Happy 2023 everybody. Every, single year, I get caught out. I keep meaning to buy one of Valériane Leblond’s exquisitely illustrated calendars, but by the time I remember, she’s already sold out. I’ll have to set myself a reminder for next year!
Valériane Leblond is a French-born artist brought up in Angers. She moved to mid-Wales around 2007 and is currently living in an old farmhouse near Aberystwyth with her 3 sons, several cats and too many chickens.
My style is influenced by folk and primitive art, and there are often stories happening in the detail. The kitchen or the hearth, the washing drying on the line, the attended garden are often present in my paintings and illustrations. My pictures convey the idea of home, and show how people inhabit the land.
The sea is not far from where I live, and going for walks in the hills or on the beach is always an inspiration. The landscape plays a big part in my work, with the passing of the seasons, the variations in colours and lights, and the ever-changing sea. credit
Valériane was short-listed for the prestigious Tir na n-Og Award annually between 2015 & 2019. Two books illustrated by her won the Welsh-language primary category; Pedair Cainc y Mabinogi (2016) and Cymru ar y Map (2019).
I also admire country folk, fishermen, housewives, and those who live off the land and the sea; especially their efforts and perseverance. credit
The list of her books include The Quilt, Little Honey Bee, Wales on the Map and Four Branches of the Mabinogi.
Valériane Leblond has also illustrated books for other authors and poets including Alison Acheson, Peter Stevenson, Siân Lewis, Caryl Lewis and Elinor Wyn Reynolds.
She sells a small selection of limited editions prints on her Etsy shop or in Oriel y Bont in Aberystwyth town centre.
You’ll find many of these books on Amazon and Abe Books. In addition, there is a selection of her greeting cards available for sale on Green Pebble.
