VALERIE APONIK

Valerie Aponik lives and works from her studio/home on Great Wass Island Maine. Primarily a plein air painter, Aponik is often found along the local waterfront, islands, homes and gardens of coastal Maine during all four Seasons. “Painting on location, gives me the most alive feeling of the now. I seek to translate that moment, through paint, color, form, and the play of light and dark. I want the viewer to appreciate the pleasure I find conveying my hand and heart response to my environment.”

Aponik moved to Maine in 1976 to “live off the land,” where she formed a strong connection to the land while working on her small farm. The importance of observing nature, and that spiritual connection, later translated to the visual through painting. Aponik has been painting en plein air for over twenty years. Primarily a self taught artist, she discovered “painting every day has been a large part of my growth as an artist.” She has studied with Colin Page, Stuart Shils, T. Allen Lawson, Louise Bourne and Lois Griffel. Formally educated with a BS in Health Education and Nursing from the University of Maine at Augusta and Farmington, she practiced for 27 years as an Emergency Nurse.  She gave up her Nursing career in 2005 to paint full time. Aponik's work has received  multiple awards, and she enjoys a loyal group of private, corporate and international collectors. 

Aponik exhibits  with the Coastal Fine Arts Association in Southwest Harbor, Blue Hill Bay Gallery in Blue Hill, Star Gallery in Northeast Harbor, The Woodwind Gallery in Machias,  Nelson Decoy Gallery in Jonesport, Tunk Mt Gallery in Cherryfield and By Design Gallery in Bangor. Her studio is open by appointment.