By Krystle J Bailey
Though Valerie Feo has studied the arts for most of her life, her career as an artist really took flight when the rest of the world shut down.
Growing up, Valerie attended countless art classes, eventually earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Stockton University. As post-college life took over, Valerie found herself working in nightlife, ultimately putting her passion on the back burner. That is until a global pandemic left her alone with nothing but her paint and her thoughts.
“2020 changed everything for me,” explains Feo who painted day and night during the world-wide quarantine. “Having this time to really find myself has given me the highest sense of awareness and gratitude.”
As an expressive figurative artist, Valerie paints with flow rather than intention. Each piece begins with a spark of inspiration either from a color or a line then follows a journey of feeling, as inspiration continues to flow from Valerie’s paintbrush.
Her breakout piece, High Standards, was featured at the Palazzo Ducale Museum of Art in Genoa, Italy as well as the International Contemporary Fair in Paris.
“I knew it was a turning point. It was a feeling of dejavu,” explains Feo about High Standards.”When you have dejavu, they say you’re right where you’re supposed to be. I have felt no greater sense of satisfaction than when I was creating that piece.”
Her art career has continued to blossom and evolve alongside her own self-discovery since then, catching the eye of global art publications like International Contemporary Art Curator Magazine who awarded Valerie with a Collector’s Vision Award.
Inspired by obscure beauty involving long necks, abstract noses, and a variety of colors, Valerie continues to paint each day with no plans or expectations of the outcome. Valerie’s works, such as Bright Side of the Moon and the subsequent, Dark Side of the Moon, have been featured in publications and shows from Italy to Paris.
“Honestly, I’ve learned a lot about my art through how curators and collectors have described my work,” explains Feo. “I feel like my art journey has just begun. I’m still figuring myself out and, in turn, my art.”
Currently, Valerie is working with Kensington Furniture to create signature pieces to compliment custom furniture. She is continuing to push the boundaries of her canvas, in a constant state of creativity and self discovery.
Valerie’s artistic style is uniquely her own or as she refers to it, “so Val.”
“When you see my art, I hope you know that that’s So Val,” shares Feo in reference to her collections. “I hope it inspires you to be SO you. I hope we get to the point in our journeys where we are so intune with ourselves and feel invited to be our truest selves.”
Valerie Feo looks forward to creating for years to come. While she is continuing to explore on canvas, she looks forward to eventually moving towards fashion and merchandising.
Keep up with Val at sovalart.com and on Instagram at soval_art.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
