Claire Petitt is a watercolor artist and illustrator based in San Francisco. Originally from New England with European roots, she finds inspiration in the places, people, and small moments that make everyday life memorable.
Her work is warm, observant, and often a little playful — from dogs encountered on city sidewalks to colorful street corners, foggy beaches, and familiar faces.
Claire’s Perspective
Claire is drawn to the details that make a place, person, or animal unmistakably themselves.
A particular expression. The way a dog carries itself. A weathered storefront. Light disappearing into coastal fog. These small observations often become the starting point for her work.
Watercolor is her primary medium for its ability to move, layer, and leave room for suggestion. Rather than explaining every detail, Claire lets the character of a subject emerge through color, texture, and gesture.
A Range of Ways to Look
While watercolor sits at the heart of Claire’s practice, her work moves freely between mediums and formats.
She creates illustrations, drawings, collages, custom portraits, city scenes, stationery, patches, and woven watercolor pieces. Her commissioned work offers another way into this world — interpreting a beloved dog, person, place, or neighborhood through her warm and distinctive perspective.
Lover of Coffee, Laughter & “Gezelligheid”
Claire lives with her family in San Francisco, where beach walks with her dogs are a regular source of inspiration.
She is happiest with her face to the wind, feet in the water, and a sketchbook in hand — ideally followed by good coffee, laughter, and a little gezelligheid.
