Portraits, paintings and mixed-media works shaped by London life.
Clare McAuley is a London-based fine artist whose work explores people, character, style and atmosphere through portraiture, collage and close observation of everyday life.
Clare McAuley
Fine Artist
Her practice spans portraiture, interiors and textile works, with each piece shaped by careful observation and a sensitivity to character, light and setting.
- Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
- Royal Society of Portrait Painters
- Women in Art Prize
- National Portrait Gallery selection
- Chelsea College of Arts Heatherley School of Fine Art
About Clare
A practice rooted in observation
Clare’s practice moves between portrait commissions, people-watching, street-based studies and mixed-media experimentation. Her work is often shaped by what she notices in passing, a face, a gesture, a hat, a posture, a conversation, a mood, or the strange theatre of ordinary life.
London runs through the work, from Soho and Shepherd’s Bush to Chiswick, Askew Road and the city’s public spaces, characters and encounters.
Featured work
Askew Road, 30ft textile installation
As part of the Askew Road festival, Clare created a large-scale textile installation capturing the character and identity of Askew Road. The work was displayed at the Askew Gallery at CP Architects and reflects her interest in people, place and community.
Portfolio highlights
Selected works
A selection of paintings, portraits, collage and mixed-media works shaped by London life, people-watching and close observation.
A characterful portrait of a Philip Sallon in a dark hat. The work has an intimate, observational quality, with warm flesh tones and a softly handled background that keeps the focus on expression and presence.
Philip Sallon in a black hat
A figurative painting of an older man in profile, set against a landscape-like background. The composition has a quiet narrative quality, balancing the solidity of the figure with looser surrounding shapes and colour.
Man in cap
A portrait of a young sitter with a calm, steady gaze, painted in soft, natural tones with areas of blue, cream and muted red. The work feels open and unforced, with an honesty that gives the portrait emotional clarity.
Boy in red
Commissions
Commission original artwork
Clare welcomes commission enquiries for portraits and other figurative work, including children, siblings, family groups and character-led paintings. Each piece is approached through observation, sensitivity and a strong sense of the sitter.
Boy in ochre
A quiet portrait of a young sitter with a direct gaze and warm, natural colour.
Old friends
A lively figurative composition capturing family connection through gesture, character and atmosphere.
Blue shirt
A thoughtful portrait of an older gentleman, painted with softness, warmth and close observation.