Valerie Boyd, Selfie – Smile, oil on canvas, 10x20in., $350
My daughter Grace is one of the brightest lights I know. Her smile sparkles with possibility and lights up the world. In “Selfie-Smile,” I interpret her radiance and brilliance with one of my favorite pursuits, oil painting. She shares her smile generously and invites a smile in return. She inspires me daily.

Artist Statement
Valerie Guth Boyd believes that, like exercise, creativity needs to be practiced regularly, preferably daily. Her artistic journey began 20 plus years ago while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She found oil painting provided a language to communicate the beauty and grandeur she sees around her. Color has become a means for her to articulate emotion and convey the reverence she holds for her subjects.

Valerie moved to Dallas in 2013 and delved more deeply into her art and her creative flow. In 2017, she began a series of oil portraits of remarkable women. One hundred are highlighted in her book Badass Women.

When not in her studio, Valerie immerses herself in the rich cultural offerings in the Dallas Metroplex. She participates in various live model studios and attends art workshops. She loves to explore museums, galleries, and art happenings around the metroplex and leads a Museum Group who join her in this pursuit. The summers draw Valerie back annually to Missoula, Montana where she grew up. Accompanied by her husband, two adult children, and three loyal side-kick dogs, she draws creative inspiration from the mountains, rivers, and being in nature.