Its a rare and special person who will risk everything- family, comforts, and personal preference, to follow a passion. To pick up everything and go somewhere different to get a shot at living a dream is sorta a big deal.
But that’s exactly what Claire Matthews, a U.K. native and Aussie transplant, has done- and one reason why we love her so much! Claire’s journey to living and working in Australia started back 2008 when she left everything in her quaint house in Surrey to move to Australia to work with young people. She started by doing a youth study course on the Sunshine Coast that opened up doors for this talented young woman to begin working with skateboarders and the skate community. Now Claire manages multiple skate shops across the Sunshine Coast and is a unique position to be living a passion for her life- impacting young people and using her skills in design, marketing and business to serve others. “I’ve always wanted to run a shop!” she says of her sometimes very stressful and manic role. “Here I have the chance to be doing something I would never have a chance to do in Surrey.”
In between managing skate shops as well as a new surf shop drop-in centre for young surfers, Claire still manages to find time to draw and design- another big passion for her. At one point, she even turned part of one of the skate shops into an art gallery! From skate decks and canvases to tee-prints for a fair trade clothing brand (wink wink), Claire gives it all a go with a full heart to serve, and we’re very grateful to have her as the feature artist and inspiration for the ‘Monster+Math’ collection.
We finally had a chance to catch up with Claire and ask her a few questions about the range and her art…
- What was your inspiration behind the whole monster thing that has been used in Moselles latest Tee range?
Whenever I have something going on inside me these little dudes turn up and help me get it out onto a page. It feels calming to draw what’s going on whether it’s wanting to vomit up all the worries and hope that are tying my guts up or to see hope for change lifting me up when I have no energy left. I hope that recognizing in these monsters experiences you’ve been through will give you hope or at least make you feel a little less alone.
- Are there any that you have a specific story about?
Mr Monster weighed down by a boulder that’s being lifted up by three birds… when I first drew him there weren’t any birds, I was feeling really weighed down and heavy. Then one day I had some real encouragement that gave me hope and I could feel hope doing its business, lifting the load. Everything I had to do was still on my shoulders but hope was helping me carry it.
- How long have you been drawing for?
When I started drawing my other hand was busy with its thumb in my mouth. That’s why I’m right handed, because my left hand was busy.* (*probably not why)
- What gets you in the creative mood?
Being frustrated or sad gets me drawing, being happy gets me making things – bunting, clothing, skateboards, pompoms, fixing stuff, I love fixing stuff.
- Do you have a favorite monster for this latest tee range?
I enjoy vomiting monsters. They aren’t really intended to be gross, it’s my attempt to get something out of me. You know that feeling in your stomach- regrets, loneliness, nervous anticipation, everything that ties you up and fills your brain. How good would it feel just to throw it all up at the feet of someone who really cares about it and doesn’t mind if you get some on their shoes.
- What excites you about ethical/fair trade clothing?
I want to live in a world where people help each other and care about people they don’t even know. Where people don’t make their decisions on what saves them a buck but on what is good for other people.
- How did you get connected with Moselle Clothing?
I’ve known Dan and Catrina for a couple of years now. They’re rad people, I admire what they’re doing and when they asked me to be involved I did a little jig in the middle of morning tea. Thanks guys!
