I am a visual artist, illustrator, photographer, designer, and educator.
Cross culture defines who I am. I grew up in Paris in an Italian family, Brooklyn NY was my home for over 20 years, and live now in Southern Arizona. French accent, Italian blood, Brooklyn spirit, desert lover.
What I am made of
My Italian mother brought me into the world at the American Hospital in Paris. I educated my eyes at l'Ecole Nationale des Arts Appliqués et des Métiers d'Art and built my taste working for the “crème de la crème” of the French fashion magazines. My parents taught me rigor, ethics, pride, and cooking as an art form. Years later I took the American citizenship. In New York, jazz musicians became my family. Influenced by their conceptual music, my art developed into what it is today.
Areas of expertise
VISUAL ART Visual stories reflecting on the relationship we have with each other (humans, animals, plants … ). My mediums are black ink drawings and gouache paints on paper.
ILLUSTRATION Inspired by color combinations and graphics found in my surroundings, I start with hand drawn black ink lines. The final illustrations are done digitally with flat colors inspired by screen printing.
SCULPTURE Pieces inspired by intertwined abstract organisms reflecting on duality. The clay pieces are hand built. The soft sculptures are made with fabric from my worn beloved clothes.
BRANDING Identities for non-profit and small businesses. All in one, my expertise as a creative includes everything a company needs for its marketing, from packaging or store signage to web design and social media, often incorporating my own visuals, illustration and photography.
EDUCATION Taught design at the New York City College of Technology CUNY. My curriculum reflects a mix of creative and academic practice to build critical thinking and imagination within the framework of today’s technology.
CLIENTS The Horticultural Society of New York, Resistence Communications, Generation Branding and Communication for North Bennet street school magazine, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Barbès Records, Park Slope Food Coop, Chilmark General Store, Pilates Garage Studio, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Stewart, Tabori & Chang and Chic Simple Publications, Vogue, Glamour and Marie-Claire magazines, Victoria’s Secret Catalogue, Le Bon Marché and Frank & Fils - Paris.
“Working with Valeria was an exceptional experience. She demonstrated a rare combination of strategic thinking and artistic excellence that transformed my initial website into compelling visual narratives. Her combination of insight and artistic expertise brought to life a professional and elegant website that I am very proud of. Highly recommended for any business seeking thoughtful, results-driven creative solutions.”
—Pianist-composer Sylvie Courvoisier, Brooklyn-based native of Switzerland and winner of Germany’s International Jazz Piano Prize in 2022.