Valerie Smith

Artist Statement

While painting with oils is my favorite and most comfortable medium, I also enjoy working with acrylics, mixed media and photography. I’m sure my preference for oils dates back to my initial contact with them when young. I also think my first teacher, Sister Vincent, also helped instill how to create depth and as she would say “Don’t make mud, Valerie” which also helped me in my blending skills.

The combination of my activities? walking, camping, basically anything that involves being out in nature, and in particular around water, has allowed me to use my camera or paintings to try capturing the beauty that is all around us.

So often people are in such a hurry, they don’t realize or appreciate how blessed we are to live in the Northwest and other beautiful regions. I hope that my attempts at capturing just a little of this beauty will bring joy into someone’s life.