Valerie Thomson was raised in Northern Michigan. After completing Petoskey High School and studying with world renowned artist, Carol Wald, she attended Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her intensive training gained her positions as a staff illustrator and graphic designer in the Chicago Area and Dallas. Later she found a desire to move back to Northern Michigan to raise her two girls and pursue her love of painting.

Inspired by the beauty of nature and the four seasons of the Michigan area, Valerie began painting landscapes in oil with a palette knife. Soon after, she was asked to be a featured artist at By the Bay Art Gallery in Harbor Springs. In 1997 Valerie began showing her work at Porter’s Ralph Lauren Gallery in Harbor Springs and also at her waterfront studio in Bay Harbor, Michigan. Two years later she opened her own fine art gallery in the Gaslight District of Petoskey.

Valerie's Monet like impressionism clearly displays the beauty of nature and conveys a feeling of peacefulness and serenity. She now lives in Sarasota, Florida and no longer has a gallery in Michigan. Some paintings are available at Northgoods in Petoskey. She continues to paint commission pieces of Northern Michigan on demand.

Awards & Achievements 

Dallas Tops Award - Dallas, TX 
First Place Fine Arts Award - Petoskey, Mi 

1999 - 2008 
Harbor Springs Art Show 
Petoskey Art in the Park 

2006 & 2007 
Voted "Best of the Northwest Gallery." 

Cover of Northern Michigan Dining Guide 
Photograph in Golf Weekly Magazine 
Program Cover for Young Americans

Displays at the Inn of Bay Harbor &
Bay Harbor Golf Club

Charities
Bay Harbor Foundation
Little Traverse Regional Historical Society
Crooked Tree Arts Center
Christ Child Society
Petoskey High School
And many more...