Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Valentin
Hi Sophia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always felt a deep connection to creativity, growing up in Long Beach, New York, where the ocean and nature played a significant role in shaping my artistic vision. From a young age, I began drawing and painting, either capturing the beauty of the world around me, or illustrating my own ideas. Whether I’m working on realistic portraits, conceptual illustrations, or more stylistic designs, I aim to create work that conveys meaning to people.
Early on, I learned about the Renaissance and artists like Michelangelo, whose technical skill influenced my approach to realism. This inspired me to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where I was able to observe and sketch the paintings and sculptures there. At the same time, I was captivated by Tim Burton’s films, which opened my eyes to the possibilities of blending whimsical aesthetics with more mysterious elements in my art. I believe the story behind the work of art and the feelings it displays is one of the most valuable aspects of it. This combination of visual and narrative elements has been a key influence in shaping my creative process.
Soccer and drawing have always been two of my greatest passions throughout my life. Motivated by both, I pursued a BFA in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I played for the SCAD Women’s Soccer Team. Balancing my athletic and creative pursuits taught me valuable lessons in discipline, teamwork, and resilience – traits that continue to shape both my art and my everyday life.
Today, I continue to push the boundaries of my craft, doing freelance work for clients who commission everything from pet portraits to home murals, packaging designs, and more. Through exploring both traditional and digital mediums, my goal is to create art that resonates with people and sparks their imagination.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Throughout my journey as an artist, there have definitely been a few bumps in the road. I’ve faced several challenges along the way, from when Covid hit during my sophomore year at SCAD, to balancing academic, athletic, and artistic commitments. The transition to online learning was tough, and being separated from my teammates made it harder. However, it allowed me to focus on my art and grow creatively. As soon as things turned back to normal, managing time effectively and burnout became a struggle. I learned to focus on what I could control and accept my struggles, instead of letting them discourage me. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year, a knee injury felt like a huge setback mentally and physically. Instead of giving up, I channeled my energy into supporting my teammates and focusing on recovery. These experiences taught me to view challenges as opportunities for growth, and I’m so grateful for the valuable lessons I’ve learned that I can contribute to my creative process.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lately, I’ve been immersing myself in creating pieces that have fun, peculiar, little characters. These figures interact with different elements within the piece, sometimes even becoming the main subjects, and often tell their own mini stories. One piece I’m particularly proud of is my portrait of Tim Burton. In this work, I blended a painterly/realistic style with cartoonish doodle-like elements. The result is a dynamic and intricate piece that invites viewers to discover new aspects with each look. This work is rich in detail, engaging, and full of character, which I feel captures my style perfectly.
What sets me apart from other artists is my adaptability and willingness to experiment. I don’t confine myself to one medium or style; instead, I embrace the challenge of creating with whatever is available and doing what is outside of the norm. This flexibility not only keeps my work fresh and exciting but also allows me to continuously evolve and advance my skills. I experiment with a wide range of materials to bring my creative visions to life. My work combines traditional materials like graphite, charcoal, ink, gouache, watercolor, and acrylic paint with digital tools such as Procreate. I start my creative process with a painterly approach, focusing on shapes and composition. Once I’m happy with the layout, I refine the lines and add the right colors and values. I often mix realism with a more stylized look, and sometimes I create imaginative worlds with interesting characters. I don’t limit myself to one style, but instead enjoy doing what fits my thought process and the overall story. I aim for my illustrations to have a meaningful, bright energy that feels alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sophiarose.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiarose.art
