Valerie Berkely
Wausau, Wisconsin
Artist Valerie Berkely channels her lifelong passion for painting by exploring the meditative connection between intuition and creativity. Combining pictorial landscapes with painterly abstraction, she conveys narratives from her encounters on the shores of Big Lake Superior and those shared by family and friends. Valerie captures nature’s stories, from the tranquility of sunsets to the tumultuous energy of stormy skies. Inspired by the bold techniques of fellow UGallery artists, Valerie discards brushes to fully immerse herself in the tactile experience of the craft. “Finger-painting is a freedom where I often surprise myself with delightful results,” says Valerie.She divides her time between her cluttered yet organized studios in Wisconsin and Michigan, working in each location based on the season. Beyond art, Valerie enjoys experimenting with flavors in the kitchen, drawing parallels between mixing color and mixing flavor.
Artist Statement
My studio challenge involves the study of color in my palette choices for new work in oil. I experiment with transparent hues, applying them with my fingers in a technique called alla-prima. Each studio session is a quest to capture a mood, creating abstract landscapes that evoke a sense of beauty.
Inspiration strikes me in various ways. Sometimes, it's a textured surface that guides my intuition; other times, a smooth canvas provides just the right touch. Claude Monet once said, "What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence," and those words resonate deeply with me.
Art has been a part of my life since childhood, thanks to my grandmother, who let me play with her professional supplies. My passion for painting was solidified when I encountered Seurat's La Grande Jatte at the Art Institute of Chicago—a moment that literally knocked me off my feet.
My studio may be cluttered, but it's organized chaos! Amidst preparing for workshops and navigating the uneven floors of my 1920s Craftsman house, I find my creative flow. During the summer months, I retreat to my Lake Effect Art Studio by Lake Superior, where my spacious work table—a repurposed maple wood butcher block—serves as the epicentre of my artistic endeavours.
Inspiration strikes me in various ways. Sometimes, it's a textured surface that guides my intuition; other times, a smooth canvas provides just the right touch. Claude Monet once said, "What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence," and those words resonate deeply with me.
Art has been a part of my life since childhood, thanks to my grandmother, who let me play with her professional supplies. My passion for painting was solidified when I encountered Seurat's La Grande Jatte at the Art Institute of Chicago—a moment that literally knocked me off my feet.
My studio may be cluttered, but it's organized chaos! Amidst preparing for workshops and navigating the uneven floors of my 1920s Craftsman house, I find my creative flow. During the summer months, I retreat to my Lake Effect Art Studio by Lake Superior, where my spacious work table—a repurposed maple wood butcher block—serves as the epicentre of my artistic endeavours.
Artist Background
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1976
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
, 1980
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