November is here, the holidays are near, and with every new release, the Well + Wonder collection feels more and more festive! From florals to small works to landscapes, the influx of artwork before the hosting season has us feeling jolly and happy and festive. Someone else who has us feeling festive ahead of the holidays…new artist Liz Valentine! Liz has always loved art and design. Starting in high school, she studied portraiture and continued with figure drawing in college. Today, she creates abstract and non-objective pieces meant to complement and elevate interiors and spaces. In addition to abstracts, she is a talented portrait artist for both children and pets. With a focus on large format, Liz strives to use her work to create more interesting, colorful and dynamic environments. When she paints, she looks for movement, color, and organic shapes. She often tries to capture a state of mind in her work, manifesting specific feelings, thoughts, and surroundings. Liz currently lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her husband and four children. As we prepared for Liz to join (she launches on Monday, November 9th!) the Well + Wonder team, we sat down with her to chat and learn a little more about the person behind the paintings...Read the full interview in our latest blog post, Pardon Me, Liz Valentine!
What is currently on your nightstand?
A stack of books—some finished, some in progress. A big glass of water. Piles of baby things—pacifiers, burp cloths, and the like. I just had my fourth child in October!
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
My husband. He was the one who first encouraged me to pursue this dream—and ultimately to leave my corporate career in 2022. He continues to make daily sacrifices to protect my time to create, wholeheartedly supporting and championing me as a working artist.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
My first few weeks at boarding school at age 14. I was immediately in awe of the people around me and struck by this feeling of endless inspiration and possibility. It was during my freshman year that I was first exposed to a scholarly, serious approach to the study of art, which had a lasting impact on me.
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
Charcoal! It was the first tool I ever used, and it always brings me back to how I originally began studying art—through drawing.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it
We are currently in the midst of an addition, so I anticipate that our new loggia will become the space I enjoy most—a serene, inviting extension of our living room, but outdoors. My walls are already filled with artwork, so I’m looking forward to the challenge of finding outdoor pieces that will work beautifully in this space as well.
What is your biggest score online?
Vintage rugs on Etsy. There are so many incredible vendors online, and I love the look of layering colorful vintage rugs over sisal to bring warmth and color into a space.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
Trust your gut and buy what you love. Don’t overthink it, and don’t get too caught up in what you think other people would choose or like. I often find that clients worry too much about dimensions, placement, or whether a piece will fit perfectly into a particular space. Personally, I’m constantly moving artwork around, and I love how placing a piece on a different wall can completely transform a room—or even change the way you experience the artwork itself. Nothing is permanent, so have fun with it and let your space evolve with you!
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
The Musée d’Orsay. I was there recently in May, and I was reminded that the architectural beauty of the space alone is so captivating. I’m drawn to the color, movement, and atmosphere of Impressionism, and especially to the ways it has continued to influence and inspire contemporary painting. The VMFA in Richmond, Virginia is spectacular as well. I love how it spans such a wide range of artistic periods, movements, and styles, offering such a rich perspective on the evolution of painting.
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
My husband and I love to travel and discover new places and hotels, but a few standouts are Le Sirenuse in Positano, the attention to detail and curated art collection are fabulous; Rosewood Amsterdam, another art-forward hotel that beautifully balances contemporary and traditional design; and The Coral Sands on Harbour Island, which is our favorite family hotel. They’ve mastered the combination of family-friendly ease and old-school elegance.
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
A red with coral undertones —it’s rich but warm and can flex between seasons.
I can never get on a plane without….
A good book!
How did you get into the world of art?
My passion started in high school with a very traditional education in drawing. From there, it grew.
What do you do to relax?
I’m very active, so on a regular basis, I try to squeeze in a workout and a walk outside. I also love time with my girlfriends. Whether it’s a dinner out or a weekend away, I always feel fulfilled—and a little more like myself—after spending time with them.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
There’s nothing predictable about it! But whenever I take a break from painting, particularly while traveling or on vacation, I’m always buzzing to get back into the studio with a head full of new ideas.
Prediction for the Color of 2027?
I’m going to go with my personal favorite color to work with: an earthy green.
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
A good meal with my husband will always be at the top of the list. It’s hard to have an adult conversation at home with four small kids, so creating the space to simply sit down and talk is key.
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
I love the portraits I did of my children—charcoal on paper. But as far as paintings go, there’s a large 48” x 60” piece that I thought was finished three or four times before it was finally hung in my house. I kept coming back to it for months. It was also one of the first pieces where I felt a sense of creative flow throughout the entire process. I trusted my mood and reactions to bring something special to the canvas. It symbolizes a turning point in my practice, when I began to trust my instincts and develop a style that felt distinctly my own.
One piece of advice for buying original art?
Go with your gut. If you love it, you’ll find a space for it.
