Interview with Val Welman

January 15, 2006

Artist Val Welman and his wife, Doris Welman, photograph by Gina

Gina: Hello Val! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and personal background?

Val Welman: I started creating watercolors under my father’s instruction over 70 years ago. Most of my early work consisted of landscape studies of the Arizona desert made on the spot. Around the age of 16, I started painting in oils, still working from the actual landscape but also including portraits and still-life studies.

Throughout high school and two years of college, I studied all the art offered, but as a minor subject. My major was chemistry. The following year, I made art my major interest and enrolled in the Art Center School in Los Angeles for one year preceding World War II. Army service began in 1943 and after basic training in California, I was sent to the South Pacific. For more than two years overseas, my duties included making drawings of military installations for General MacArthur’s headquarters.

After leaving the service in 1946, I returned to school at the University of Denver to finish my Bachelor of Fine Arts. It was during this time that an interest for sculpture developed. Later at the University of Colorado, my interest in printmaking developed while working on my Master of Fine Arts degree. I was a teaching assistant at the University of Colorado for two years.

In 1952 I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Denver. In 1954, I graduated from the University of Colorado with a Master of Fine Arts.

In 1954, I started teaching art at the University of Washington. For several years, I taught subjects in graphic design along with drawing and design classes. I also taught watercolor, oil painting, printmaking and sculpture subjects.

As a practicing artist, I exhibited nationally as well as locally in shows for painting and sculpture. I received numerous awards in the Seattle area as well as national awards.

In the summer of 1962, I received a research grant from the University of Washington to perfect casting procedures with resins and to experiment with Styrofoam as pattern material for metal castings in sand.

I have been commissioned to design for industry. This type of work usually ranged from corporate image design to advertising or product design and illustration. In 1960, the Electronics Representatives Association commissioned me to design a tribute award for their national organization. In 1961, I perfected the design and manufacturing process for a new accent table, made from a resin compound imitating marble. The tables ranged from cocktail to dining table size.

In 1964, I was commissioned to design four types of sculptured ceiling tiles to be manufactured in polystyrene. The same year I was also commissioned by a Seattle law firm to do illustrations to be used in court trials. The illustrations were of complex electrical machinery.

Seattle’s mayor Wes Uhlman commissioned me in 1970 to design and produce the mayor’s honorarium. The honorarium was a bronze casting which was reproduced 385 times.

I have done other commissioned art work.

In 1979, I built my own foundry and made bronze and aluminum castings. I installed a TIG welder and started fabricating stainless steel and mild steel.

What life moments influenced your art creations?

Training from my father and attending Arizona State Teacher College in Tempe Arizona influenced my art. In my art classes there, my teacher was a former illustrator. I also attended the Art Center School in Pasadena, California.


Have there been special people or events who inspired and supported your artwork?

My father was my first teacher. He taught me drawing, water color, how to compose, learn about color and how to relate colors. Tom Harter taught me in art subjects at Arizona State Teacher College, such as figure drawing, painting in opaque water color. 

Clarence Van Duzer taught at the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. He taught techniques such as oil, egg tempera and wax encaustic.

Wendell Black taught printmaking, engraving, etching, wood cut, at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.

Glenn Alps, a colleague at the University of Washington, taught printmaking.

What is it you enjoy most about painting? 

Painting allows one to discover the inner qualities of the human. You must become aware of your given destiny and consider our physical existence, but be comfortable with both. Techniques are part of the game, and one must be open enough to evolve, in a broad sense. Painting is stimulating for feelings and satisfying for intellect. Every artist would like to receive compensation in order to survive and keep painting. Keep looking inside!

 Welman's  "Awake"

  Acrylic Painting

What do you enjoy most about sculpture work?

Sculpture is interesting because it allows one to apply skills in making things other than two dimensions. If working in clay, there is a concern for boundaries, which ties into drawing. A certain interest in mechanical things motivates the imagination. For assembling parts, one thinks of positive and neative space which also challenges scale which gives one internal pleasure. Bronze casting and welding was my main interest in sculpture.

What are some of the most important things aspiring artists should learn?

Start with an interest, looking at books and magazines on art. Maybe copy some art that appeals to you. Then start drawing things with pencil, toys, food, books, etc. If you get turned on, start reading about artists. Don’t lose heart, we all learn at different rates.

What have you enjoyed most as an artist? 

Being an artist is not always easy. You have ups and downs as in other activities, but working through problems helps to build confidence and enjoyment. If you are open-minded in what you create, satisfaction can boost one’s spirits and to me, that is meaningful.

What have been the biggest challenges you have had as an artist? 

Over the years, you will notice style change as young generations have to test their skills to keep up with the world. Commerce can alter trends, therefore an artist cannot change as fast to alter his artistic interest. Keep your composure and bear with the changes because you were created to live your way. Maybe slow, but sure.


Do you have any special artistic techniques that you’d tell other artists?

Most techniques are acquired by experience. However it is quite natural for the novice or the newer artist to outperform if the techniques are easy to acquire. Most artists, instructors and classes share their methods of working but usually don’t wish to release certain practices until the student reveals a reliable involvement. Survival is still something necessary.

What did you say to people who tried to discourage you from pursuing your artistic goals?

The most common statement is “You can’t make a living as an artist.” But some people interested in being an artist, if they are sure of themselves, ignore such comments. Courage is still needed.

What have you enjoyed most as an art educator?

Working with young minds of all ages is stimulating. When progress in the classes shows the instruction has been digested and the students enjoy the classes, it is very satisfying to feel you have helped.

What was the hardest part of being a professor?

The hardest part was working for the student and trying to do your own work. This challenge along with administration duties keeps one busy.

After you have retired as a professor, what things did you enjoy doing?

Filling in gaps of never pursuing certain goals earlier in life as a professor.

What do you think of the current art scene?

Some is a re-hash and other avant gart. You merely accept what is meaningful for yourself.

What future do you see for the art world?

A crystal ball would help, but it seems like high-tech developments have already altered our sensibilities of visual efforts.

If there is anything you could change about the world, what would you do?

The fast pace of living is sometimes overpowering and helps to cause stress at every age level. It seems like commerce and competition can’t wait to outdo themselves.

If you had one wish, what would it be?

That people would try to enjoy their particular interest in their lives and be more loving and kind.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your art?

See if the word “art” is something that entitles each person a chance to discover feelings, enjoyment and use their intellect with a certain lasting effect.


Thanks a lot for the interview, Val. I hope people find it very interesting and informative! 

Mr. Welman's work is on display at the Monarch Sculpture Park grounds and in its art gallery.