Meet the Creators & Makers

April 2023

Meet Val...

Val is an artist of mixed media, creating for healing long-lived wounds. In her Instagram profile she says: “We only live once. Be real, be kind, and love others. Our issues are in our tissues.” She is a retired teacher, which helped her healing process through the art of play (reflected on in our conversation). She has lovely little books on IG to check out (see link below).

You can find Val on IG @valloves2create

& a look at one of her books.

Thank you for your time Val!

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Q&A:

  • What does your creative process look like?

    “A Mess!  I see myself as a messy maker, creator, I’ve never been good with coloring within the lines, I’m not a real good rule follower.”  


    Medium:  Mixed media, paper, fiber, thread, mini journals, sewing, stitching, gluing, ....


    I learned how to make little books, a class taught by Beatriz Helton at https://www.beatrizhelton.com/

  • How do you connect creativity & mental health?

    I have depression, complex PTSD, developmental trauma. What happened to me [was not ok.] As a trauma survivor, I like to bring light to mental health. I have lost a good part of my memory. I sought help when my daughters and partner expressed their concerns about my memory.


    People need to know that just about all of us have some kind of traumatic memories and things that have happened. It’s ok to talk about it and let people see you’re a person. 


    * Here are a few of the resources Val shared  which helped her on her journey:

     

    Linda Meredith (Complex Trauma Cert. Recovery Coach),

    Gabor Mate & Compassionate Inquiry, 

    Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score), 

    Peter Levine (Trauma & Memory),

    Dr. Nicole LePera (holistic psychologist),

    Jen Peters (Soul Guide Healer),

    Nate Postlethwait on inner child trauma recovery (PDF), 

    Susie LaFond (mixed media artist, trauma survivor)


  • What words of encouragement do you offer others?

    It’s ok to be vulnerable, and share some of your inner parts, your inner secrets, your struggles and what you’ve gone through and what you’re going through. Expressing it through your art, creating, and making can be very cathartic and helpful. 


    There are people out there that don’t really like it or want to hear it. Find other artists that are like you, that aren’t afraid to open up, and share your stories and your art. 

  • What does your inner kiddo look like?

    She is a scared, insecure little girl that needs a lot of mothering and a lot of acceptance. She’s always looking up to me, taking care of me, helping me feel better about myself and helping me have some fun. She's helping me get out of boxes [… ] I was forced into. 


    She's not all glum though, I see her climbing trees, riding bikes, building forts, playing stick ball in the street. I loved to do gymnastics when I was little. 


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