Clare, a finalist in this year’s Landscape Artist of the Year, was brought up in Bentham near the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Her father, Desmond Hird’s family were from Arkengarthdale to the west of Richmond where her Grandad was the Blacksmith, and her Great Grandad ran the Mill.

Clare has had a fascination with the Yorkshire Dales landscape since she was a girl and was always painting and drawing outside whilst growing up.

After working as a teacher and headteacher, Clare took up painting full time on retirement. She has a studio at her home near Stone in Staffordshire and has been teaching adults to paint and draw for the last fourteen years.

She works primarily in oils but also uses watercolour and enjoys creating images in pencil, pen and charcoal.