Valerie Smith ROI (1936 - 2024)

Statement

Painting and drawing was always a lifelong passion for Valerie. She was largely self taught and never had any formal art college training but she was lucky enough to have several excellent teachers over the years, in particular Leonard Daniels, John Cook and Arthur Easton.

Valerie’s favourite subjects were still life and portraiture including figure studies of friends and musicians both classical and jazz. Colour and light were of paramount importance in Valerie’s work. She liked to work in situ or on location because, for her, that is where the excitement really happened.

Valerie also worked in gouache and for some years studied Chinese Brush Painting, a totally different culture and philosophy. However, oil painting was the medium she loved best.

In 1991 Valerie joined the Reigate Society of Artists and she became a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1997, serving on the Council for many years until 2020. She won the Llewellyn Alexander Award in 1998. 

Valerie exhibited widely including with the RP, RBA and NEAC at the Mall Galleries, but also had work exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, Guildford House, Hicks Gallery, Bourne Gallery, Whittingdon Gallery, Pallant House in Chichester and the Fairfield Halls, Croydon.