After completing her Bachelors in Art Education and beginning her teaching career, Valery studied the figure to earn her MFA at UMass Dartmouth. She is primarily a painter, exploring oils, gouache, and printmaking. The human form and nature are sourced as inspiration. Valery approaches painting openly, with the goal of capturing the essence of what is observed. Through this fluid process, the contrast and nuances of inventive color schemes emerge as Valery balances representation with abstract qualities.