
“The garden allows me to express my love of the natural world and its endless variety. I have a deep appreciation for its rich history and enduring traditions.”
Art and nature go together like the moon and stars. For millions of years, the delicate texture of a rose petal, the flight of a butterfly, or the ebb of a wave have inspired the greatest masterpieces in history. There is poetry in the simplest creations, and no one knows their relationship to nature better than the visual artists, like Claudia Campazzo, who find the inspiration they seek at Marin Art and Garden Center and then show the work they produce in The Studio.

Claudia grew up in Chile where she casually sketched the natural world around her as an escape from stress and school. By practicing strokes, building pattern recognition, and nurturing her creative skills, she was able to enhance her talent for another art – music. In time, she mastered the viola so profoundly that she was able to earn a master’s degree in music from the New England Conservatory of Music and move on to a career as a professional violist. Eventually, along the musical road, she made her way to California and became the Executive Director of San Francisco Classical Voice.
In 2016, however, Claudia’s life took an extremely challenging turn. She lost her hearing and could no longer play music. Living in Fairfax at the time, she found herself returning to nature for solace. Mt. Tamalpais, with its lakes, trees, and trails reminded her of summers growing up in Chile, which reignited her love for drawing and spawned a heartfelt collection of botanical art. Her work was first on display at Marin Art and Garden Center in 2019, during the 22nd Annual International Exhibition of the American Society of Botanical Artists.
“The prestigious exhibition brings together botanical artists from all over the world,” she says, “and Marin Art and Garden Center is the perfect venue for it. In 2019, during the exhibition, I was invited to speak to patrons. I had a wonderful evening getting to know some of Marin Art and Garden Center supporters and sharing my artistic process.”
Claudia’s presentation was memorable to everyone in attendance that day. Her ability to represent the emergence of beauty through difficulty was particularly inspiring. Patrons were also able to learn about her technique and use of watercolors, charcoal, graphite, and oil paints.
“As a nature lover, Marin Art and Garden Center always feels like a treasure chest, with plants just waiting to be discovered and drawn or painted,” she describes.

“I have beautiful memories of time spent at the rose garden. I have a special fondness for roses, as my grandmother loved growing them and had an impressive collection in her garden. I also enjoy the areas surrounding the water fountain when I am looking for some relaxation and contemplation. Many times, I have opened the gate to the edible garden to admire the vegetables growing there and to look for inspiration for my art.”
Judging by her work, it’s clear that Claudia finds the inspiration she seeks when wandering through the garden, as every piece she displays at Marin Art and Garden Center sparks a sense of awe in visitors to The Studio.
“Botanical art stands at the center of my art practice,” she says. “The garden allows me to express my love of the natural world and its endless variety. I have a deep appreciation for its rich history and enduring traditions.”
Claudia returned to the Marin Art and Garden Center Studio in 2023 for the 26th Annual International Exhibition of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Hopefully, she will come back for many more special visits and exhibitions in the future.