About the Artist
Dr. Irina Valentin, M.A., Ph.D., SCA
Art of Emotions
Irina grew up in a family of professional photographers and artists, who developed her passion for visual art and introduced her to painting with oil. Her skills in geometry and drawing were developed first at the University of Architecture in Kiev, Ukraine. She then was very involved with international studies related to Golden Section; this brought her to fascination with structure of nature as well as brain perception of visual information. Irina then continued her education at York University, Toronto and has received there Master's degree in Art followed by Ph.D. in Psychology. Irina has practiced neuropsychology for near two decades and applied art therapy to treatment of some of her patients. The turning moment in her career was when her husband got serious health issues. To deal with stress, Irina downsized her clinical practice and applied art therapy to herself. Her knowledge of brain functioning, recent neuropsychological research on art and the role of one's life experience in relation to personal communication and perception have influenced the way she paints.
Irina works with acrylics and oils from her studio in Ontario during summers and Florida during winter seasons. She is an elected member of the Federation of Canadian Artists as well as the Society of Canadian Artists. She is also a member of the American Society for Art of Imagination and The National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society. She has presented her work in shows and exhibitions in the USA and Canada.
Artist's Statement: I believe art has power to heal, change and be an avant-garde of society. It speaks to us using visual language and awake our consciousness. It helps us to connect to nature and others. I seek emotional connection, not photo representation in my paintings. I call it Art of Emotions. I am an artist who is drawn to and by the spiritual and emotional power of the natural world as well as connection of people to the world. I like to tell stories with my art but also often look toward natures drama, power and beauty.
