Art by Mary Valente

A little background on me and my art...

In the mid-90's I left a corporate career to explore my interest in painting. Fortunate to be in the Bay Area, I took advantage of the excellent creative programs at UC Berkeley and the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

I work mainly with oil or acrylic paints. I enjoy working in both media, depending on my mood and my subjects. When creating a realistic piece, I prefer to work in oils. They are lush and fluid, perfect for the fine details typical of a traditional still life or landscape. However, when I am in an experimental mood, pushing the boundaries between abstract and realism, I opt for the bright, opaque color and fast drying property of acrylics. This medium allows me to more easily manipulate space, line and composition – resulting in personal and unique representation of my subject.

I love to paint daily, or at the very least spend time in related activities: sketching, preparing canvases and papers, and framing. When I can't, for whatever reason, I am always thinking about how soon I can get back into the studio.

I hope you enjoy visiting my galleries. I welcome your comments and questions.

Education

Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA and University of California, Berkeley, CA
Individual study with artists: Robert Burridge, Randall Sexton, Carolyn Meyers, Stanley Goldstein, and Peggi Kroll-Roberts.

Exhibits, Festivals, Galleries and Events

2009 Studio Gallery "Tiny" - San Francisco, CA
2009 Andy's SummerFest - San Rafael, CA
2009 Falkirk Cultural Center - San Rafael, CA
2008 Studio Gallery - San Francisco, CA
2005 Kumquat - San Francisco, CA
2004 Studio Gallery - San Francisco, CA
2004 Artisans Exhibition "Realism" - Mill Valley, CA
2004 Indian Valley Artists Exhibition "Small Gems" - Novato, CA
2003 North Beach Gallery - San Francisco, CA
2003 Marin County Fair Fine Arts Competition - Marin, CA
2003 Marin Art Festival at the Lagoon - San Rafael, CA
2002 Indian Valley Artists Exhibition "Small Gems" - Novato, CA
2002 Visual Aid - San Francisco, CA
2002 Artisans Exhibition "Bon Appétit" - Mill Valley, CA
2002 Indian Valley Artists Exhibition "Art in Action" - Novato, CA
2002 Marin Art Festival at the Lagoon - San Rafael, CA
2002 Marin Arts Council Open Studios - Corte Madera, CA
2002 Indian Valley Artists Exhibition, "Arts and Flowers" - Novato, CA
2001 Indian Valley Artists Exhibition, "Small Treasures" - Novato, CA
2001 Indian Valley Artists Exhibition - Novato, CA
2001 La Toscana Restaurant - San Rafael, CA
2001 Three Bags Full, solo exhibit - Mill Valley, CA
2001 Marin Art Festival at the Lagoon - San Rafael, CA
2001 Fabrizio’s Restaurant – Larkspur, CA
2001 Falkirk Cultural Center – San Rafael, CA
2001 Fabrizio’s Restaurant – Larkspur, CA
2000 Visualize Art, auction - San Francisco, CA
2000 City Café, solo exhibit - San Rafael, CA
2000 Indian Valley Artists Exhibition – Novato, CA
2000 Marin Arts Council Open Studios - Corte Madera, CA
1999 Kaiser Permanente - San Rafael, CA
1999 Underground Gallery, “Who Interpreted” – San Rafael, CA
1999 Indian Valley Artists - Novato, CA.

Selected images licensed and distributed by Portal Publications.

© Mary Valente. All rights reserved.
Do not duplicate in any form without permission of the artist.