Bio:

I honestly can’t remember not drawing...
One of my very first memories was my cousin Sue and I chalking pixies on the blackboard in the basement when I was around three...it was the same year I asked Harvey, my next door neighbor, to marry me.

Art blended completely with school starting in first grade when we all painted a mural after visiting the Philadelphia Zoo. It seemed my lion drew enough attention away from my scholastic achievements to begin my career as ‘class artist’...in fact I think my progression through elementary school was directly related to agreements between teachers to hand me ‘up’ to the next classroom as bulletin board decorator, which usually began the week before school started. It made me feel ‘special’ on more than one level.

After receiving a handful of national awards in high school, my guidance councilor convinced me there was no money in an art career. It was a couple of years until I realized that art was the one thing I really wanted to do and so I applied, interviewed and was accepted to Hussian in Philadelphia. I set up a studio at home as an illustrator and designer and applied my talent to magazine layouts, packaging design, logos and various other graphic assignments, which allowed me to work from home and raise two daughters, (with the help of my ever-patient husband). After a dozen years or so as a freelancing, a corporate opportunity was offered and taken. (Anyone with growing children and looming college tuitions will be sympathetic to me selling my soul to the company store for a couple decades.)

The recent economic downturn opened the door of opportunity for me to finally pursue the world of fun and wonder I have only found in children’s picture books. ‘Love what you do’ were only words until I entered this wonderland. I absolutely love drawing, painting and writing funny and fuzzy tails and it’s great to rub elbows with such a creative and generous community of artists.

My studio is located in lovely Skippack, PA where I reside with my husband Robert, daughter Devon and our granddaughter Sami, along with Fergus, the labradoodle, Tyson, the boxer and Pity the cat. Our daughter Rayelle lives in Chestnuthill, PA with her husband, Martin.

As for me, I’m still in love with picture books - and tootsie pops,
...somethings will never change :-)


Writer/Illustrator
Associate
Member since 1998
Region: Pennsylvania: East

Contact Information

Email:  valjonesart@yahoo.com
Website:  http://www.valjonesart.com

Published In Children's Market: No