Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Dowdy.
Hi Valerie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an artist and a massive fan of the ocean & beach scene. The sights, sounds, and smells of a beach community fascinate me. Each time I visit the energy, colors, textures, sights, and sounds always inspire my creativity. I began my professional art career as a mural artist. One without any formal training. I also had a growing desire to learn more about painting on canvas.
My desire to learn about painting on canvas (a much smaller space) was intimidating and challenging. There were lots of new and old styles of painting, paints, and materials to learn about and use to create. Returning to school (with three children was a challenge) to learn about and study art. While enrolled I was hired to create my biggest mural job to date. While I love painting murals, A new world of paint and making work came alive. This was home and I knew that.
My love and devotion to my family always came first for me. Art is a very close second. I began entering shows and participating in group exhibitions. Being known as an artist gave me more and more opportunities to meet people. I still painted murals, in the beginning, but began accepting more and more private commissions. I’ve always believed all art matters. Not everyone can afford to own high-end artwork, but someone desiring to own a piece of art you created is quite a compliment. Therefore, I’ve tried to compose a wide range of work.
When digital technology opened up the access for artists in the digital world, I was intrigued and excited. People began to ask me to create and self-publish my own coloring book. A new genre of making art. At the time of my first book, I was working in abstract., I created a series of three books representative of this genre of art. I love making pages for coloring books.
Both of our daughters wound up living in the Charleston area a few years later, and we became frequent visitors to the area. As their knowledge of the area grew they began to introduce to new places as well. One of our daughters moved to James Island within minutes of Folly Beach. We are sandy beach lovers type people, so when my daughter gave me an O-en invitation I took advantage of her offer!
My absolute favorite time to be there is April-May. Right before the tourist season begins to kick in the spring energy is coming alive in anticipation. One day sitting in my beach chair, I was resting from trying to rescue starfish littered across the beach. It dawned on me that I could create a coloring book about Folly and the things I love about the area. So I did.
Everything is Better At Folly Beach was born. I sold the books in a local shop, and one of the Folly Beach FB community groups permits me to share posts a few times every year. I love that they are willing to support me in this. My Folly coloring book is my best seller still to date.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. From my perspective as a mom who embarked on her artistic journey the struggles and limitations were an obstacle and lessons for my family. They all supported and encouraged me, but let’s face it, children are busy and life takes a lot of time away from your ability and energy for focus and practice. I do not regret the choices I made, I would make the same ones again.
I’ve always referred to my personal experiences working as an artist as feast or famine. I think a lot of artists can relate to this as well. Art is a necessity to life and humanity. But owning original art is not. If an artist wishes to stay relative and open to opportunity they have to evolve along with their community and life. Don’t get me wrong, selling an original painting is an awesome experience every single time. It is one worthy of pursuing.
My journey has brought me in contact with a lot of different people. Some with lots of discretionary income, also many people are excited and happy to own an art print or mass-produced coloring book. Either experience is unique and complimentary.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a mountain-dwelling artist with a sandy, seashell soul. I currently am concentrating on surrealism. A lot of people get nervous or uncomfortable when you throw the word surreal at them. But I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t know or recognize Dali’s dripping clock. This is part of why I love surrealism. It allows me to destroy an idea or scene from a blah landscape, etc, and turn it into a very realistic depiction that explores reality.
By breaking free of the limitations of a single idea and offering different perspectives, we can interpret and understand on a deeper level. I am known as the crazy tree painter. I love to paint trees and they very often appear and feature in my work, I am most proud that by my example, my children have grown in their own knowledge of and appreciate the arts. And second, people ask me to sign my coloring books at fairies, events, etc.
My favorite surrealist art quote ever: “Surrealism, then, neither aims to subvert realism, as does the fantastic nor does it try to transcend it. It looks for different means by which to explore reality itself. Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision”. – Michael Richardson
What are your plans for the future?
When you reached out to me for this interview, I’d just begun thinking about creating a second edition of my Folly Beach Coloring Book to expand out more and encompass more of the sights, scenes, etc of the Charleston Area. I am taking this as a positive sign.
Contact Info:
- Website: valeriedowdy.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/valeriedowdyart
- Facebook: Facebook.com/valeriedowdyart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriedowdy/
- Etsy store: https://valeriedowdyart.etsy.com/
