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Gouache, still life paintings by Clara Rubin that celebrate her love of Italian life

Known for her still life paintings of Italian buildings and interiors, Milan-based artist and illustrator Clara Rubin is inspired by her own childhood, exploring the scenes that feel so familiar and comforting.

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A closet interior painted in gouache showing colourful patterned fabrics hanging on a rail, a grey suitcase, white shelving and a patterned floor in warm tones

"Being Italian I like to bring my influence, background and heritage to each piece of work alongside my emotions," she tells us. "I feel most inspired when a subject is close to me and, whereby I have a connection and bond. Places, such as where I used to visit in my childhood hold fond memories for me and inspire my work."

Describing herself as an emotive artist, she likes to focus on the "feeling" that a place offers, more so than what is around her, paying attention to the vivid colours, the smells and noises. "When painting I allow all this emotion to come across so that when looking at my work you gain a sense of how I was feeling at the time. This way of painting allows me to show depth in portraying what I am seeing rather than a photographic representation," she adds.

Working mainly with gouache on paper, Clara also takes inspiration from artists such as Paula Lawrie, Dike Blair, Lois Dodd and David Hockney, pointing to the vibrant colours they use.

She graduated from the Camberwell College of Arts in 2012 and after living in London for seven years, decided to move back home to Italy. Clara has since become a freelance illustrator, working for clients such as The New Yorker and Rimowa. She also sells her original artworks, as featured here. Discover more at clara-rubin.com.

Gouache painting of a modernist Italian courtyard with wooden louvred doors, a central red brick chimney, white walls and green lawn beneath a clear sky
Gouache painting of an orange-walled Italian building facade with dark-framed windows and climbing vines by Clara Rubin
Interior view through open doors showing a bright blue draped fabric, geometric patterned floor and a Lisbon apartment building with terracotta roof visible beyond
A purple chequered cloth and a colourful patterned textile hanging from a white radiator against a pale blue speckled wall and dark green floor
Modern kitchen with white cabinetry, wooden worktop, gas hob, blue sink and taps, shelves displaying colourful kitchenware and potted plants, and patterned floor tiles
Bathroom interior with two white rectangular sinks set against marble-effect tiled wall, chrome taps, shelf of toiletries above, and green and cream checkered floor tiles below
Gouache painting of a Mediterranean beach scene with turquoise water, sandy shore, green umbrella pine tree and moss-covered rocks beneath a blue sky
Illustration of a man wearing glasses and a blue checked shirt, holding a smartphone whilst seated on a black sofa with a yellow cushion
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