ABOUT

Valerie Greeley R.M.S., H.S. grew up in Bury, Lancashire and studied art at Manchester School of Art, now know as Manchester Metropolitan University, where she gained a First Class BA Honours degree in textile design. She has lived and worked for most of her working life in the Staffordshire/Cheshire borders, an area of natural beauty and industrial heritage. Her inspiration comes from nature and in particular the flora and fauna found in the hedgerows and woodlands that surround her home.

She is internationally known as a decorative artist whose intricate and very detailed style of illustration has become a defining feature. Her artwork has been featured on many products, including ceramics, printed textiles, stationery and children’s books. Her design work has also been exhibited widely at various venues including the following trade fairs – Texprint at the Design Centre and The Courtauld Institute, London and Surtex, New York.

Her original watercolour illustrations are in private collections throughout the world and have been exhibited at the Chris Beetles Gallery London, “Illustrators” 1992 and 1995. Also Books Illustrated Ltd “The Art of Christmas” 2008 at The Air Gallery London. In 2014 through to 2018 she exhibited some of her watercolour miniatures at the Mall Gallery in London in The Royal Society of Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers annual exhibition. She has also been a regular exhibitor with The Hilliard Society in their annual exhibition in Wells Town Hall.

In 2016 she was made an Associate member (ARMS) of The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers and was awarded a Golden Bowl Honourable Mention and The Elizabeth Meek Award. In 2018 she was made a full member of the society (RMS). In 2018 she was awarded The Nicholas Hilliard Award by The Hilliard Society in Wells for her miniature painting "Moldywarp". In 2019 she was elected as a full member of The Hilliard Society. In 2021 her painting "Golden Silence' was voted joint best in show by The Hilliard Society visitors. In 2021 she on "Best Group Award" and A Golden Bowl Honourable Mention for her miniature paintings exhibited by The Royal Miniature Society.

In June 2022 she won "The President's Choice award" for her painting of a Tawny Owl at The Hilliard Society's Annual Exhibition of Miniaturists in Wells. Valerie exhibited her miniature paintings at the RMS exhibition at the Bankside Gallery in London in 2023, she also took part in the Hilliard Society exhibition in Wells.

Valerie has written/illustrated a number of books both for children and adults. They have been published by a wide range of international publishing companies including Blackie and Son Ltd., Harper Collins, Kingfisher, Penguin, Peter Bedrick, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster, Berghs, Annet Betz, Human and Rousseau, Meisinger, Flammarion, Siebert, Intervisual, Andrews and McMeel, World International, Thomas Nelson and Long Barn Books.