Born in Stoke-on-Trent and studied Textile design at Croydon College of Art before travelling to Sweden and to Paris.
In Paris, Valerie studied mosaics at the École de Beaux-Arts and worked for several years with the ancient collotype printing presses at the Trianon Press, which produced facsimile editions of the works of William Blake and Samuel Palmer – as well as beginning to make her way as an artist in her own right.
Returning to the UK, Valerie took a Diploma in Art Therapy at St Albans College of Art. She worked for many years as an art therapist in schools and hospitals but found time in between such posts for more travelling, including long periods in Israel and Spain, before settling in Suffolk, where she returned to full-time painting and printing.
Initially her work concentrated on screens and murals to commission – with the constant themes of ancient theatre and commedia del’arte. More recently her work has taken a semi-abstract turn. This corresponds to the exciting discovery of the freedom of the monotype and monoprint techniques. These works have an intangible dream like quality which radiate colour warmth and humour. Valerie returns to an exploration of the interior landscapes of the mind – a bridge between her art therapy days and the result of a vivid dream world.
Valerie is a member of the Suffolk Crafts Society and the Sudbourne Park Print Group. She has travelled widely in Europe and the Middle East and draws her inspiration from many sources: – people & places; ancient & modern theatre and her own intangible world of dreams. She runs various classes and creative workshops over East Anglia. Valerie has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally and her works are in private and public collections around the world.
(Click to enlarge images)
You can find more images and information on Valerie’s personal website and our Gallery.