Valerie D'Ortona

Valerie Murdock D'Ortona is a Ph.D.graduate of the University of Florida and a college educator, not a children’s play school art teacher, as you may have speculated.

So where did these whimsical bovines, silly cats, and friendly frogs come from? In 2003, shortly after Valerie had moved back to Gainesville, Florida, her adult son recommended she take some art classes to stay out of trouble. Valerie signed up for watercolor and acrylic painting classes through the local community college's continuing education program. Splashing bright colors on canvas and paper lassoed Valerie’s fancy. Cows started moseying out of the paint tubes, and soon she was “hooved.”

"Isabel's World" was soon created by Valerie. It's a playful place of cow art, original animal paintings and abstract art made in acrylics and water media. Just who is “Isabel”? She, as inspiration would have it, is THE cow, the muse-mother of all Valerie’s paintings. She is the spirit of the pastured creature that you holler "MOO!" to (if no one else is in the car, that is) as you drive along the roadway; the face with smiling eyes on ol' timie milk bottles.

Isabel has friends. Her best friend is Lisabel. They and their pals — cats, clowns, fish, frogs, and ducks— spend their days grazing through lush fields with multi-colored blooms, dressing up in “Sunday-Go-To-Meetin'” hats, and the latest fashions, chatting with their finned friends, savoring yummy desserts and ice cream, falling instantly in love, motoring around the country side, and (secretly) giggling at silly cats. See Isabel in an aquatic environment.

So, jump the fence, roll up your trousers, and come see what other adventures capture the fancy of Isabel and her entourage.

Awards and Honors

Work of heart Award, The Volunteer Center of North Central Florida
Award of Merit, Gainesville Fine Arts Association's Member Winter Show
6 solo exhibitions across north central Florida since September 2004
included in 36 group exhibitions across north central Florida since December 2004