About

Valérie Gaudemer-Maker

Born in Paris, I grew up in a neighboring town, one of the many painted by the French Impressionists. I was naturally inspired by their love for spontaneous scenes and delicate mastering of light and color. 

After graduating from college, I began a career in art. I enjoyed various forms and learned the art of matting and framing. After framing many pieces for friends and family, I learned watercolor painting and began custom matting my own pieces, extending the subject with watercolor painting onto the mat. The pieces featured a variety of scenes from the diverse landscapes and architecture of France and neighboring countries.

The scenes on my easel expanded to the United States when I moved here in 1998. A few years later I met my husband Tim and we have one daughter, who is also creative.  We live in Acworth, where I joined Gallery 4463 in 2009, the Main Street Gallery in 2015 and as a member of the Acworth Arts Alliance, have been part of the Art of the Park House since December 2017.  I was honored to participate in painting the Martin Luther King Jr. Delsarte Mural in 2009, commissioned by the City of Atlanta and I participate in various local exhibits as a Member of the Atlanta Artists Center. 

My favorite subjects are landscapes, seascapes and old buildings that look like they are proud to show that they made it through the years. I love to paint nature, because  it is always beautiful, even in its most adverse form.

 I choose to focus on watercolor — one of the most challenging media in my opinion — because the result is not always what is sought and the artist must learn to turn the imperfections into new ideas. 

In a new approach, I have also started using a combination of photographs with French custom matting and watercolor painting. For me, it's all about making a special photo or memorabilia even more special. Transforming traditional materials into a new art form.