Valda Robison

“I have always been fascinated by the visual contrasts in the world around me – light, color, textures –  but most of all, I marvel at the way sunlight plays on ordinary objects and transforms them to a reflection of the One who created it all. I strive to capture that Divine nature in my art."

Valda paints with a soft realism, playing on the drama of sun-lit subjects surrounded by rich dark backgrounds. While Valda’s passion is for watercolor, she also enjoys working with colored pencil, graphite and charcoal, and pen & ink.

A self-taught artist, Valda began exploring watercolor and drawing mediums when approaching retirement. “I like to say that I went to the ‘Library School of Art’ in that I spent several years learning from instruction books written by many fine artists, and have studied color and composition from books about the art of the Masters. I have been greatly influenced by the Dutch Masters and their dramatic lighting.” Valda continues to develop her art by taking periodic watercolor workshops and, of course, “refresher courses” at the library.

Valda’s artwork has been accepted into local juried exhibitions, including the Images Art Show and the Heartland Artist Exhibition, and has won several awards. One of her watercolor paintings, Sprouted Onion, was selected as a finalist in the 2008 Watercolor magazine Cover Competition. Valda is a member of the Greater Kansas City Art Association and is associated with the Northland Exposure Artists’ Gallery, a co-op gallery in Parkville, Missouri.

Valda lives in Overland Park and teaches watercolor to adults. “I thoroughly enjoy helping others experience the joy of painting with this transparent medium. I feel I gain as much if, not more, from interaction with my students. Teaching is a great motivator.”

Visit Valda’s website at www.ValdaStudio.com