Thalissa Valery

Thalissa Valery | Doubt

Can you tell us about your early artistic influences growing up in Florida?

Although I grew up in Florida I believe my Haitian roots played more of a role as far as influences go. Some of my most cherished memories have been when family members would come to visit and bring paintings along. Mostly in the style of portraiture, which I now mostly focus on, have always captivated me. As for Florida it comes up in my work more now as an adult. Honing my skills was my main priority growing up but with maturing I find creating (open) stories within my work to be less daunting. Subtly incorporating southern and floridian iconography as a nod to my love of the state. Peaceful and gloomy.

How did your discovery of watercolors at 14 shape your creative direction?

Fourteen was the turning point. I found watercolors by accident, and it cracked something open in me. There was something about how uncontrollable they were and how the water decided where the pigment moved. It forced me to loosen my grip and let the art breathe on its own. That unpredictability became a metaphor for how I navigate both life and art.

Thalissa Valery | Bag

You mentioned limited formal training — how has self-teaching influenced your artistic voice?

Being self-taught gave me the freedom to build my own lane. No rigid rules, no one telling me how art “should” look. I learned by messing up, remixing styles, studying old masters and digital renegades alike. That DIY mindset taught me how to trust my instincts and turn my flaws into fingerprints. I used to strive to appear polished, now I much prefer being messy and raw.

What themes or emotions do you most often explore in your digital illustrations?

I orbit around themes like identity, isolation, resilience, and rebirth. There’s usually a tension between softness and strength in my work. My digital illustrations are kind of like emotional x-rays: layered, intimate, and not always comfortable. I like to explore what it means to carry legacy, especially as a child of diaspora navigating modern chaos.

Thalissa Valery | Cage

How does your faith play a role in your creative process?

Catholicism raised me with a deep reverence for rituals, symbolism, and silence. Even when I questioned parts of it, the core ideas like grace, redemption, suffering as transformation its never left. My art is how I pray sometimes. It’s less about doctrine and more about wrestling with the divine, visually. I treat creation like communion.

I have always felt as though I was cast out, painting was the fruit that brought me to paradise.

What does your process look like when blending watercolors with mixed media?

It starts analog, watercolors first, to lay down emotion and atmosphere. Then I layer in digital elements like line work, textures, or motion. Think of it like mixing jazz with break beats, old soul meets future noise. The blend gives me range to play between softness and sharpness, nostalgia and innovation. It’s where chaos meets control.

Thalissa Valery | Liee Page

Can you share more about your transition from traditional to digital art?

The shift wasn’t planned, I needed to move faster, experiment more. Diving into merchandising it made more sense to take it on. Now I flow between both worlds. Digital gave me space to expand, but traditional taught me patience. Together, they help me speak fluently in visual emotion.