been published in International Artist Magazines and books, as well as juried in several high profile exhibitions, including the Scottish Portrait Awards (longlist 2020, 2021, 2022), The RSA Annual Exhibition 2021 and The UKCPS Gala Exhibition 2021 in London.

A selection of Claire's work can be seen in The Spence Gallery in Crieff and Cutting Corners Print and Picture Framing Studio in Dunfermline. Prints and Artisan Giftware are available to purchase at each venue and online.

Portfolio

Commissions

Exhibitions:

Stop and Search, Longlist Exhibition, Scottish Portrait Awards 2020.
Max, UKCPS Annual Exhibition 2020.
Spidergirl, UKCPS Inside the Lines 4 2020.
Max, 195th Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) Annual Exhibition 2021.
In My Bubble, UKCPS Gala Exhibition 2021, OXO Tower, South Bank, London.
Swift Comprehension, UKCPS Inside the Lines 5 2021.
Swift Comprehension, Longlist Exhibition, Scottish Portrait Awards 2021.
Sleep Study, UKCPS Annual Exhibition 2022.
Personal Space, Longlist Exhibition, Scottish Portrait Awards 2022.
Emotional Spectrum, UKCPS Inside the Lines 6 2022, Awarded 'Reserve Best in Show'.

Publications:

Max, Ann Kullberg's Color Magazine, July 2020.
Spidergirl, CP Treasures Volume 7: Colored Pencil Masterworks from Around the Globe, paperback, 2020
Mother on the Edge, UKCPS Feature, Ann Kullberg's Color Magazine, December 2020.
Swift Comprehension, Showcase Feature, Ann Kullberg's Color Magazine, December 2021.
Swift Comprehension, CP Treasures Volume 8: Colored Pencil Masterworks from Around the Globe, paperback, 2022.