The Visual Arts program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University has welcomed Anna Valdez as November Artist-in-Residence. A culminating exhibition of the work she has created while here will be displayed on Friday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Graceful Arts Center during the December First Friday Art Walk.
Valdez also will conduct a drawing/painting still life workshop for the community of Alva Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Graceful Arts Center. The holiday-themed workshop is open to the public, the cost is $15 for the materials.
Valdez, originally from Oakland, California, studied Sociocultural Anthropology and video animation at the University of California in Davis. In 2013 she received a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Boston University.
Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States. Valdez’s work has been featured in New American Paintings, Fresh Paint Magazine, and she has been featured on numerous art blogs.
Valdez is a visual artist and showcases many of her paintings in still-life pieces. These arrangements have been composed of various household items such as her clothes, quilts, scarves, blankets, houseplants, drawings, paintings, books, records and vessels.
While at Northwestern Valdez has used the resources of the Natural History Museum in Jesse Dunn for inspiration. She says as a still-life painter she appreciates being able to check out objects for her work.
Valdez began her residency at Northwestern on Nov. 7 and has been working in the Jesse Dunn Art Annex, room 323. She has been assisting Kyle Larson, assistant professor of art, in the teaching of Visual Arts courses and providing feedback to the visual arts students.
“Anna builds an environment full of color and contrasting patterns wherever she goes, and her paintings are conceived and grow out of this environment,” Larson said. “The organic process in which Anna works is backed by a deep knowledge of art history and the history of painting, in addition to an incredible work ethic. The students and I are fortunate to have Anna at Northwestern for the month of November, and I am certain Anna will have a positive impact on the students and community.”
Valdez has enjoyed her transition from city life to small town Oklahoma. She says it has given her a chance to focus on her work and de-stress from the busy California lifestyle. Valdez’s paintings are inspired by interacting and perceiving the environment and translating it. Her interaction with students also influences her work.