Valerie Reilly ~ Artist

Embracing the role of artist has been a struggle I have had over the years and am sure many can relate to… from raising children, to needing to make a living, to supporting elderly parents... all have been my reasons to put it on the back burner.

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But somehow art has seemed to be the foundation of everything I have done my entire life.

 

For many years my creativity has leaked out in a variety of ways… decorating homes and businesses, building multiple websites (including this one), writing content for emails and blogs, and photographing as many beautiful places on this earth that I can reach.

 

My practice officially began when I became a Zentangle Teacher in 2013. I learned of it through a colleague and fell in love instantly.  Zentangle, and its effortless repetitive nature, became a true meditation for me. At the time I co-owned a successful holistic healing center for over 20 years, and was very busy keeping the doors open for all who were seeking their own version of peace and healing. So Zentangle was a calming force for me and gave me the peace within that I was looking for at the time.

 

Through Zentangle I met some incredible friends AND artists who inspired and expanded my horizons into all kinds of media. Most importantly, they opened the portal of creativity I was longing to experience and share!  

 

Since Zentangle, I have broadened my proverbial tool-box by taking many art related courses, both professionally and academically. I have learned to create handmade books/journals, from eco dying the paper for covers, to hand tearing the precious internal pages, to binding with intricate thread work. I have painted abstract paintings with both acrylics and watercolors (one of which is the cover of this site); and now my most recent love has been sacred geometry, which has also become a form of meditation and peace for me. I am not only creating the sacred geometry, but am also incorporating the line work of zentangle with an amazing end result, see the gallery and shop to see for yourself. 

 

Being a Reiki Master Teacher since 2002, and teaching thousands of students, everything I make, that is touched with my two hands, is infused with the love and light of pure energy and love. So if you choose to acquire one of my pieces rest assured it will energetically enhance the space around it.

 

My most favorite thing to do is sit at my desk and gaze at whatever is my current inspiration and allow Spirit to guide my hand.  A friend asked me how I knew what to do in a certain area of a piece of work and I said “I have no idea”, lol.  I literally stare until “something”, I choose to call it Spirit,  moves my hand to draw or paint or make the next mark. 

 

My daughter pointed out to me that I have come back to my art practice through my own internal explorations and need to find peace, wise girl that she is! The Voice that has lead me to my creativity comes from deep within, I believe it is my Soul's longing to express and share.  The visions and ideas I have had have been cathartic and fluid and stem from being in the moment, often surprising myself by the outcome when it is complete. I am realizing that BEING an artist takes practice and having a willingness to be wildly courageous and eccentric, no matter other's perspectives.

 

For me, an important part of being an artist is sharing it! Knowing that what I create, finds its way "home" to someone else's home is very important to me.  Creating for the sake of creating doesn't feel quite as worthwhile if it's not shared.  My son said to me recently... "I'm so glad you are finally putting your art 'out there'. If you don't it just ends up stacked up in your studio.'" Another wise child of mine!

 

So here I am sharing it, with all of you! And, from the bottom of my heart, my wish is that you love it and want it either for yourself or someone you love!

 

I promise you... Art = Joy!

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With much love and gratitude,

Valerie

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