Paula Valenzuela
Piedmont, CA
I am a Chilean mixed media abstract painter and psychotherapist. My work is about bringing connection, healing and beauty from our inner and outer world.
MessageBorn in Chile, I became interested in art and began learning from a few notable Chilean artists at the age of 15, participating in group exhibitions and private collections in Chile.
As the years passed, I became interested in psychology. I pursued a professional career in Clinical Psychology and Public Health at UC Berkeley, while keeping my art practice private.
I moved to the Bay Area in 2001 and became involved with the effervescent art Mission District community–learning printmaking and creating public commissions for the University of California, San Francisco’s new development, the Mission Bay District.
After many years of clinical practice in Chile, I returned to the U.S committed to integrate my passion for fine art with my love of psychology, mindfulness and the healing arts. I am currently working as a full time abstract artist in the ICB (Industrial Center Building), located in Sausalito’s historic Marinship District.
My work explores the connection of darkness and light within us, the complexity of layers that we show to others and to ourselves and the interconnection of conscious and unconscious aspects in our lives.
I am interested in the cycles of the human experience, specially the internal and spiritual transformations between the birthing and dying processes. My inspiration comes from the textures and colors found in nature, specially the desert and the skies and the collective symbols used by ancient cultures.
My signature process starts by creating complex layers. And by covering and excavating over and over, I bring the hidden history to the surface…Like therapy–making the unconscious conscious.
I create artwork that helps you find peace in the healing process of integrating dualities.
There’s light and dark in you. And there’s beauty in connecting with your inner world.
Statement
My artwork explores the connection of darkness and light within us, the complexity of layers that we show to others and to ourselves. Covering and uncovering, scratching to unveil the essence.
As an artist by passion and psychologist by training, I am interested in exploring the unconscious and human process that we all go through when embraced in an act of spontaneous creativity, without preconceived ideas. Painting for me is a way to be open to the moment, to be fully present in my body and mind.
My work process is exploratory, always venturing into unknown territory, utilizing multiple materials and textures. I work with pouring mediums, fluid acrylics, resins and pigments that allow me a flowing movement and to be surprised every time.
I work through several paintings at once, mixing, dripping, scratching painting, covering, uncovering, brushing and scratching again… until I get to a place with each piece that reflects a moment in time, the unexpected.
The colors and textures of the desert inspire me and remind me of my home country, Chile, connecting me to my origins. The combination of natural and mineral colors result in images seem directly related to patterns found throughout the natural world, rather microscopic or aerial.
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