We were lucky to catch up with Valerie Allen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Valerie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on was the opportunity to paint live with a symphony orchestra. It all started the day I was working as a curator for an arts nonprofit and the executive director for the Saginaw Bay Symphony walked in wanting recommendations for an artist to paint with the orchestra. As I am also a visual artist, I raised my hand up in the air and said “I’ll do it! I would love to do this project. This type of collaboration has been a dream of mine.” They choose me!

The conductor, Fouad Fakhouri, called from New York to invite me and also gave me the time to show up to the concert. I mentioned that I would love to attend rehearsals as well. He was surprised but pleased and I attended each rehearsal to layout my plan for the final concert. He gave me the freedom to create the painting in my own abstract style. The music was chosen with colors and art in mind and I felt the flow immediately as I painted. The composers chosen were Haydn, Torke, and Copland. The music was inspirational. My palette was Pyrrole Red, Carbon Black, Titanium White, and Payne’s Grey on gallery-wrapped canvas.

The exhilaration you feel performing live is magical. I appreciated the musicians creative process and admired the maestro’s leadership. The stage where we performed was a historical setting with wonderful acoustics, gold leaf ceilings and restored architecture. The beautiful and majestic Temple Theatre is located in Saginaw, Michigan. Absolutely breathtaking. The final performance, “Vivid Colors, Dance and Beauty” was in February 2020, right before the pandemic locked down the world.

To my extreme pleasure, I received a call, four years later, to do a repeat collaboration with the symphony. This validated that visual art could add a dimension for the audience to appreciate music and painting in a different way. All of the arts are so deeply connected in process and practice. I felt I was a very lucky artist to be a part of a live performance again. Truly memorable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been a visual artist my entire life. Every job I’ve had or opportunity I’ve accepted ties closely with visual art. My career path has included working for a printing company, interior design for a retailer, a curator for an arts nonprofit, and being a teaching artist and lecturer. As a visual artist, I’m represented in galleries and sell online as well. You can find my paintings at ADC Fine Art in Cincinnati as well as my studio in Midland, Michigan at Geisler Enterprises.

In 2021 I founded an arts podcast called Art Ladders: The Creative Climb with my artist husband Armin Mersmann. We are now on our 94th episode. The podcast has been a great way for us to keep in touch with many artists and art professionals. Opportunities that have developed as a result of our podcast are artist residencies, teaching for an art-related cruise to France, presenting a TED-style talk at my alma mater, University of Cincinnati, School of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning, and of course, all the many new friends we have made through Art Ladders. In episodes 82 and 83 you will hear more about Maestro Fouad Fakhouri and our collaboration with the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I feel that society needs to protect the educational system by providing the arts for young artists at both the elementary and secondary level. Through our podcast, one of the questions we ask our guests is to describe the first glimmers of choosing art as their journey. I would say 99.9% of our artist guests reflect the importance of an experience in art between the age of 3 to 10.

It is amazing to hear stories such as, “my parents gave me art supplies at a young age, my elementary school teacher told me my art was worthwhile, a high school art teacher encouraged me to reach for the stars in art, that I could do anything I wanted.” These statements from accomplished artists definitely emphasize the importance of the arts in education. Visual art, music, performing arts provide affirmations that are so important for young people.

The creative process is not only important to artists but also to any profession. Problem solving, being adaptive to challenging situations, and keeping curiosity a priority is mandatory for our lives in these times. I believe our creative ecosystem will ultimately provide solutions to situations such as climate change, economic reform, and creating educational opportunities for all.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I often think about the power of networking for visual artists. You’ve heard the phrase “it’s who you know, not what you know”. That statement can seem trite but in reality, it is the people you connect with who bring you opportunities as an artist.

Showing up to art openings, cold calling to galleries to see if they are right for you, public speaking to groups can all feel a bit awkward but are necessary in building an art career. Joining art groups can also be beneficial in leading artists to unique supplies, calls for artists, and job posts. The networking techniques used in the corporate world can be adapted to the art world easily. Being a hermit or recluse in this social media saturated art community we live in today is not an option. Being prepared with a quick “elevator” speech, updated website, and art-related CV are all necessary to advance today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://valerieallenart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerieallenart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valerieallenstudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-allen-5537197/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valerieallenart7266
• Other: https://adcfineart.com/search?q=Valerie+allen&type=product

Image Credits

profile photo: Morley Photography.