Valerie Simms was born in Banbury Oxford in 1965. Valerie studied art as a mature student at North Oxfordshire School of Art and Design and later enrolled in a design illustration course at Swindon College of Art. Valerie works form her studio in Oxfordshire and has become one of the country’s leading pastel artists specialising in portraits and wildlife works. Valerie creates pieces with fine detail and photo-realistic appearance, one can be confused into thinking her work is actually a photograph! Valerie showcases her works in fine art galleries across the UK.