Clare Barton-Harvey (aka Amitajyoti)

My work is an exploration of the ‘nature of mind’ and ‘kinship’, with an emphasis on communication and collaboration between the human and more-than-human e.g. trees, plants and insects. The calligraphic drawings, paintings and writings that I create, are expressions of these communications, which often take place over several days, and have a social or ecological dimension to them. Meditative practices weave through my work, which engages my whole body and a range of scale and materials, including raw linen, paper, tempera, brush, feather and foraged/found materials. Working with natural materials and on a large scale is integral to the vision of ecology, which underlies my research.

The majority of my work is created outside, in relationship and in participation with the environment. I engage various methods, including walking, meditation, drumming and sound, to ‘connect’ with the place I am situated, before starting work. The drawings arise from specific communications with the land and its inhabitants, my body serving as somatic register of the dialogue that takes place.

My work engages open questions, and the creative act is the portal through which the communications take place. Recent communications include themes relating to ‘impermanence’, the ‘wonder’ and mystery of our human and more-than-human intra-connectedness, the power we have to effect creative change through those relationships, as well as themes of devastation and violence, akin to those taking place in Gaza.

I draw inspiration from a variety of sources in my work. See my resources page for links to a range of scientists, artists and writers work.

I practice as a full time artist, tutor and mentor. For 2 years, I have worked with the land and community at Alfoxton Buddhist Arts and Eco Land-Based community.

I received BA (Hons) Fine Art in 1998, and in 2003 studied drawing, to MA level, at the Royal Drawing School. In 2017 I returned to study for one year with Bob and Roberta Smith (RA) at the Essential School of Painting (ESOP).

My work is held in private collections across the UK, Europe and America.

Mentor, teacher/trainer
I have been practising mindfulness for 32 years and in 2007 trained with Breathworks to become a Mindfulness teacher. Since then I have devised numerous workshops, courses and retreats exploring the relationship of drawing, mindfulness, creativity, painting and the imagination, in both Buddhist and secular contexts. I am fascinated by the relationship of art and mindfulness and how they ongoingly offer new ways of seeing, feeling and thinking which can be deeply liberating, refreshing and restorative as well as lead to deeper and more enriched creativity.

I currently offer online workshops and courses in drawing and mindfulness, and work as a freelance teacher/trainer in a variety of locations including the City Lit, Breathworks, The Royal Academy, National Gallery, British Museum, British Library and Pallant House Gallery. Contact me, for more info about my teaching practice

I am a practising Buddhist and received full ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2006, when I received the name Amitajyoti (which means ‘Boundless or Immeasurable Light’)