Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on ArtsvilleUSA to promote tourism in Asheville, NC. Read the original interview with Valerie Berlage here.
Valerie Berlage isn’t afraid to use every color in the box. Her grandmother Lauraine encouraged her to use bold colors as a child and “just go for it,” a maxim that shines through Valerie’s vibrant jewelry, furniture, and decorative ornaments. Born and raised in Western North Carolina, Valerie quickly absorbed the region’s rich craft heritage by painting folk art with her grandfather in his woodworking shop. Valerie’s grandmothers, Lillie and Lauraine, were equally influential in shaping her burgeoning aesthetic, instructing her in traditional quilting methods and doling out sage advice regarding color choices. While Valerie’s style and process have changed since childhood, her work remains deeply rooted in familial relationships—the woodworker’s space in Leicester, NC, just outside Asheville, is called Lauraine and Lillie Studios.
“My two grandmothers taught me traditional handcrafts like quilting, crochet, and embroidery, and I find that referenced most often in my work,” says Valerie. “You can see this directly related in pieces that have been inspired by crazy quilts, strip quilts, or the granny square or log cabin quilt patterns. But I like to think of all my pieced surfaces as quilting with wood. The colorful textiles that were used then can be seen on individual surfaces now through patterning, textures, and brushstrokes. I alternate brushstrokes with every layer of paint, and then, when sanded lightly, they reveal a crosshatch pattern that is reminiscent of the warp and weft of fabric.”
Built piece by piece, Valerie’s puzzle-like work mirrors the joy and creative play she experienced as a child. Her work exudes the comforts of home and family without forsaking the virtues of curiosity and adventure. “[Just] as a real home is built piece by piece, my work is created layer by layer out of wood and paint, “ says Valerie, connecting her work with familial and cultural heritage. “These elements are layered with geometric shapes to convey a sense of depth and history—sometimes a likeness to an actual ‘home’—but most importantly, joy.”
Want to see Valerie’s studio in person? Art Connections offers customized tours to groups or individuals who want to experience the thriving arts scene in and around Asheville. Schedule a tour by contacting Art Connections here.
In Today's Q+Art Interview...
Valerie Berlage discusses the simple pleasures of morning tea, the wise words “better is the enemy of good,” and why her idea of success involves making art every day.
How do you start your day?
Valerie Berlage: I start my day with a cup of tea. It’s my fifteen to twenty minutes of peace every morning before my brain and body jump into gear. I sit and sip, and if it’s warm enough, I can open the shop door and enjoy the birds chirping, the trees swaying in the breeze, the clouds moving across the sky.
What are you trying to express with your art?
VB: Joy. Whimsy. Fun.
What's your biggest barrier to being an artist?
VB: Myself. I am my own worst critic, and I make things a lot harder on myself than anyone else ever could.
What do you wish you had learned in art school but weren’t taught?
VB: I wish I had been taught how to sell my work in art school. How to effectively market and price my work, how to approach galleries, set up a studio, do an art fair, insurance, deal with taxes, etc. All the business aspects involved with being a full-time artist. I learned a lot working for a local box maker for a number of years, and then when I went through the Professional Crafts Program at HCC, they have a much more comprehensive view of making and selling.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? What’s the worst?
VB: My friend and mentor, Chris Kamm, has always given me great advice over the years, but what I think about the most is: “Better is the enemy of good.” This is something I think about a lot when I’m making. I try to always follow it, but I will confess I have messed up many a good piece because I thought I could make it better. I don’t think I’ve ever been given what I would consider worst advice.
What does success mean to you as an artist?
VB: Being able to make art every day, whether for sale or for play.
What role does the artist have in society?
VB: “The artist's vocation is to send light into the human heart.” — George Sand
Cats or dogs?
VB: Cats.
What does generosity mean to you as an artist?
VB: I don’t really associate generosity with money. As an artist, I would associate it more in terms of kindness, time, knowledge, friendship, love, and gratitude.
Who is your hero of fiction?
VB: Agatha Christie.
Who are your heroes in real life?
VB: My two grandmothers, grandfather, and mother.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity. All photos published with permission of Valerie Berlage.
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