Claire Hesselgrave is a Vancouver theatre friend and a very talented ac
tor. She was born and raised on Vashon Island, Washington. Claire spent most of her life dancing. She discovered theatre in high school, moved to Canada to get her BFA, and met a great guy doing it. She has a small apartment, a tall husband, and in 14 months she'll have permanent residency. She also loves to paint portraits of animals. the facts:
Name: Claire Hesselgrave
Theatre Specialization: Acting
Training: UBC, BFA
You might know her from: Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard), Diwata in Speech & Debate (Twenty Something)
Vancouver hood: Mount Pleasant
wesbite: www.clairehesselgrave.com OR
www.heybusterportraits.com
off stage play: pet portraiture
Theatre Specialization: Acting
Training: UBC, BFA
You might know her from: Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard), Diwata in Speech & Debate (Twenty Something)
Vancouver hood: Mount Pleasant
wesbite: www.clairehesselgrave.com OR
www.heybusterportraits.com
off stage play: pet portraiture
the goods:
How did you get started painting? When my high school electives weren't full of drama courses I would take an art class. Drawing and ceramics were the only two I got to take. I took an intro art class in my first year of university and we painted a lot of naked people-mostly Wreck Beach regulars. It was fun and so much better than painting fruit in a bowl. I hated painting still life. So boring, and still, and lifeless. Naturally. |
What made you think to paint pets?
I had been dating Brian Cochrane for about a year and wanted to get him a really good present. I knew he was into Air Bud and I found a shirt online that an artist had designed with Air Bud and Kazaam playing basketball together (link to this sweet find at bottom of post). The shirt was great, but I wanted to also give something made by me. I went to Deserres, bought paint, brushes, and a canvas. I found a photo of a good ol' golden retriever, cropped half it's face, and painted Air Bud.
I had been dating Brian Cochrane for about a year and wanted to get him a really good present. I knew he was into Air Bud and I found a shirt online that an artist had designed with Air Bud and Kazaam playing basketball together (link to this sweet find at bottom of post). The shirt was great, but I wanted to also give something made by me. I went to Deserres, bought paint, brushes, and a canvas. I found a photo of a good ol' golden retriever, cropped half it's face, and painted Air Bud.
I enjoyed doing it so much I painted more. In the beginning they were all half faces of dogs, either profile or straight on. I found the source material on the internet and the dogs were definitely somebody's pet, but I didn't know 'em. The custom portraiture began when a coworker of mine was raising money for the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter Annual Bowlathon and I offered to paint some portraits. I was swamped with orders but it was an amazing time and very much the reason why I started Hey Buster Portraits. I had discovered the beautiful dynamic between painter, pet, and that pet's people. |
How does this work inform/ enhance/ supplement your life in the theatre, if at all? This is going to sound ridiculous: It has relaxed my hands. Hands, OH HANDS. I find it easy for tension and uncertainty to move into my hands when I act. Painting reminds me of their practicality. That being said, I will still do stupid things with my hands. What does painting do for you? Painting gives me a space to be small, quiet, alone and calm. It's a great balance to the larger, louder, more open version of myself. |
How often do you paint while you’re working on a theatre project vs. When you’re in between projects? Do you notice a difference in your creativity or your art when you’re working on a play, than when you aren’t? Very rarely do I paint while working on a theatre project. I find it can be challenging to switch between the two routines. When I'm doing a play I'm busy. When I'm not doing a play I'm bored. When I'm bored it's usually because I'm not being fulfilled creatively. When I paint I'm much happier. I almost always paint at some point between projects. |
When I do paint while working on a play, I notice it's harder to get started. It's harder to change gears and find the quiet solitude after a a day of working in the rehearsal room. But, boy, when I do it's great. It's almost meditative-a perfect wind down to a busy day.
the extras:
To order your own custom portrait by Claire, or to check out more of her artwork, visit www.heybusterportraits.com. Also, Claire will be acting in Wide Awake Hearts by Brendan Gall this Dec 3rd-20th! Ticket info and everything else can be found here. If you want to see the Air Bud T shirt (trust me you do), click here.