My inspiration comes directly from my surroundings in South Florida: my home; my garden; my line of vision while driving; the designs that shadows make. My color choices are intuitive rather than calculated. I have always been fascinated with fabrics and colors, and the colors and designs from nature.

I grew up on the North Shore of Boston, on the grounds of a small private school that my parents founded. I have kept a sketchbook and journal ever since I can remember.
I studied at Massachusetts College of Art where I earned a BA in Graphic Design. But it was during my years living in Paris that I was able to take silk painting classes, and have since chosen silk as my medium of choice.

I have been using Dharma products ever since I started painting on silk in the US. Dupont silk dyes , Sennelier Anti-Fusant gutta , andsilk habotai fabric . I have been experimenting more with the ‘water color technique’, using Jacquard No Flow instead of the gutta . I also use metallic gutta (gold) gutta at times. I have painted shawls , sarongs , tops but most of all wall paintings.

Natacha Garance Valdes

813 924-2755
nwaring@verizon.net