Claire Longley

Much of my early childhood was in the far east, as my father was in the army.

One February, having just returned to Britain, I looked out of the window in my grandmother’s London flat and saw for the first time a tree in its bare winter majesty. I think it was that sight that has led to my life long love of the powerful strength and filigree tracery of winter trees.

As an army family, we could not keep pets as we were always moving to different countries. Naturally, since then, I have kept as many pets as possible, ranging from dogs, pigs and donkeys to the more exotic looking rheas. All these animals have also featured in my artwork.

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