Valerie  Kletcher, a native of South Carolina, moved to Atlanta in 1983 to further her career in interior design. She worked with The Office Pavilion and then became Director of Design for Design Management Associates, Inc. Clients included J. Smith Lanier & Co. , Health Dyne and Interstate Telephone Company.

In 1986, Ms. Kletcher started her own design firm and a year later was joined by H. Leigh Smith to form Kletcher Smith Interiors, specializing in high-end residential and corporate design. Contract clients include Hi Fi Buys, CSX Sealand, and ITC Holding Company. As a registered interior designer with the Georgia State Board of architects since 1994, she continues to maintain her level of professionalism through continuing education in the field of design.

After 26 years in design, Ms. Kletcher has expanded her fine arts background, pursuing a second career as an artist. She brings her love of color and design into her art, painting vivid impressionist style paintings of her travels in Europe and the United States.

"Blue Bach II"

©2007 v.kletcher

"Color brings me joy. It is my celebration, expression and delight. This is why I paint."

 Recent Shows / Juried Exhibitions

Highlights

• Alabama Pastel Society
  7th Members Exhibition June 2007

• Southeastern Pastel Society
  Members Show May 2007

• The Atlanta Artists Center April 2007
  Dogwood Show Award: Honorable Mention for "After the Wedding" / Pastel

• The Atlanta Artists Center Feb 2007
  Traveling Show Award: Merit Award for "Deja Vu' Monte"/Collage

• South Cobb Arts Alliance 15th National Juried Exhibition / July 2005

• The Atlanta Artists Center / May 2005 Show /First Place

• The Atlanta Artists Center /Jan 2005 Show Winner's Circle /Second Place

• The Connecticut Pastel Society 11th Annual National Exhibition "Renaissance in Pastel" / Nov. 2004

• Degas Pastel Society 10th Biennial National Exhibition / Oct. 2004

• Southeastern Pastel Society 11th International Show / Aug 2004

• The Atlanta Artists Center /Jan 2004 Winners Circle Show

• The Connecticut Pastel Society 10th Annual National Exhibition "Renaissance in Pastel" / Sept 2003

• The Atlanta Artists Center Southeast Regional Show "Regional View: Art in the Southeast"/ Sept.2003

• Southeastern Pastel Society Members' Juried Exhibition / June 2003

• Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art Metro Montage  Jan. 2002, 2003

• Connecticut Pastel Society Ninth Annual National Exhibition "Renaissance in Pastel"/ Nov. 2002

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Artist's Statement

"Influenced by Matisse , Dufy and Bonnard, I draw inspiration from the Impressionists' pursuit of light and the Fauves' love of expressive color."

Atmosphere and light, a myriad of colors and expressive marks-I incorporate these elements into my work, which originates from special places that speak to me.

I begin with a strong gestural underpainting of passages which act not as a rigid template, but as a guide, allowing freedom to build up layers of expressive color and mark. Each new element is considered in relation or in response to the others, setting up a rhythmic dialogue between the hand and the canvas.

Spontaneity invites discovery and creativity, taking me on another kind of journey, which allows my joy and inner vision to be re-created on canvas.

"Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and color, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end, or almost to the end of the day."

-Sir Winston Churchill

(1874-1965)

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