Claire's artistic traits are all entirely self-taught and her enthusiasm for drawing Scottish Blackface Sheep, the breed of sheep in which she grew up with on her grandfathers farm in Peeblesshire, led her to start her very own art business. Besides being well known for drawing this popular Scottish hill breed, Claire is also known for drawing other farm livestock, wildlife and of course pet portraits through commission work.

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Claire's roots go back to a small village called Broughton in Peeblesshire, where her family still lives. Having grown up in the agriculture industry in Scotland, predominantly with sheep, Claire built a great love for livestock and other animals. So much so that she graduated from SRUC with a Higher National Diploma in Agriculture in 2014.

For three years following her education, Claire worked in the sheep shearing industry predominantly as a wool handler but done a season shearing in Norway also. Following the shearing seasons, Claire was working in the UK, Norway and also New Zealand.
 

Before having her twins in 2023, as well as having the art business full time, Claire also spent 5 months of the calendar year working as a Self Employed Livestock Embryologist for Animal Breeding Europe, an Artificial Livestock Breeding Company based in Edinburgh. Still keeping her hand in since having the twins, only with a lot less days worked, Claire has now seen the back of 11 breeding seasons working for AB Europe.

 

Working for AB has only increased her passion for drawing livestock more, by not only meeting many potential clients and their animals, but also getting to work with some of the highest quality livestock all over the UK, USA, South Africa and some of Europe.

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2016 saw the beginning of 'Claire Wilson Art' as an official business. This was also the year where she moved into Castle Crawford Farm with her now husband James, or as many of you will know him as 'Shepherd James'... Together they live with their soon to be 3 year old twin boys; Jack & Thomas and their handsome wee Jack Russel Terrier Max! (Who is Alfies wee brother!) James shepherds 1000 South Country Hill Cheviots on the farm, so there is never a dull moment in the Cochrane household! 

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After having her twin boys in 2023, Claire has been working (less than) part time, and more full time mum. Fortunate enough to be in the position to be able to fully enjoy her boys as much as possible before they start Nursery in February.

 

The last two years have saw Claire in office two days a week, to do orders, admin or any drawing that's physically possible for the remaining time of childcare..(which is very little after seeing to online orders - always a positive negative!) But thus the business decision to discontinue some of the merchandise lines for the foreseeable, as Claire makes majority of the stock herself and there simply isn't enough hours in the day to do so AND draw.

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Claire prides herself with her friendly attitude and approach, and would love to hear from you if you have any questions or inquiries regarding commissions.

Don't forget to check out 'Claire Wilson Art' on Facebook & Instagram - simply click on the icons at the bottom of the page!

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