She Wakes Us Up and Raises Our Awareness

This interview was published in 2019. A few additions were made in 2024.

It is an honor to share this interview I conducted with artist Valerie Patterson in 2019. She stands out among her peers as an artist who expresses an acute sensitivity to the human condition with unerring poignancy and technical prowess. Her diverse portfolio and admirable emotional range is fueled by her tenacity to confront social and political issues. Her profound images wake us up from our bouts of complacency and apathetic slumber. Those are a few of the many reasons why I have chosen her for a Featured Artist Award and Awards of Excellence in our juried exhibitions. To view more of her art work visit her page.

About Valerie Patterson: “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 an innate ability to exacerbate the coldness of the world around her while illustrating the beauty of the soul.” ~ Tim Serviss,  Artist

Valerie Patterson’s painting  “In Pursuit of Justice”, watercolor, 35″ x 27″, shown above, was selected for the Manhattan Arts International “HerStory” 2024 Invitational Exhibition. When asked what inspired this painting Valerie told me “The painting ‘In Pursuit of Justice’ was created as a call to action for the current and upcoming generations of women. The upside-down flag symbolizes distress over the present state of women’s rights and inequality in the United States. The young girl, wearing a crown of victory, endeavors to pull the sword out of the statue of the Contemplation of Justice. Removing the sword from the stone (statue) references the 1938 novel, by T.H. White, in which pulling the sword from the stone is a metaphor for the purpose that lies within each of us. Her purpose here is to continue to fight for equality and justice.” 

Valerie Patterson, Society’s Cage, watercolor, 27″ x 35″.

RP: Valerie, how has growing up as the daughter of a Minister and public school teacher influenced your art?

VP: My father’s weekly sermons always had a well-crafted message, as do each of my paintings. Both of my parents throughout their jobs and lives modeled thoughtfulness and a belief in equality, social justice, compassion and tolerance for others.

RP: When did you decide to focus on art that conveys social and political messages?

VP: It gradually evolved as I was creating art that was meaningful to me. Once I realized the tremendous power that images can have to make people comfortable or uncomfortable, happy or sad, settled or unsettled, I knew I had a voice. I decided to use my voice to encourage people to see, think and feel – something not always valued in our culture. Awareness replaces ignorance and opens up the possibility of change. If you can’t ignore it, then you may feel compelled to change it. I don’t recall any one thing prompting that decision. Just a strong need to communicate and share ideas and emotions.

RP: I’m amazed at how prolific you are and your enormous range of expressive images. Where do your ideas come from?

VP: I believe that most of my ideas come through me, not from me. Sometimes, ideas simply pop into my head seemingly from nowhere. Other times, some political or social situation will appear in my conversations, in the news, in a movie or in many other ways — repeatedly, beckoning me to paint them.

Valerie Patterson, “Living With The Legend”, watercolor.

RP: What inspired your powerful painting “Living With The Legend”?

VP: “Living With The Legend” was inspired by my interpretation of some mother/daughter relationships. The giant mother’s shoes/feet symbolize the huge impact the mother has on her daughter and how overwhelming it can feel. The multiple images of the daughter symbolize the passage of time. She repeatedly circles in an attempt to understand her mother’s positive and negative influence on, and power over, her life.

RP: What do you like most about working in watercolor?

VP: I appreciate that watercolors dry quickly but can be worked into again. They are easily portable and have no toxic fumes. With the right paper, watercolor is more forgiving than it is usually given credit for. As well, because watercolor is often considered a “lesser” medium (as opposed to oil and acrylic) it appeals to the rebel in me. Barriers foolishly created and falsely believed, are simply waiting to be torn down.

RP: What is the most memorable comment you’ve ever received about your art?

VP: My paintings have been described as visceral – “relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect”. While this is often my underlying intent, it often arrives via a very cognitive process.

RP: What career experience has been most significant for you?

VP: I was selected as one of ten artists to be a part of the Inaugural Exhibition of Monkdogz Urban Art in Manhattan in 2006. The gallery was founded by co-owners Marina Hadley and Robert Hogge. The principal focus of Monkdogz is to discover and showcase contemporary emerging artists from around the world working in the different media of painting, drawing sculpture, photography, video and prints. In its first two years of opening, the gallery exhibited over 170 artists from 35 countries.

“The commentary, the vibrancy and the skill! There’s no one like you Valerie!”
~ Marina Irwin Hadley,  Monkdogz Urban Art, NYC

Valerie Patterson, Struggle Between Good & Evil, watercolor.

RP: Your painting “Struggle Between Good & Evil” has so much impact. Please tell us about it.

VP: This painting is part of my “Fairy Tale” series. One element of a Fairy Tale is clearly defined good and evil characters, villains and heroes. The inspiration for this painting was merely the contrast that I immediately noticed upon looking at two reference photos that I had of a vulnerable woman and the dragon/bat like creatures attacking from a black and white world. A story began in my head of a woman (inherently good) attempting to escape from evil creatures. Illustrated is a pivotal moment of vulnerability for the woman. Will she escape the evil forces?

RP: Please share any recent and special accolades and awards you’ve received about your art.

VP: Featured Artist Award Winner in the 2018 Manhattan Arts International: “New Beginnings”, international juried exhibition.  First Place Award Winner, “Art Cries Out”, Dayton International Peace Museum, Dayton, OH, “Art For Peace” international juried exhibition.

“Valerie Patterson says what we all know to be true in our souls. Her contribution to all, is what many of us think and it is a profound statement that feels to be on the tip of our tongues. She is the mind of today and I will say it loudly.”  ~ Kathy Ostman-Magnusen, Artist

Valerie Patterson, Reminiscence, watercolor.

RP: What inspired “Reminiscence” from your “Ghosts in Saranac” series?

VP: “Reminiscence” is one of the paintings from the “Chosts in Saranac” series, that I continue to add to, which highlights the unique history of Saranac Lake, NY, the village where I live. Saranac Lake was a well-known destination for people from around the world suffering from TB. Thousands of people came to Saranac Lake to “Take the cure” of fresh mountain air. Imagine an entire community that truly understood the value of one day, one hour, one minute… Reminiscence was inspired by the former Pontiac Theatre where many patients found entertainment when they were well enough. The man in color represents a TB survivor, remembering his past, friends and times at the theatre. Where this grand theatre once stood is now a parking lot.

“Valerie Patterson is one of the most prolific and powerful artists that I have worked with in a career that goes back four decades.” ~ Bob Hogge Artist and former owner of Monkdogz Urban Art, NYC

RP: What changes would you like to see in art education?

VP: I would love to see art education become more fully understood and valued in this country. There is much credible research that has shown that the visual arts not only are an extremely important means of expressing our thoughts and emotions, but that vibrant arts programs improve student test scores in math and science, and improve attendance and graduations rates. Yet, over and over again those in positions of power seek to cut arts programs. I would love to see this persistent, destructive, ignorant view disappear.

RP: Do you think artists have a responsibility as communicators and why?

VP: Yes, I do. Artists are often the most emotionally sensitive members of a community. We are the “canaries in the coal mine”, seeing and truthfully interpreting important events before others realize what is happening. In a culture where so many wear rose colored glasses, it is important that those who don’t (or can’t), sound the alarm when they see red flags. Because we have a powerful voice, I believe we have a responsibility to use it.

Visit Valerie Patterson’s page.

Visit Valerie Patterson’s website valeriepatterson.com

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