Artist Spotlight: Val “The Old Market Artist”
By Tony Montgomery
Photograph by Robin Gornell © 2007
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rgornell
What better way to spotlight Omaha Illustrators than to interview Val, The Old Market Artist. I sat down with him for a caricature and got a great interview and illustration.
Val has been in Omaha for 30 years. You can find him on the northeast corner of 11th & Howard right in the heart of Downtown. His eclectic clothing matches his interesting personality. Val’s father was an artist, and at the age of six, Val was discovered as an artist as well. He has been drawing all his life.
Val says he has illustrated around 100,000 portraits that have made their way around the world. He was featured in two commercial spots on FOX 42. Laughing, he told me that next time they come around, he is going to charge them for the TV spot.
Val said that one of the things that blew his mind was the introduction of computer graphics to the art world. He told me that he considers himself to be computer illiterate, but I think he is doing pretty good without one! While in Omaha, he has instructed many artists in the community. He is well known around town, and everyone knows exactly where to find him. While I interviewed him, the clients were lining up for a portrait.
Val does illustrations exclusively using a sharpie marker. His style is simplistic and original. The experience of sitting down, chatting, enjoying the downtown scene is probably the reason Val’s popularity in our community is immeasurable.
If you haven’t already, I would recommend that you sit down with Val for a portrait. He is very approachable and friendly, and I am glad that I got the opportunity to interview him for Illustrate Omaha.
Special Thanks to Robin Gornell for allowing us to us the photograph of Val at the top of this blog.
Check out her great work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rgornell
Tags: downtown omaha, illustrator, Omaha old market, The old market artist, Val
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