When I visited Charleston as a tourist I was immediateIy struck by its vibrant and large artistic community but I never thought I’d be part of it someday. I was born and raised in Italy and I started playing with brushes and colors as a child but, growning up, I had less and less time for creativity till the day I decided to quit with a conventional job and start taking painting lessons. Then something really unbelievable happened: I won the “Green card” lottery and I moved to the States with my family. Here I continued taking art classes with the teacher Joyce Hall. My medium is oil, my painting derives from an emotional response to places and things I love, even simple objects from everyday life. I love finding beauty and poetry everywhere. I take part in several solo and collective exhibitions.

Website: www.valentinamessinart.com