Leamington dentist is alternative home to art

Illustrator Claire Henley is the first member of Warwickshire Artists to begin a new series of art displays at the Gallery Dentist in Leicester Street - and the collection, her second solo exhibition, marks an exciting new move in her career.

After graduating with a degree in graphic design from a London art college, Claire gained her first job at the Sari Fabrics kitchen textiles shop in Leamington, then decided to go freelance and has been illustrating for and writing children’s books and creating designs for greetings cards and gift wrap ever since.

She said: “Painting on a large-scale canvas is very different - I have to use a bigger paintbrush, for one!

“It’s also nice to not have a client and have the freedom to choose the subject matter.”

The 49-year-old, who also teaches and visits schools and libraries to talk about book-making, has chosen to depict places she likes in this new collection of paintings.

She said: “I felt like trying some different techniques and working on a larger scale. It’s really nice to have something really big at the end.

“When you have been in the business for a number of years, you want to explore different avenues.”

Claire’s work will be on display at the Gallery Dentist until the end of November and all works are for sale. The pracice is open from Monday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and on Fridays from 9am to 1pm.