I’VE BEEN FRAMED
Artist Claire Baxter, pictured in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, has been named official artist for the Tour de Yorkshire. She only gave up teaching six years ago to become a full-time artist and said she is “really excited” and “buzzing” over her latest commission.
CLAIRE BAXTER only gave up teaching six years ago to dedicate herself to painting full-time.
But the last two years have been a “whirlwind” for and she is getting busier still after being named as the official Tour de Yorkshire artist.
Mrs Baxter says her work is aimed at “people who can laugh at themselves, those who can recognise themselves in the paintings, or someone else close to home”.
Her trademark oil paintings capture the back of people, inviting the viewer to add their own identity, although she says there may be one or two faces in her work for the Tour de Yorkshire.
The mother-of-two, who lives in Harrogate and runs her own gallery in Pateley Bridge, has already started work on two of the half a dozen paintings she will be creating.
Mrs Baxter, who used to teach
art at Brigshaw High School in Kippax, said: “All I can say is they (the paintings) will be of the route. I can’t say where but it will be specific places on the route.”
She is already “flat out” working 10 hours a day as well as looking after her children.
She said: “I’m really excited. I’m buzzing. Opportunities
like this don’t come along very often. The images I am going to be producing will be on the race guide to the cyclists taking part and on the route map.
“Also I am going to be working with Welcome To Yorkshire throughout the year.
“It will be my eighth year at the Great Yorkshire Show, where
I will have my own stand, but I will be doing things with WtY on their own stand as well.
“And I am also planning to be at the finishes of all the races throughout the country.
“It’s not just producing artwork, it’s being there as well and actively promoting.”
The artwork will be revealed in March.
Welcome to Yorkshire’s new chief executive, James Mason said: “Claire is one of our county’s best artistic talents and we’re delighted to be working with her on this year’s Tour de Yorkshire.
“Her works really stand out from the crowd and we’re all looking forward to seeing her bright and colourful cyclingthemed creations.”
This year’s race begins with a coastal route from Beverley to Redcar – making its debut as a finish town – on Thursday April 30.