Biography
Vala is an artist who passionately and relentlessly seeks to create artworks that show her dedication to excellence. Her classical training in Europe is reflected in her art. Her figurative bronze sculptures and oil paintings are noted for their depth of expression and emotion. The high quality of her art has earned her great respect among art appreciators.
"The bronze gives me an opportunity to mold the sense of life into an everlasting form. From the force of a muscle in motion to a tender human emotion expressed. That along with the abstract quality of composition is what inspires me. When painting I get to play with colors as well as composition"
Vala sculpts at Sage Creek Gallery, NM
Vala was born and raised in Iceland. She has lived in the US since 1994. After 8 years in Santa Fe, NM, she relocated to Scottsdale, AZ. Vala Ola's artistic talent was apparent early on, and from the age of thirteen she attended classes drawing models from life. Graduating from the College of Hamrahlid, she furthered her studies at the Icelandic College of the Arts, and later graduated from The Arts Institute in Bournemouth, England.
She won the Icelandic Design Excellence Award for the first time at the age of twenty-six. During her studies in England, she placed two entries among the finalists at the Smithsonian Young Illustrator's Competition. Returning to Iceland, she went on as her country's sole representative at the Nordic Graphic Design & Illustration Awards. Moving to the United States in 1994, she changed her focus to portraiture in oil, and found herself booked solid for the next 7 years. During those years up until 2001 she painted alongside William Alan Shirley. Their portraits were created for families and dignitaries alike. Immaculate likeness of her subjects and reverence for the technique of the old masters earned her great recognition in her field. She won the Best Figurative Award 2006 at the International Guild of Realism Annual Show in Santa Fe.
2001 Vala rekindled her interest in sculpting with clay after solely painting with oil for seven years. Her inspiration derives from her observation of life. Even the most mundane circumstance we find ourselves in daily will spark an idea. The Flemish artist Vermeer would paint the simple act of pouring milk, elevating it to a moment worth remembering for eternity, in a similar way Vala will look at a moment usually passed by as moment worth noticing.
Vala sculpts smaller and mid-size figures in her studio in Scottsdale as well as larger monuments. All her sculptures are cast in bronze.
"All we have in life at any given time is the very moment we are living and that moment is of importance." Vala says. "I would like to inspire myself and others to have awareness and appreciation for our life."
Her partner in life and in business, artist Don Clapper www.clapperart.com, is always by her side. Together they have been active in the INTERNATIONAL GUILD OF REALISM www.realismguild.com which Don co-founded as well as the TROMPE L'OEIL SOCIETY OF ARTISTS.
THE US AND EUROPE
Vala's work has been exhibited in Reykjavik, London, New York, Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Scottsdale, Santa Barbara, Dallas, Park City, Loveland, Palm Desert among other other cities.
AWARDS and SHOWS
2008 Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM.
2008 "National Sculpture Society 75th Annual Show", NYC.
2008 "Internationa Guild of Realism Annual Show", Scottsdale, AZ.
2007 "International Guild of Realism Annual Show", Cape Cod, MA.
2007 Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM.
2007 J. Willot Gallery, Palm Desert, CA.
2007 “Celebration of Fine Art”, Scottsdale, AZ.
2006 "Raymond H. Brumer Award, Allied Artists of America 93rd Annual Show, NYC.
2006 “Best and the Brightest”, 2nd place professional award, Scottsdale Artist’s School.
2006 “Sculpture in the Park”, Loveland, CO.
2006 “ National Sculpture Society 73rd Annual Show”, NYC.
2006 "Second Annual International Guild of Realism Show",Manitou Galleries, Santa Fe,
Sept 15 -30, 2006 Winner of the Best Figurative Award.
2006 “Peppertree Art Show”, Santa Ynez, CA.
2006 "Beavercreek Arts Festival", Beavercreek, CO.
2006 "Peppertree Art Show", Santa Ynes, CA.
2006 "Phippen Arts Festival", Prescott, AZ.
2006 “Celebration of Fine Art”, Scottsdale, AZ.
2005 Pioneer Memorial, one of three finalist (pending), Peoria, AZ.
2005 Public Art Sculpture, finalist, Longmont, CO.
2005 Phoenix Art Museum, live art auction, fetched highest bid in Breast of Phoenix 2005 University of Dubuque, Iowa - Dr. Charles Myers— commission bronze statue.
2005 Monument commissioned, “Victory” 7 feet.
2005 “Sculpture in the Park”, Loveland, CO
2005 “Riverwalk Fine Art & Sculpture Fest.”, Edwards, Vail Valley, CO.
2005 “Avon Fine Art & Wine Festival”, Avon, CO.
2005 “Peppertree Art Show”, Santa Ynez, CA.
2005 “Phippen Arts Festival”, Prescott, AZ.
2005 Pan American Art Gallery, Dallas, TX.
2005 “Celebration of Fine Art”, Scottsdale, AZ.
2005 Bronze commission, 3 life-size sculptures
2004 National Guild of Realism, charter member.
2004 “Hidden in the Hills”, Cavecreek, AZ.
2004 “Phippen Arts Festival”, Prescott, AZ.
2004 Bronze commission, 3 life-size sculptures.
2004 McDowell Mountain Ranch Arist's League show, Scottsdale, AZ.
2004 Bronze commission, six life-size sculptures.
2003 “Art in the Home”, hosting TV series on art.
2003 National Sculpture Society, NY, membership.
2003 Sonoran Arts League Membership.
2003 Mr. & Mrs. Steven Rockefeller, NY, portrait commission.
2003 Spirit of the Senses, lecture and art viewing, Scottsdale, AZ.
2003 Three life-size bronzes commissioned by Mr. & Mrs. Cameron, OK.
2002 Scottsdale Artist Society membership.
2002 “Celebration of Fine Art, art show”, Scottsdale, AZ.
1995 thru 2002 Waterford Marriott Hotel, Oklahoma City. Yearly invitational art show.
2001 Touring Iceland and Denmark.
2000 The Artist’s Magazine, finalist winner in portrait category.
2000 The American Society of Portrait Artists, membership.
1999 Ventana Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM, group exhibition.
1998 National Museum of Catholic Art & History, Rockefeller Center, NY.
1997 CCA, The Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM, group exhibition.
1996 The Santa Fe Society of Artists, Santa Fe, NM. Art shows summer and fall.
1996 Allied Artist of America, membership.
1995 Cynthia Woody Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ.
1995 Carrot’s Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, group exhibition.
1995 Geoffrey’s Restaurant, Malibu, CA. Art for Heart’s Sake, group exhibition.
1994 City Hall, Reykjavik, Iceland, group exhibition.
1994 Nomination for the Nordic Graphic Design and Illustration Awards, Denmark .
1994 House of Argentina, Reykjavik, Iceland, 10 commissioned paintings.
1992 St. Martin’s in the Field Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, two woman show.
1991 The Mall Gallery, “BPCA&D Exhibition”.
1990 Smith’s Gallery, London, UK. “Reader’s Digest Young Illustrators’ Exhb.