Val. Stokes, born in Auckland, New Zealand, now living in Hamilton. N.Z. has always loved art and started drawing at age 4. Had around 200 drawings published in various magazines with Childrens Pages. Leaving secondary school, favouring art, she worked for an advertising agency. Marriage to another artist, and producing a daughter, then a son, meant art free-lancing from home. Later came the
opportunity to paint and being self-taught, painted what appealed to her, trying out all mediums--pastel, acrylic, oils and watercolours. She exhibits at her home Studio gallery and at 5 N.Z. dealer galleries and her paintings have homes in many countries. Is well known for her cat and rustic subjects. She has well over 100 greeting cards and several calendars printed and also donates designs to Save the Children, Hospice and various other charities. Painting also notepaper with N.Z. themes. Designs for cross-stitch are a new venture and can be seen at "Character Creations" in the links. Also paints commissions when asked.

"When I paint I sometimes feel I am in another dimension. I love painting and try to work at it every day when possible. Art appreciation is in the eye of the beholder--a buyer often gravitates towards a certain painting with instant recognition"