Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Mackey.
Claudia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Art has always been a passion for me even as a child. I always loved to create images in pencil, paint, or clay.
After graduating from College, my first teaching job was as an art teacher for a school district. I pursued my higher education during summers at UCSD and finished by Fine arts degree as an add-on to my Teaching degree… Each summer for the next several years, I furthered my education to acquire a Masters Degree in Counseling and Guidance and eventually a Doctorate in Educational Management.
My art took a back seat as I moved up through the ranks of administration, and began teaching night classes for two Universities. Providing for myself and my son were my main focus. After many productive years, I was struck by tonsil cancer. The treatment included a great deal of radiation to the throat area. Nerve damage has led to near immobility of the tongue, causing me to be unable to speak normally. I was no longer able to teach or lecture without the ability to speak clearly.
After a brief period of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to return to my art. Drawing and Painting and sharing my work with others has made me feel whole again. I have created a small business to create and share my art and my view of the world.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have experienced some of the struggles that are common to many people such as divorce and loss of loved ones.
The biggest struggles for me have been with incidences of a couple of cancers and dealing with the resulting limitation following treatment… Thanks to the medical community and to the support of family and friends, I have been able to overcome these challenges and to enjoy my life again. My art has helped to restore me and give me purpose and passion.
Overall, I feel fortunate to have a wonderful family and good friends, and the skills to continue creating art.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I have an art studio in the Brokers Building downtown as part of a consortium of working artists. SEE Art Studio is the registered title of my business. I am able to work there and share and sell my work in a few local galleries and shows. My focus is on drawing and painting. I enjoy figurative art and portraits as well as Oceanscapes.
I am also available for commissioned work. I am most known for vivid colors in a variety of settings. My work is mostly enhanced realism. I work in oil paint most often, but also use other media such as pencil, charcoal, chalk and oil crayon. It is stimulating to watch other artists work and to continually learn new techniques and approaches.
What were you like growing up?
I was fortunate to have had a reasonably happy childhood with 4 siblings and both parents. We were taught moral values and respect for others. We shared in the workload and received a small ‘allowance’ weekly, Every couple of weeks, my parents took us down to the local five and dime to spend our savings. I usually bought modeling clay and drawing materials and books. My siblings and I were mostly harmonious and played together in the backyard and around the neighborhood.
My mother says that I was the most ‘rebellious’ of the group, questioning the reasons for how things were being done and why etc. While she was unhappy with this aspect of my character, I excelled at school which, even as a middle child, garnered me some positive attention. My mother taught us domestic chores and day to day expectations. She was an accomplished pianist and played a variety of classical pieces. She was most beautiful when playing the piano.
While my sisters enjoyed helping in the kitchen, I spent a lot of time out in the garage with my father and brother/s. My father had a wonderful sense of humor and taught us how to laugh and play. He also taught us to swim, fish, understand sports, use hand tools, and play poker. I loved making little inventions and tinkering out there while listening to my father’s jokes and stories.
Pricing:
- Prices range for $200 up to thousands, depending on size and difficulty
Contact Info:
- Address: 402 Market St. #218 San Diego, CA, 92101
- Website: Claudia Mackey Fine Art
- Phone: 805-878-4227 Text to contact artist
- Email: drcjmackey@gmail.com
- Facebook: claudiamackey-squarespace.com
Image Credit:
Mark Lague
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