Meet Artist Valerie McCarney

Artist Statement

I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil in my hand. I spent years copying the masters as a child and teen.

I studied business and spent many years in the Travel Industry. Always visiting and collecting art ideas and pictures where ever I went. Although I am primarily self taught , I took classes where ever we lived. And we lived many places and moved often with my husband’s job. When we returned to NY from California, we lived near NYC and I was fortunate enough to be able to study with Daniel Greene, a wonderful artist and teacher. Where I was able to further my love of portraiture and be taught by one of the masters!

We moved to Montreal and then Ottawa, Canada . At that time, I left the Travel Industry and became a fulltime artist. I studied in Centre des Artes Visuals in Montreal and Ottawa School of Arts.

While in Canada, I volunteered at Nursing Homes working with the arts therapist. It was then that I realized how helpful the arts were to me throughout my life. I watched these people gain insight into themselves as artists. I saw the value of the arts as more than just making a pretty picture but as a way to learn more about yourself, to respond to life, to bring up memories and even to heal.

When we returned home to the states. We moved to Saratoga Springs, NY. I worked at the Saratoga Arts Council, in many capacities using my business background. I also taught many different classes. With the help of state grants, I designed and led over 50 murals engaging the young people of the Saratoga Mentoring Program and Arts in Ed programs. I have painted murals in homes, businesses and the NY State Museum of Firefighting , Children’s Discovery Room.

I began to study Expressive Arts and completed a Master’s program in Expressive Arts Therapy in Saas Fee, Switzerland. I began to teach expressive art classes.

We developed a monthly teen night at the Arts Center for local kids to come and play music and express themselves through paint. I taught art and expressive art in schools, residential programs, mental health clinics, hospice, and led private groups at my studio.

I facilitated the Arts council’s Life Drawing Classes for several years. As well as painting art guitars for a high end guitar company. Drawing on my Irish heritage, I paint the landscapes and faces of Ireland. The paintings are both commissioned and sold at Celtic Treasures in NY. I have illustrated a couple of children’s books and a children’s music cd. I also paint sacred art and have been part of a Sacred Art group in Philadelphia.

After 30 years in NY. We recently moved to Virginia. I am still painting and living creatively!

Newest Pieces Available for Purchase

Click on a photo below to learn more about the piece and purchase online. At this time we are not shipping so your piece will be ready to pick up at the gallery.