Raising Awareness About Social and Political Issues

Valerie Patterson, valeriepatterson.com, creates watercolor paintings that have received several Awards of Excellence and a Featured Artist Award from Manhattan Arts International for their profound visceral impact and technical prowess. Her powerful images move beyond superficial aesthetic beauty, wake us up from our bouts of complacency and apathetic slumber, and ultimately transform us to become more aware and compassionate. 

Valerie  grew up in Ogdensburg, NY, the daughter of a Presbyterian Minister and public-school teacher whom she credits for her humanitarianism.

Banner image: Detail of “Requiem For Joey, watercolor, 27″ x 35”.

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The Memory Shone In His Face, watercolor, 27″ x 35″

Asked when she decided to focus on art that conveys social and political messages, Valerie responded, “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. 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.” 

Valerie’s book “ART TO START THE CONVERSATION” was published in 2023 by ABCarlson Publishing.  She states, “Throughout this book I discuss my thoughts and process as well as the stories behind the creation of each work.” 

Retired, watercolor, 27″ x 35″

Valerie’s watercolor paintings have been exhibited extensively throughout the United States in both group and solo exhibitions including The Bond St. Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA, The Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland and The Arts & Literature Laboratory in New Haven CT.

In 2024 Valerie won the People’s Choice award at the annual juried show at the Adirondack Artists Guild. Her many other awards include: 1st Prize in The Dayton Ohio International Museum Of Peace International Juried Peace Arts Exhibition; the Juror’s Award Of Excellence for the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center National Juried Exhibition: ”Ebb & Flow: The Power Of Water”; First Prize at The Dayton International Peace Museum for their National Juried Exhibition of Art Encouraging Peace; the Nelda Howell Memorial Award from the Hudson Valley Art Association’s 72nd Annual National Juried Art Exhibition (Hastings-On-Hudson, NY).

Being Patient, watercolor, 27″ x 35″ 

Valerie’s art was selected for the Manhattan Arts International “HerStory” 2024 Invitational Exhibition and also “the Healing Power of Color” 2024 Invitational exhibition.

One of her paintings was accepted into the juried Baltimore Watercolor Society’s 2021 Online mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition. Within this show, the painting won the National Watercolor Society’s Award. In 2021 her art was also juried into the Schweinfurth Art Center’s (Auburn, NY) “Made In NY” Exhibition.

Introduction, watercolor, 27″ x 35″

Valerie’s art has been published in an article on Artweek.com and featured in Manhattan Arts International YouTube videos.

Her art was selected for top awards in two “The Healing Power of ART” exhibitions and the “Hot Topics ~ Bold Expressions” exhibition and in the “HerStory” 2022 exhibition presented by Manhattan Arts International.

Mourners, watercolor, 27″ x 35″

Valerie states, Each of my paintings creates a place, a location that I implore you to emotionally enter. These are highly representational, narrative, occasionally surreal, works that tell tales (at times viscerally) ask questions, inspire thought and evoke responses. Place is introduced as site, memory or state of mind, an experience, people, an event, an entrance or position, a time or history, a region where ghosts reside. These are paintings created to encourage contemplation and the processing of ideas while endeavoring to move beyond mere aesthetic and dream states to awakenings.”

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

Artist Kathy Ostman-Magnusen shared, “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.” 

Read an interview with the artist on our website Interview With Member Valerie Patterson.

Visit Valerie Patterson’s website valeriepatterson.com

Join Valerie Patterson on social media
Instagram.com/valeriepattersonart
Facebook.com/valeriepattersonart
Linkedin.com/in/valerie-patterson8543a317