 a r t i s t o f t h e m o n t h
Interview with Dolores Valenza
by Rocío Heredia
Can you explain your use of drawings in the art process?
I usually make a maquette for my sculptures and a drawing for paintings. At times a maquette of clay for some of my paintings is made as well.
At BTDesign Art Gallery we have already featured artists who experienced sickness and found art as an escape from physical sufferance. I was wondering how your health problems have affected your creativity. Can you talk about your own journey and how your experience in 1980's affected your work?
While I do have some serious health problems, I do not dwell on them, though they are always there. Can't say I suffered from them either. We all have some problems in our lives we would rather not have, but life is like that for us all. I am fortunate that I have just continued to work as I always have and will do so as long as I am able.
You are not only an artist you are an art teacher. You have strong interest in both creating art and teaching. Do you think that your experience of receiving formal education from Masters such as Pascal Rocco, Isaac Soyer and Bruce North, amongst others, was the origin of your desire to become an art teacher?
Perhaps, but in general most artists are always studying and learning. You are asked so many questions and in answering you teach. Pascal Rocco was for me a model. He is a kind gentle person. Taught me how to look at what I was doing, the light, shadows, color etc. He left nothing out that would help you as some teachers do, unfortunately.
I've mentioned Isaac Soyer, who was a wonderful person, a super artist. He helped more than he would ever know.
How has teaching influenced your work, and what of that do you wish to impart to your students?
Encouragement. I think one has to first find the good in a student's work, where they are improving, point that out to them, make suggestions about what they might do. Ask them if they agree. It helps too to know the limitations a student may have. Some of my students had vision problems, but they wanted to paint very much. They had talent and drive, but needed guidance and encouragement. Some beautiful works came about that way.
Really, I feel that one can teach new methods, new tools, materials etc. Talent you can't give or teach, but if you want to be an artist, it's sure a great help having it. The teacher has to work around all problems.
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