This series of work is a love letter addressed to the wild natural world I grew up in, and the feelings of nostalgia I associate with it. My childhood was spent daydreaming in the woods. This collection of work first began as a way for me to revisit my adolescence as I came to terms with the shift into adulthood.

The work has become a meditative process; the constant labor of painting and carving intricate details in paper has become therapeutic for me. While tedious, this process has given me the time and means to retrospectively observe my relationship with my childhood and appreciate aspects of my home I had overlooked as an adolescent.

My work is highly process-oriented; the meticulous carving of paper and layering of different patterns not only defines the final product but also how I mentally relate to my work. The layering process excites me the most as an artist, as I enjoy playing with the balance between two-dimensional imagery and sculptural depth within my pieces. These pieces are playful and whimsical, defined by their heavy patterns and vivid colors.

This series was originally established as a way for me to reconnect with and reobserve my appreciation of nature and connection to my childhood; however, in the time I have spent with them they have taken their own life. As I worked on these pieces, my focus shifted from my appreciation for the past to my appreciation for the present, to the enjoyment I find in reinterpreting this familiar imagery and making it my own.

Daughter of Artist, Carpenter, and Raft Guides: Sadie Valzetta grew up in the hills and hollers of rural Appalachia. She spent most of her formative years running through the woods and splashing in the streams. Valzetta fostered an acute appreciation for the natural world. She draws inspiration from the surrounding wild environments of her home, especially within this specific collection.

Sadie Valzetta’s concepts come from her experiences, her time on the river canoeing with friends, and the walks she takes with her dog Georgia O’Keeffe. She enjoys committing beautiful moments to memory and recreating them with her watercolors.

Stylistically, Valzetta works to create illustrative playful environments, intending to show her viewers the wonder of nature.

Sadie Valzetta and her labradoodle Georgia O'Keeffe