Meet Valerie Simoneaux | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie Simoneaux and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is a scary thing. Growing up a common thing I would hear is, “keep art as a side hobby and find another job that you can make good money in.” But deep inside I knew what my heart wanted and that was to be an artist. I had a plan to go to college for entrepreneurship but took the risk in not going and started my own business with art, which is known as Val’s Designz, and by taking that nerve-wracking risk I now share my art all around Southeast Texas, as well as some areas in the United States.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art style focuses mainly on realism portraits as well as mural work. Drawing through realism portraits allows me to express emotions and creativity through the faces. One of my favorite paintings is an acrylic painting In 2018 I did of Rocky Balboa at the end of his fight scene when he had just won. During that painting it was a time where I realized I needed change in my life, and I needed to fight for what I wanted because I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. At that moment I decided to set focus on my goals, and to not settle until I got what I wanted. 4 years later and a lot has drastically changed in a good way and I was able to achieve some of the goals I set and am ready to achieve more in the next couple of years.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would show them some of the small businesses on Boston Avenue in Nederland as well as some of the art painted around town by local artists. I would take them to visit local coffee shops like The Golden Cup and The Avenue. I would also take them to try some restaurants around town like Wheelhouse that’s by the Port Neches River.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been interested in art since I could hold a pencil. Although I always had an interest for it I didn’t grow a love and passion for it until I got into high school, which is where I met my first art teacher Mrs. Smith. She saw potential in my artwork and gave me the opportunities to grow as a young artist at the time and connect my art with the community, and aside from her helping me, she inspired me, and by her doing that has helped me get to where I am today.

Website: https://valsdesignz.bigcartel.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/uhh.valerie?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
Kenyan Guidry