BIOGRAPHY

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Val Leigh-Dorin has lived most of her adult life on Southern Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Retiring in 2018 from a full-time job as an accountant, Val can finally commit most of her time to creating art in her tiny studio with the only supervisor being the feline variety.

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Val had one year of formal art training in the late 1970’s at the University of Victoria but for the most part is self-taught. Her interests over the years have been varied and included pencil and pastel drawings and stained-glass works. In recent years she has focused on abstract and impressionist paintings using acrylics and inks. 

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Val's inclination towards creating came naturally through family.  Her main influence was her great-aunt Norma Brandon, who in the mid 1920’s was a student of Frederick Varley - one of the Group of Seven. Norma’s sculptures made of driftwood from Qualicum Beach were quite unique. Val learned at a young age from Norma that when you create you do not always have to conform to the expected.

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Exhibits

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2021 Sooke Fine Art Show, Sooke,BC (Juried)

2022 Sooke Fine Art Show, Sooke,BC (Juried)

2023 Sooke Fine Art Show, Sooke,BC (Juried)

2024 SPAC show, Sidney, BC

2024 CNIB Eye Appeal Art Gala, Victoria, BC