Valerie Patterson Watercolor Painter

Valerie Patterson is a watercolor painter, and is a new artist on the Studio Tour.

Known for creating psychologically profound, narrative works that reflect a deep understanding of the human condition. Her paintings invite emotional engagement, provoke thought, and stimulate meaningful dialogue. Acclaimed for their technical mastery, emotional intensity, and fearless exploration of contemporary themes, her works are both visually striking and conceptually rich.

Each of Valerie’s paintings creates a place—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—that viewers are invited to enter and explore. These representational, narrative pieces tell stories, pose questions, evoke memories, and inspire reflection. Place becomes character, memory, state of mind, or even ghost—present in the form of an experience, person, event, or history. Her work possesses cinematic qualities, with storytelling elements reminiscent of Vermeer and Rockwell, but grounded in the complexities of modern life rather than domestic or whimsical themes.

An empath, Valerie uses her art as a voice to encourage connection and conversation around difficult or divergent subjects. In an age of social media, AI, and political division, she recognizes a growing hunger for authentic dialogue—something her work seeks to inspire through shared interpretation and emotional resonance.

Valerie received her BFA (concentration in painting) and MAT from SUNY Potsdam. In addition to a professional art career spanning over 40 years, she taught art in the New York State public school system for 34 years.

Her work has been exhibited extensively across the United States in both solo and group exhibitions, including The Bond Street Gallery (Brooklyn, NY), The Torpedo Factory Art Center (Alexandria, VA), The Arts & Literature Laboratory (New Haven, CT), The Crary Art Center (Warren, PA), The Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center (Solomons, MD), Santa Cruz Art League (Santa Cruz, CA), and Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery (NYC).

Valerie’s awards include First Prize at the Dayton International Peace Museum’s International Juried Peace Arts Exhibition; a Juror’s Award of Excellence at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden National Juried Exhibition Ebb & Flow: The Power of Water; multiple Awards of Excellence and a Featured Artist Award from Manhattan Arts International; and the Nelda Howell Memorial Award from the Hudson Valley Art Association’s 72nd Annual National Juried Art Exhibition.

Visit Valerie at the Frederick Remington Art Museum Hub in Ogdensburg NY!