Hello & Welcome! I’m so happy you’re here!
I’m Valerie, artist, designer, and art journaling inspirer.
The process of creating something helps me process life and find meaning. I’ve found that putting what is inside me out on paper, or other surface, helps name what I’m going through, release it and review life more objectively. In that way art making has become part of my life’s practice and healing journey.
New in 2025
I’ve always noticed and looked for patterns. When I was 15 years old, my class took a career strength survey test. When my survey results came back I was devastated. Far above other possibilities for jobs, pattern maker was at the top. I asked what that meant, but no one seemed to know. My mind filled in the blank with visions of “Laverne & Shirley’ television episodes of me being ridiculous on a production line, or on a machine somewhere arranging sewing pattern pieces on tissue paper. That was years ago and the lightbulb connection didn’t come on until 50 years later in 2025.
One thing I’m learning in real time is that It’s never too late and nothing is wasted. All the years of art making, journaling, doodling and designing have put together a body of work that can be deconstructed, added to, and built on to make beautiful patterns to put on products.
Pattern Design
One thing I love is designing patterns. Since 2017 I’ve been designing stencils and sharing creative ways to use them to make beautiful art. You can check out my designs at StencilGirl Products®. I also have numerous stenciling video tutorials on my blog. Recently, in 2025 I’ve ventured into pattern design and loving reconstructing and designing for repeatable patterns on products. After taking the Immersion course taught by Bonnie Christine, I found I could learn programs like Adobe Illustrator and enjoy making repeating patterns. I worked diligently, got certified, and the beautiful world of pattern design is opening up. So many designs are wanting to be made and I’m excited to make them.
Learning & Education
As a life-long learner, I take joy in learning new art processes and ways of making life more beautiful. At the age of 45 I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, being the first woman in my family to get a college degree. I’ve attended and taught numerous art workshops over the years; locally taught classes in my studio for more than a decade, volunteered in the Art Literacy program at an elementary school, and taught art journaling classes for seniors at local libraries. For ten years, I taught Art and Art History to Jr. High and High School students and have exhibited paintings in local galleries and exhibitions over the years.
One of my favorite things was working on a team where I developed art integration courses for teens with other teachers. Making art with others and teaching Art workshops have brought me great joy. I absolutely love sharing in the ‘Aha’ moment with people as they discover they can do something they previously thought was out of reach.
Being on the Archer & Olive Ambassador team in 2024-25 was also rewarding and increased my Instagram and marketing learning. I love working with others, learning new things and exploring ideas.
Books & Publications
The Prayerful Doodling book published in 2018, is an outgrowth of my spiritual direction training combined with my personal experience of art expression. In 2016 I worked on, and published through Taunton Press, two faith-based coloring books, Colorful Blessings and Colorful Blessings: Celebrating Everyday Wonders. In the book Paintings, Prayers, and Passages, I tell my faith journey through art. You may also find my Bible Journaling in Complete Guide to Bible Journaling and inspirational images in the Holy Bible: Mosaic, as well as in magazines such as Somerset Studio and Art Journaling, Coloring Studio, and Somerset Apprentice.
MY MOTTO
Love God - Serve Others - Make it Beautiful
Currently I’m looking for art licensing and collaborative project opportunities.
I’d love to hear from you!
Email: valerie@valeriesjodin.com