Born in London the year before the outbreak of war, Val’s formative years were challenging to say the least. Sanctuary came during periods spent with her grandparents in North Cornwall where she later settled herself for many years.

After a successful career as a Counsellor for people with addictions Valerie turned her attentions to drawing. Upon retiring and settling down to beach life Valerie was able to fully indulge herself into her world of curious cows, terrible terriers and big nostrilled horses.

Having re-trained herself to paint and draw with her left hand, she saw her work loosen up to the point of rabid fluidity. Her lines ebb and flow across the paper to the point when you momentarily wonder where they are going, until the image emerges – right in your face and brimming with attitude, ready to lick your neck, bite your ankle or do worse to your leg.

Depending on her mood Valerie can depict a flared nostrilled horse ready to nuzzle your pockets for treats, a spread-eagled Jack Russell proudly showing off its bits or a cow with Liza Minnelli eyelashes. What you always need to look at are the eyes as this is where she really makes her mark, expressive and the focal point of all her work.

The real brilliance to Valerie’s work is the spontaneity that it positively oozes, she never over works a drawing, each piece is a spontaneous out pouring of energy, deconstructed and free – madcap? Oh yes.

She lived in East Sussex until her death in 2017.