Clarissa Patrianova Valaeys

An art director turned into artist after a long career in advertising and design.

I abandoned my dream of being an artist to pursue graphic design university in Brazil during my youth. I then moved to NYC to finish my studies at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and worked as a graphic designer and art director in advertising for more than a decade, before moving to Europe in 2011.

While living in France and Switzerland I became a creative consultant for world class brands such as Rolex, Havas, Tag Heuer, Chopard, etc. It allowed me to make a comfortable living but it did not completely align with my values and creative needs.

During the confinement I went back to my art after a 20 year hiatus. It was stronger than me. I wanted to make art for my own walls, something that made me feel more at home. Then it hit me: I never felt home ever since I left Brazil in 2000. I truly believe that my obsession with painting tropical plants is a way of bringing a bit of that lush nature that surrounded and supported me in my youth, back into my life again. It helps me ground myself in a whole new way.

I had to change my work life around this new found need: creating nature inspired art for elevating spaces.

Bachelor in Arts and Design - UFPR Brazil
School of Visual Arts - NYC

Solo exhibition - Studio Lu Monin - Pully, Switzerland 2021
Collective Exhibit - Lausanne Art Show - Lausanne, Switzerland 2021
Collective Exhibit - Montreux Art Fair - Montreux, Switzerland 2021
Solo exhibition - Café Agnès - Gland, Switzerland 2022
Solo exhibition - Espace L - Geneva, Switzerland 2022
Solo exhibition - Jungle Pop design - Geneva, Switzerland 2023
Collective show - Caran d'Ache gallery - Lausanne, Switzerland 2024