In 2003 Derbyshire Artist Valerie Dalling took a leap of faith embarking on three years of study at the University of Derby, in order to pursue her passion for photography, and in 2006 was very proud to have been awarded her BA in Fine Art Photography with First Class Honours.
Since starting out on her creative path, Valerie has been inspired by many artists and writers including Celia Fiennes, J.M.W. Turner, Barbara Hepworth, Mark Rothko, Edward Hopper, Robert Macfarlane, Paul Hill and John Blakemore to name only a few, but the landscape will always remain her biggest influence and where she feels most at home.
Drawing inspiration from the light, colour, shape and texture of the Derbyshire landscape and beyond, she always keeps an open mind on interpretation from abstract to more representational photography, continually striving to create a unique painterly style, sometimes using nothing more than her phone, although more recently she’s adding to her skills through a growing interest in applying paint to her work.
Moving to the heart of the Peak District in 2016, has opened up new challenges and exciting opportunities for her Journeys Through The Landscape project, in which she explores the views, rivers, people and history within the National Park. When she’s not in her studio, Valerie is either out with her camera and sketchbook making art for herself, or working with the community.
In 2008 she founded The Image Club, launching her first monthly photo forum. From beginners to those with photographic experience, she has always had a particular interest in how others visually respond to the world around them, encouraging discussions on image making, through the sharing of ideas and knowledge, in relaxed and informal environments. Valerie has been involved in numerous commissions, including arts in health and schools, working with both the Derby and Sheffield Hospitals Arts Programme, who commissioned her to set up monthly Image Clubs for members of NHS staff, in order to provide colleagues with a little personal leisure time to relax and enjoy photography together in their place of work and socially.
Award winning artist and coach Valerie Dalling is available for talks, exhibitions, commissions, visual and observational workshops, walks with the camera, collaborative and community focused projects, as well as offering her own range of bespoke limited edition prints and greetings cards.
“My business is to paint what I see, not what I know is there” J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851)
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