Valerie received a Bachelor’s of Science in Arts and Letters from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. Her studies included visual arts, the performing arts and literature. After college she performed dance with the Benny Bell Dance Troupe in Portland Oregon and did acting and dancing with the Virus Theater Group in New Mexico. Throughout her working career she participated in life drawing groups in both New Mexico and California and. She also took online courses and workshops to improve her painting skills. In 2016 she started studying clay figurative sculpture at JCLee School of Sculpture in Auburn California, where she became an assistant/instructor. She continues to find educational opportunities through workshops and online courses. Valerie has been showing her work since 2014.