Eagle Gallery in Bedford, my paintings and cards are in all Member Exhibitions there.
“Artisans in the Yard” in Shefford, paintings and cards.
19-21 July HVA Big Art Fair in Hitchin
7 September-October Letchworth Open at Broadway Gallery
10-27September, Open Studios 2024 at The Two Chimneys, Stotfold Road, Letchworth
October, Bedford MS Therapy Centre exhibition.
Val paints intuitively, using colour and contrast, texture and shapes to develop expressive abstracts. She usually working in acrylics, mixed media or oils, creating a series connected by a colour palette or a theme. Most of her studio work is purely abstract, but she also enjoys capturing people, taking a quirky viewpoint on a familiar object, or adding a touch of fantasy.
Mostly self-taught, Val developed her skills at various short courses and workshops. Influences include artists she’s worked with and some more famous ones. She loves Van Gogh and Rothko for their use of colour; Monet’s mark-making; and Delaunay’s use of shapes and tones. Val enjoys experimenting with materials, tools or techniques, which may then be used as in her future work.
Art and creativity have been constants throughout Val’s life, fitting around the demands of career and family. In recent years, her hobby has become a passion and she spends time every day on her art practice. In 2020, Val used painting to tackle depression caused by the impact of the pandemic. She explored colour, researching colour psychology and creating colour charts. This helped her to cope and led to a more introspective approach in her creative practice. It triggered a shift to an abstract style of painting, which has evolved further since then.
Val still uses an impressionist style for commissions (if necessary), but her main focus is on creating colourful expressive abstract paintings.