Home Cooking
Created in the mid-1990s around 1993 or 1994, "Val NY" is a nostalgic early portrait celebrating my dear friend Valerie. Capturing the playful, adventurous spirit of youth, the piece places Valerie front and center against a whimsical backdrop of New York City. It stands as an intimate snapshot of friendship from a formative era in my artistic journey, reflecting both the warmth of personal connection and the raw energy of nineties folk-pop art.
The composition centers on Valerie’s stylized figure, rendered with wide, expressive brown eyes, full lips, and long brown hair cascading over a vibrant, striped sweater and burgundy turtleneck. To her right stands a green, green-line sketch of the Statue of Liberty raising her glowing red torch, adding an iconic sense of place and playful storytelling. Behind them, a stark, blocky skyline of Manhattan skyscrapers rises against a soft pastel sky, framing her figure with structural graphic contrast.
Visually, "Val NY" showcases a expressive blend of bold outlines, soft shading, and rich color application. The contrast between the graphic black-and-white grid of the urban skyline and the vibrant horizontal stripes of her outfit creates a lively visual rhythm across the surface. Honest, charming, and full of character, this piece remains a treasured early work that preserves the memory of a great friend and the timeless magic of New York.
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Private Collection
Valerie Collado