‘Art is a wonderful naturopath’: Why Valerie Sparrow paints nature
Meet a Tailem Bend woman who loves to capture nature and communicate without words.
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Valerie Sparrow lives a tranquil life encircled by native scrubland near Tailem Bend, not that far from the River Murray.
Since beginning her artistry in china painting in the late 1970s and later advancing to oils, acrylics, watercolours, pastels and charcoal, she has found her distinctive inspiration in nature.
She often finds herself captivated in the moment by the world of nature.
“If I see something beautiful, I have to stop, taking a moment to plan how I can capture the beauty and all the feelings it brings on canvas or on paper,” she said.
She loves to dwell in a spellbound moment, and enjoys the challenges that come with painting or illustrating the magic of nature.
“I’m regularly reinventing myself, trying all sorts of different techniques so as to grasp those exceptional moments,” she said.
Art can often communicate and express things that words cannot.
You can see Ms Sparrow’s work throughout the Coorong region, in galleries and on walls that would otherwise have been blank and lifeless.
“It’s a win-win situation, and I always love seeing my impressions of nature being enjoyed by others,” she said.
As well as improving brain health, painting and drawing can improve personal communication skills, helping people who find it difficult to express themselves in front of people.
It can enhance an individual’s creativity, increase emotional wellbeing, improve memory, and even help with problem-solving and self-esteem.
Painting and drawing are also known to reduce stress.
“Art is a wonderful naturopath and can comfort anyone,” Ms Sparrow said.
It’s an old cliché, but it still rings true: life is like a painting, and you are the artist.
Ms Sparrow’s Tailem Bend Studio Gallery can be found opposite the RAA, on the northwestern corner of South Terrace and Murray Street, at Tailem Bend.
It is open on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm or by appointment.
- Contact Valerie Sparrow about a personal gallery viewing or commissioning: 0419 108 451.
