Patterson's images come about as a result of acute observation and a series of ongoing inner dialogues. Believing that the very young and old often possess a higher sense of the spiritual, a deeper understanding of life, she often employs them as powerful symbols of innocence and human struggle throughout her body of work.

Valerie's work contains a strong social consciousness. Her images move the viewer beyond mere aesthetics to probe beneath the surface of an action, comment, relationship, or situation to expose a piece of their essence, no matter how disturbing or unsettling that it may be.

Her work was awarded the Manhattan Arts International magazine Cover Art Award. Editor-in-Chief Renée Phillips said, "Valerie Patterson stands out among her peers as an artist who expresses an acute sensitivity to the human condition with unerring poignancy and unerring technical prowess."

Praise for Valerie Patterson
"I think Patterson's work is very important and extremely poignant for the times we live in and for future generations. Her body of work not only chronicles her life, but the world that we all live in. Her gift for teaching is truly mastered through her innate ability to exacerbate the coldness of the world around her while illustrating the beauty of the soul." -- Tim Serviss, Artist