Art & Wine on the Patio - Surface Dynamics

FREE ADMISSION / RSVP and let us know you are coming!

Viewing Hours : Fridays and Saturdays 5- 6pm

Patio Seating / Wines and Tapas available for purchase from our menu.

Artist Statement: Welcome to Surface Dynamics. The paintings in this exhibition contemplate the notion of surface, in both form and function. Aesthetically, these paintings wonder about surfaces. Is the surface the starting point, or the end point? Is it a place to stand, or is it a barrier to penetrate? How steady is it? Can the surface be readily deciphered, or is it a veiled façade? A conclusion or an invitation? Each painting might evoke different responses.

Structurally, these paintings know the complexity of surfaces. Beneath the outermost imagery, they wear countless layers of color and hide untold storylines. They look flat to the eye but feel intensely textured to the hand. They have a gleaming sheen that is transparent, despite being several topcoats thick. They know that the final surface is dependent upon every layer beneath it.

Ultimately, these paintings present surfaces that have strong identities, while also allowing for interpretation. As with any exhibition, my hope is for viewers to take the time to engage with the artwork, and for it to add something new to each person’s day. The surface is constantly changing, even if it appears static. Enjoy!

Valerie Berner lives in Rochester, NY. She balances a rigorous dedication to painting with a daytime career as a mental health clinician.Berner attended St. Lawrence University from 1998 to 2002, where she double majored in Psychology and Fine Arts, with a specialization in painting. She earned a master's degree in Art Therapy from Nazareth College in 2004, followed several years later by board certification and licensure as a Creative Arts Therapist.Since 2008, Berner has been displaying her artwork publicly. Her paintings are regularly featured in solo, juried, invitational, and group exhibitions. Berner’s style is characterized by bold colors, sharp edges, and settings that evoke dynamic moods. 

Though the surfaces of her paintings appear flat, each composition consists of dozens of overlapping layers of paint.

Berner is not on social media, but she welcomes contact via email at val@valerieberner.com, or by visiting her website at www.valerieberner.com.