BIO
Claire Violet
Hi, I'm Claire Violet Hanley
​I'm an artist/illustrator and writer based in Hampshire, UK.
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My primary mediums are inks, gouache, watercolour, and coloured pencils, although I sometimes explore digital art using Procreate.
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I love to depict nature and history. My passion for the past was honed by my experiences in historical re-enactment and living history which is a huge special interest of mine. Nature has been really important to me as well, and at times of illness was almost my only truly reliable comfort.
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Before becoming a self-taught illustrator, I worked in Global Politics and hold degrees in Modern and Medieval Languages and Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge, along with a Master's in Global Politics. I achieved the latter despite having three undiagnosed autoimmune conditions and undiagnosed Autism, ADHD and Dyscalculia. This was no mean feat for someone from a non-privileged background, once deemed 'exceptionally stupid' and unlikely to get GCSEs. My misunderstood spikey academic profile and the impact of the lack of diagnoses, though, had very serious consequences for me in many ways throughout my life, making my once-promising career unsustainable and repeatedly nearly resulted in my death.
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I had come to accept that my earlier potential would never be fulfilled and that I wouldn't have a long life, but one kind human being made a big difference to me and then I finally got my diagnoses at the age of 45. Finally having the correct diagnoses has been a huge relief.
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I illustrate to show that my soul has survived all that has happened to me and that I can still feel tremendous joy and love for the world around me despite what once looked like the bleakest of circumstances.
The natural world and historical narratives are my greatest inspirations.
I enjoy exploring local chalk-stream rivers, woodlands, and historic sites, finding beauty in their stories and tranquility. I hope the joy of these experiences and my love of research shines through in my work.
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There are access barriers for me. I am unable to network in the way other people can, I don't have the energy to have a stall at local markets and events to get my name 'out there' to be seen by the right people, but I am extremely diligent, reliable, friendly and honest and have so so many ideas. I would love for my potential to be fulfilled.
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Discover my work on Instagram.
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