About Valerie Parizeault
Hi there! My name is Valerie Parizeault, I am a canadian artist and graphic designer. I have a College degree in graphic design, a BACC in visual and multi media art with an education option and a business training. Although my diplomas give you a glimpse of my knowledge, I think my story is more relevant to know.
Fifteen years ago, I left the world of the communication agencies after a total slump. I did what seems logical at my young age of 21, I enrolled myself at the University in arts and education. I was convinced that my happiness would be in teaching art. Fast forward 5 years, diploma in hand, I am doing substitute gigs in the schools of the Montreal area and I am unhappy and anxious more than ever. Despite my talent in creation, my ability to teach and an animation experience, courtesy of my 6 years working in summer camps, I just did not fit into the school system. If I tell you this lightly today, I can assure you that I was rather depressed and in deep questioning at that time.
I started a sideline while doing my job of substitute teaching: I created a collection of handmade jewelry that I sold on the web and in craft fairs (this was pre-Etsy folks!). I will always remember the decisive night when I cried, my boyfriend (now my husband) by my side, wondering what I, Valerie, REALLY wanted to do. And I whispered the answer: be my own boss.
My jewelry company lasted 2 years. 2 years of intense training in which I tested my market, learned to code websites, participated in networking. 2 years of trial-and-error. At the end of this time, I made my first adult decision of my life: I dropped the jewelry to return to graphic and web design. A heartbreaking decision? Not really: my jewelry was not profitable and I wanted to create a company that would finance my dreams!
I worked for more than 10 years in my graphic design company, with its ups and downs. In 2014, completely burned out, I got really sick and I had to slow down my activities.
Now, 5 years later, I took my first heart decision: to return to my brushes waiting for me wisely in the workshop. I still take graphic design projects however I devote myself more seriously to my art and I am available for illustrative gigs. I you want to see more of my day to day work, visit my instagram account.
