Meet Valerie Berlage | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie Berlage and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie, why did you pursue a creative career?
Creating art makes me happy, and I have long thought that happiness cannot be overrated. And, in truth, an artist is all I’ve ever wanted to be. I come from a family of artists and makers, so being creative was not only encouraged, it was a shared experience. Whether it was traditional handcrafts, painting, coloring, sewing, woodwork, or whatever- it was done together, and done with love. These memories of my childhood, and the feelings they evoke, are what continue to drive and inspire me today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
While I do work with wood, I often paint it. I have been trying to incorporate more natural wood into some pieces, but my first love is color. My paternal grandmother always told me to use all the crayons in the box when we were coloring, my maternal grandmother loved incorporating all colors into her handcrafts and her gardens, and my mother raised my sister and I in a house that didn’t have any white walls. Color has been shaping my existence since I was born, and has been an important element in my art no matter what form it has taken.

At UNCA I concentrated in mixed media printmaking. This is where pattern and texture also came into play. The process of building up layers of paint or prints, pattern, and texture, and then sanding through to reveal the layers beneath is one that has deeply influenced my current practice. In the future, I have ideas to incorporate more of some of the processes I used in these old pieces, such as embroidery, quilting, and actual printing.

For now, though, I am content to continue exploring my current surface treatment. I make a wide variety of art. Boxes, jewelry, mirrors, tables, functional and non-functional wall sculpture. The surfaces on the mirrors, tables and wall sculpture is all, or at least partly, pieced together. I like to think of it as quilting with wood, although you might call it a form of parquetry.

On a side note, I source much of the wood for these surfaces from other woodworkers. Cutoffs that are too small for others are just right for me. And scraps begat scraps in my studio- what’s leftover from the pieced surfaces is turned into jewelry. I really hate to see anything get thrown away or turned into smoke in the fireplace, and I am increasingly conscious of the preciousness of my medium. While wood is a renewable resource, whole species continue to be over forested, or devastated by destructive pests such as the emerald ash borer.

I can’t say the journey to get to where I am today was easy. I’m not sure that there are many artists who haven’t had to make sacrifices or give up things for their art. But, what a trade off. According to George Sand, “The artist vocation is to send light into the human heart.” I believe that includes the heart of the artist. You keep going, you don’t give up, because, what else is there? As I’ve said, happiness cannot be overrated. I only figured that out about ten years ago. I was so focused on trying to make a living, I had lost focus of my art, and you might say, I was uncomfortable in my existence. I had to get back to it, recommit myself to being an artist. Once I did, things begin to fall into place.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a native of Western North Carolina, I can attest to how much the area has changed. Our beautiful mountains have always been a haven for artists, but the word got out about twenty years ago, and now the joke is that you can’t toss a stone without it bouncing off a woodworker and hitting a potter, and then a painter, and then etc., etc. As a result, we now have a vibrant and bustling art/craft scene with reinvigorated downtowns and districts across WNC.

Asheville, in particular, is a hub of activity. Acclaimed galleries all over town, but I am especially fond of a few places. As a proud member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, I would suggest the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway be the first stop on anyone’s travel itinerary. Housing four galleries, including the oldest continually operating craft shop in the nation and one that showcases a rotating selection of our impressive and historically important permanent collection, as well as being the headquarters for the Guild, and offering daily craft demonstrations and events throughout the year- you don’t want to miss it! The SHCG also has three other shops, two more in Asheville and one in Moses Cone Manor in Blowing Rock, that are also good for a visit.

The River Arts District, or RAD, in Asheville, has also been transformed over the years into the collective home of numerous artist’s studios and galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Find artists in their studios, see demonstrations, take a class, shop for all manner of art, get a meal, take in a movie, or even see a live show. One of my favorite galleries in the RAD is Gallery 17 at Foundation Woodworks. It showcases some of the best wood art in the region, and is conveniently located two doors down from 12 Bones, which offers some of the best bbq in the region.

If you’re equally as interested in nature, and all the amazing outdoor activities the area has to offer, you can start enjoying that in the RAD, as well. Running parallel is the French Broad River, with meandering walking and biking paths, and parks. Head back up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for hiking trails, and amazing scenic overlooks if you just feel like driving.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have occasionally tried to think about what my life would look like if I hadn’t been born into the family I was born into. Without their inspiration, unwavering support, and willingness to always lend a hand, I don’t know if I would have been able to forge my path as an artist. It certainly would have been much more difficult. Along this way I’ve worked as a store visual, retail associate, office assistant, and cleaning staff. Perhaps I would have chosen one of those jobs to keep, and make into a career. Or, earned licensure in something other than art, and been successful in securing a teaching job in a different subject. But, I was thankfully given to a creative, and encouraging family.

I also had the good fortune to assist a local woodworker, Chris Kamm, in his shop, on and off for about a decade. His friendship, and mentorship, have been a great blessing. A wellspring of knowledge, his advice over the years rings in my ears often in my shop (Better is the enemy of good!), and I am grateful for his guidance in whatever subject it’s requested.

During my time working for Chris, I finished the Fine Arts program at UNCA, earned a teaching licensure in K-12 art, and later, entered the Professional Crafts program at Haywood Community College. I learned so much at UNCA, but I will say, I found my people at HCC. It is a fantastic program, and focuses not only on teaching you all aspects of making your craft, but the business side as well. Marketing, studio planning, business planning, and photography are all important aspects of the program. There is such a sense of community there- not only are the instructors invested in the success of their students, but it felt like the students were all invested in each other. And, still are. I am thankful for the friendships that were formed in the studios that are still strong today. I am also thankful for Brian Wurst, the program’s wood instructor. Always encouraging us to find our own design aesthetic, his willingness to help me tackle any crazy idea I had was endlessly inspiring. His continued support and mentorship over the years have been invaluable.

Website: www.laurainelilliestudios.com

Instagram: @laurainelilliestudios

Facebook: @laurainelilliestudios

Image Credits
Steve Mann- table