Visit Valeries’ Studio

Q&A with Valerie

1. What is your chosen medium?

My chosen medium is clay and also incorporate mixed media, materials including found objects from nature into my work.

2. How did you start your career in art?

As long as I can remember I've been making things. AT a very young age I remember having blocks, paints, crayons, pencils and one of my favorites, Play Dough. In the 90,s I began clay classes at a community college in Daytona Beach. From there I continued workshops and landed at Penland School of Craft in 2002 and here I am.

3. What informs your art?

The largest influence on my work is the natural world . I use it for inspiration, textures on my pieces and incorporating parts of nature into my pieces, such as river rocks, wood, sea glass and other finds.

4. What jobs you have worked other than as a professional artist?

A long list in chronically order: florist, waitress/ bar tender, teaching under privileged children ( 20 years), aerobics instructor,  first mate and chef on various private yachts (10 years) and now my dream job...artist in clay!

5. What questions do you ask yourself when starting to work?

Very seldom do I question myself when starting a piece. The idea is already in my head so I roll out a slab of clay and let the clay inform me. Along the way I problem solve and make changes if need be. I try never to overthink a piece.

6. Do you have a quote that’s important to you displayed in your studio?  If so, what is it?  

I have several quotes posted in my studio that change from time to time. Two of my favorites right now are: “ Too many people go through life, running from something that isn’t after them.” (That one became an inspiration for a series of pieces I made in the past).  The other, “ If you are depressed, you’re living in the past. If you you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” Lao Tzu

7. Which artist (living or not) would you most like to invite for dinner? What would you serve?

If I had to choose just one artist to invite for dinner, I think it would be Andy Goldsworthy. 

I refer to the book “ Hand to Earth” for inspiration and appreciate how he has created so many wonderful sculptures that began with nature. Hopefully he’d have dinner with me in the summertime because I’d rely on my garden to make fresh heirloom tomatoes, garlic, lots of basil and olive oil served over a bed of hot angle hair and tons of fresh parmigiana. Of course this would be accompanied by a crusty loaf of fresh made bread and lots of wine, white, rose or red (probably all).

8.  What has been your most unusual request for your art?

Several years back I was asked to make a wall grouping for “ 101 Constitution building” in Washington DC . This  beautiful Art Deco building is the home to various DC businesses and located right across the street from The Capital. It was a thrill for me to be able to visit them after the installation.

9. What music are you listening to these days?

I have music on in my studio 24/7. I’m a fan of most genres but currently listening to Drive By Truckers, John Prine ( after his recent passing) and BB King.

10. What is on your nightstand?

My nightstand is overloaded these days. On it you will see: a ceramic bound tiny book where I record quotes, my NC gardening book, latest copy of SPLC newspaper and a book I’m reading, “Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders.