About Valerie

(Quite fittingly, Valerie comes from a line of artistic individuals. Her mother, a talented painter, and her aunt, a pastel artist, were her earliest influences. Rooted even deeper in her family is a connection to the celebrated painter Benjamin West. These connections to the art world seemed to bid Valerie into a world of colors, shapes, and expression.)

As an artist, Valerie draws inspiration from her own thoughts and feelings, capturing fleeting emotions and transferring them onto the canvas. Her artworks are shaped by spontaneity, with the subject matter sometimes choosing her rather than the other way around. Her creative process oscillates between meticulous planning and embracing serendipity.

Her artistic technique is a brew of experimentation, innovation, and trust in her own instincts. Each brushstroke is a calculated risk, each blend of colors a leap of faith. Her tools of trade are not bound by traditional boundaries but extend to her favorite brushes, digital art programs, and non-traditional mediums like plaster and joint compound.

Milestones in her artistic journey include artworks that are crafted using non-traditional methods. From using texture paste mixed with joint compound to create 3-D textured pieces to repurposing old neckties, lace, and necklaces into art, Valerie's creativity knows no bounds. Her love for repurposing discarded items and her innovative use of mediums add a unique, captivating touch to her art.

As an artist, Valerie's influences are a mix of the past and the present. Closer to home, her mother, her aunt, and Benjamin West have inspired her greatly. But she also finds inspiration from contemporary artists like David Belliveau, Freya Kotchakorn, Olga Soby, Shelee Carruthers, Lexi Gilbert, and Ellen Daly. She is currently an active member of the Paintable Tribe on Facebook and Discord.

Her art is not confined by her current status as a retired teacher. Rather, she takes inspiration from her life experiences to add depth to her artworks.

Away from her easel, Valerie finds joy in gardening, her children, and her grandchildren. These aspects of her life bring her both inspiration and solace, feeding into her creativity as an artist. For her, art is more than just a hobby; it's her means of connecting with people, conveying messages that sometimes words fail to express.

Each piece of Valerie's art echoes her belief that art plays a pivotal role in society, serving as a teaching tool, an emotional outlet, and a beacon of beauty. Her goal as an artist transcends fame and profit. For Valerie, it's about spreading joy, breaking the bounds of traditional expression, and connecting people through art. Her work reflects her unwavering values, diverse experiences, and a unique artistic vision shaped by both her past and present. This is Valerie Valentine, and her journey in art that is steeped in life itself.