North Carolina’s Valerie Berlage likes to think that her colorful and playful art is like quilting with wood.
Artist: Born and raised in the Asheville area, Berlage graduated with a BFA with a concentration in mixed media printmaking from University of North Carolina Asheville.
After graduating in 2003, she returned to UNC-Asheville two years later to earn a K-12 Art teaching license. She also attended the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College, graduating in 2014.
Company/Studio: Lauraine Lillie Studios, named for Berlage’s two grandmothers, is based in her home studio in Leicester, NC. The artist has been focused on wood as her medium since 2009.
In the beginning: Berlage grew up in a loving family of makers. Her grandfather was a woodworker. Her mother and grandmothers practiced painting and traditional handcrafts.
During and after college, she worked for a woodworker, and eventually decided to pursue wood as her medium.
Art & materials: Wood jewelry, ornaments, boxes, mirrors, small tables, decorative wall hangings and more 3-D wall sculptures with hidden compartments.
All are made from wood, mostly domestic, local species (such as poplar, ash, oak, cherry, walnut and maple). Thought she uses bits of exotics, as well, anything painted is poplar or birch plywood.
What’s popular: Ornaments, jewelry and boxes ($30 to $140). Also small hanging landscapes ($275).
Other favorites: Tables and larger wall sculptures ($2,400 to $4,000).
Favorite tools: Paintbrushes. “I love the painting, but the best part is sanding lightly after to reveal the textures and colors beneath,” said Berlage.
Inspirations:
- Memories from her childhood.
- Handcrafts learned as a young girl.
- Love for color and pattern that her grandmothers and mother instilled in her.
- Nature and the beautiful mountains surrounding her.
Fun or special requests: Earlier this year, she was asked to create three house boxes (image shown at right) that were slanted and painted to accompany and complement a large, vibrant painting with houses by Mark Bettis, an Asheville painter.
“It was so much fun to deviate from my production boxes,” said Berlage. “And create something even more whimsical than usual.”
What’s next: Three upcoming shows, including:
- “Embellishment.” An annual Southern Highland Craft Guild member (SHCG) exhibition at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC. Sept. 16 to Jan. 17, 2024
- “Warp & Weft,” a month-long exhibition at the Flow Gallery in Marshall, NC. Sept. 21.
- A group exhibition of five SHCG members in the Focus Gallery at the Folk Art Center in Asheville. Nov. 17 to Feb. 19, 2024.
Where to buy: laurainelilliestudios.com
Get social:
- Facebook: Laurainelilliestudios
- Instagram: @laurainelilliestudios
