Valerie Ellis

Valerie Ellis is an artist, formerly a psychotherapist, living near London. She makes abstract expressionist oil paintings and works on paper. Valerie gained her degree in psychology from the prestigious University of Queensland, Australia where she lived for decades after moving from the UK where she grew up.

Retiring from psychology after 20 years in private practice, attuned to intrapersonal dynamics, Valerie’s artwork uniquely reflects psychological themes like the effect of context and childhood on people, and how art communicates human needs symbolically.

Returning to the UK in 2019, Valerie also returned to her artistic practice. Motivated by her own emotionally deprived childhood and sympathy for her clients, Valerie Ellis’ work continues to express her concern for psychological issues and for the welfare of those who suffer emotionally.

"My art career started, as it tends to for artists, with childhood talent, with realistic drawing. Later, I taught myself oil painting but remained allied to representational work. In 2020, I felt a tension between the pleasure of making beautiful portrait paintings admired by others and making artwork with more depth and purpose...after all...the world has enough pretty pictures...

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Uni of Queensland
Honours Degree, Psych, Uni of Queensland
Graduate Diploma, Business - Australian Institute of Business

2019 - 'Still Life', Waterworks Gallery, Brisbane
2021 - 'Touch Me', Espacio Gallery, Shoreditch, London
2021 - ING Discerning Eye Exhibition, London
2021 - The Other Art Fair, Shoreditch, London
2022- 'Spread Too Thin', Noho Studio, London