Before she could talk, freshman Valorie Spade was creating art.

“The first time I drew a face was before I could write letters,” Spade said, recalling the memory fondly.

From woodcarving and embroidery to detailed sketches, Spade uses a variety of mediums to funnel her abundant creative energy into unique pieces of art.

Completely self-taught, Spade said she started using her creativity by taking advantage of whatever resources she could find around the house, which might have included pulling random supplies off shelves such as glue sticks and cardstock. Spade’s artistic curiosity eventually led her to biking to the nearest Michael’s and buying a variety of materials to experiment with.

Valuing creative exploration, Spade said she avoids limiting herself and her artistic endeavors.

“I never go into anything knowing what I am going to do,” Spade said. “I like to think I push myself and try to think [as] creatively as I can.”

With a plethora of crafts to choose from, including knitting, bracelet-making, and even designing her own video game art, Spade has established herself as a distinguished exploratory and creative artist.

Spade said she begins by drawing her ideas in a sketchbook and then channels the creation into whatever form she thinks best fits. A perfect balance between “realism and style,” Spade values the expression found within creating art.

“Art isn’t just drawing on paper or drawing something photorealistically, it’s having something 3D or something you can hold or something you can express yourself with,” Spade said.

Spade reflected on her artistic journey and how she recently came to find her artistic style. After becoming tired of repetitive creations, she was inspired by other artists to branch out by expanding herstyle.

“I never had a distinguishable style until very recently. I would just draw things as realistically as I could, but then…[I] decided that I want to have a style that represents me,” Spade said.

She said the process has been long and the room to improve still remains, but her experiences continue to aid her in her artistic ventures.  

Currently creating spreads and backgrounds, Spade said she is working on achieving her goal of completing a video game that she has created all the artwork for before the end of high school. Whatever the future holds, one thing is clear: Spade’s distinguished and unique style and creations will continue to noticeably set her apart from other artists.