Both of Eve DellaValle's parents studied art in Paris in the 1920s. With their interest in art, art has been part of Eve's life, as long as she can remember. As a child, Eve spent countless hours drawing, painting and making things, as there were always materials available to experiment with.
In Eve's twenties she made small, clay figures that she turned into plaques, which were sold to gift shop...s along the Oregon coast. When Eve had small children, this turned into work that allowed her to stay home while they were babies. When the kids reached grade school age in the early 1970s, Eve opened a gift shop in Lincoln City, Oregon, called The Beach House, which she ran for the next 22 years. Displaying merchandise satisfied Eve's creative urges.
After selling the shop, Eve and her husband dabbled in antiques. When they moved to McMinnville, she took a pastel class and was instantly hooked by this interesting medium. Eve works mostly in pastels, but now also does oil pastels and recently added watercolor to her repertoire. Eve loves to be original, and just creates what comes to her, so her work is a bit quirky.
"I think artists have the cave man gene that makes them want to draw on the cave walls. I know that I feel compelled to draw and paint. Of course I don't paint on my walls, I make my cave paintings portable, so they can be moved from cave to cave. Frankly, I simply enjoy painting, and if others enjoy what I do, that makes it all the better."
Aunt Tilly and the Cousins
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: Acrylic and molding paste on a board. This crazy one has 3D effects (all the noses, eye brows and other things are 3 dimensional).
Bell, Book and Cat
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: I was dusting some books, and for some reason "Bell, Book and Candle" came to mind, so I thought why not "Bell, Book and Cat".
Bus Stop
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: After seeing a news story on deteriorating city neighborhoods, and how it effects the elderly who can't afford to move, I could picture two old ladies trying to still navigate their neighborhood while seeking safety in each other's company.
Inez and Her Tall Friend
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: This pastel was an experiment in shapes. I wanted to see if I could create two women, that one could feel they might have possibly seen sometime, using various shapes.
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Kindred Spirits
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: I was thinking of a friend when this was painted. How much we have in common, that we are as close as sisters. I like to paint women in abstract and still have them look like someone I know or have seen.
My Big Cat
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: Cats and crazy ladies are favorites subjects of mine. I enjoyed doing this one in a horizontal design.
Party Animals
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: This watercolor painting was just for fun, a couple of furry friends creating chaos. I like to draw both cats and dogs, preferably causing trouble.
Purple Lady with Grey Cat
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: The focal point of this painting is made up of curves, set against a background of totally straight lines. I find this to be an interesting effect.
Put a Bird On It
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: Just another still life, and in true Portlandia fashion, you have to Put a Bird on It. I like making up my wine glasses, my pottery, and making up my own bird species. When I used to run the gift shop in Lincoln City, I always like putting the displays on different levels, and somehow when you put different disconnected objects together, they become an "entity" together.
Smarty Cat
Fine Art by artist Eve DellaValle - Description: I like books, and I like cats, and you'll notice that design again on the pot in the background. It amused me that this cat would be reading a book about cats.