Obama painting , Darfur paintings, and more.

My art
represents all
of what I’ve
been, all of
what I’ve seen
and much of
what I’with me
through pain,
joy, chaos and
calm. As I’ve
traveled
through each of
these human
events it has
allowed me
opportunities to
reflect that
which is too
great to carry
alone and
enabled me to
provide a
translation for
what an
experience,
face or vision
has
communicated
to me.

When a
painting allows
its audience a
moment to step
away from daily
living and
pause to smile,
cry or smirk I
feel success.
Most often the
subjects
present
themselves
naturally and
demand
representation;
other times a
simple form,
movement or
sense plays
through my
mind for a time
until it feels
either ready to
be revealed or
needing to be
examined,
pursued and
solved on the
canvas.
Inspiration
comes from
something as
simple as a
child’s smile or
as great as the
genocide within
the Sudan.

The acrylic
medium
naturally suits
me and offers
me the ability to
manipulate
texture and
incorporate it
into the voice of
the work. I love
both the depth
and the
freedom that
acrylics offer.
My Darfur
series reflects
both the pain
and hope that I
see existing
simultaneously
in the eyes of
the people of
Darfur. Painting
this has
presented a
challenge to me
by requiring
that I eventually
solve the
“simultaneous”
puzzle and
adequately
represent their
message of
both incredible
pain and simple
hope.
The people of
Darfur have
much to teach
each of us.

Thanks for
stopping by.

Valerie