Valerie Meotti
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I create composite images using Photoshop and my own photographs of found places and objects, combined with fragments of my painted work. These composites are developed digitally in layered form, then printed one layer at a time using archival inks. Rather than presenting the digital image as a final product, I transfer each printed layer by hand onto dampened watercolor paper. This process introduces imperfections, shifts in registration, and variations in surface—elements that I consider essential to the finished work.
The images evolve through multiple transfers and are further altered with watercolor, charcoal, pencil, and occasional collage. Each piece is created as a single original. Through this hybrid approach, I aim to blur the boundaries between digital and traditional media, emphasizing process, materials, and the quiet tension between control and chance.
My Story
Valerie Meotti is a multidisciplinary artist whose work integrates watercolor, photography, and experimental digital processes influenced by traditional printmaking. She began creating watercolors and illustrations in her teen years and later entered the lithographic printing industry as an apprentice, gaining extensive experience in 4-color offset printing, color theory, retouching, photography, and early computer graphics.
During this time, Valerie was exposed to leading contemporary artists through work associated with United Limited Art Editions (ULAE), under the direction of Bill Goldston. Encounters with the work of Robert Rauschenberg, Jim Dine, Larry Rivers, and Jasper Johns—particularly Rauschenberg’s layered and process-driven approach—had a lasting influence on her artistic direction.
Alongside a 35-year career as a professional graphic designer, Valerie developed a unique hybrid studio practice. Her current work combines original photography and painted elements into digital composites, which are printed in layers using archival Epson inks and transferred by hand onto high-quality watercolor paper. This labor-intensive process creates textured, painterly surfaces that reference traditional lithography while embracing chance and imperfection.
During this time she also developed her own original collectable figurines which started as glued painted pistachio shells. They are called "Pistachio People"and exist as ceramics and alternate clay sculptures as well as multiple watercolor illustrations and 2 children book publications, "Mr Achoo" and "Nerdy Birdie".
Art Publications:
International Contemporary Artists Vol. 8 (2014) ICA Publishing
“Hotel California” 16 x 20” Digital Transfers / watercolor / charcoal
“Bombs Away” 16 x 20” Digital Transfers / watercolor / charcoal
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New Art international Vol 12 (2007 - 2008 edition) / Book Art Press
“Go With the Flow” 10 x 13” Digital Transfers / watercolor / charcoal
“Up and Away” 18 x 25” Digital Transfers / watercolor / charcoal
“My Family My Home” 19 x 24” Digital Transfers / watercolor / charcoal
Direct Art Magazine Vol.13 ( Fall-Winter 2006 edition)
“Luna 1 & 2” 11 x14” Mixed media collage
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“Newsday Art Review“ Pictorial Published / Nov. 6 1988
“Bluster” 16 x 24” Mixed media collage
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Shows:
Wet Paints Studio Group, Sayville NY / Group Exhibit 1986
Best in Show - “Iris and Daisy Dawn” / Watercolor
First Place - “Floating Through Violets” / Watercolor
Third Place - “Northfield Barn” / Watercolor
Bryant Library, Roslyn, NY (Beyond Status Quo Exhibit 1988)
“Bluster” 14 x 20” Mixed media collage / Pictorial Published in “Newsday” newspaper.
Islip Art Museum, NY / Outdoor Art Exhibit 1989
Honorable Mention Award “Grandma’s Iris” 12 x 15” / Watercolor
Sands Point Preserve, NY / Juried Multi Media Art Exhibit 1990
“Combat Zone” 25” x 35” Mixed media collage
Sands Point Preserve, NY / Juried Multi Media Art Exhibit 1993
“Baby Boom” 24”x 24” Collage
Gallery Shows
Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, Chelsea, NY (June, 2007) Group show
“Le Petite Pig Does Fly” 15 x18” / Digital Transfers / watercolor
“LaJolla” 20 x 24” / Digital Transfers / watercolor
“Up and Away” 18 x 24” / Digital Transfers / watercolor / charcoal
Asta Art Gallery, Huntington, NY (May, 2007) Group Show
Asta Art Gallery, Huntington, NY (Feb, 2007) Group Show
Islip Art Gallery, Bayshore, NY / Group Exhibiting 2022-2024
Art prints, Sculpture: “Pistachio People” figurines
W. Babylon Library - Atrium, NY (June 1- July 30, 2025) Solo Show
Mixed Media / Digital Transfers / watercolor / charcoal / 24 original framed art pieces
Sculpture: 34 “Pistachio People” figurines