Endorsement from journalist Rosie Staal:
Annabelle is not only a highly talented artist but also an astute and intelligent business owner. She works harder than anyone I have ever known, using her passion for perfection to the full in everything she does. The opening of her own gallery, while undoubtedly a feather in her own cap, is a massive boost for the vibrancy and attractiveness of Blandford town centre as a whole. The Valentine Gallery has brought a great deal to the townscape, in all possible ways. Annabelle has shown what can be achieved through courage, unbelievable hard work, a strong focus and utter commitment. She is a shining example of entrepreneurship in a period of recession, where a ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude is always going to give the edge.
Annabelle is a vibrant gifted young woman who is a pleasure to work with. She listens carefully, she works hard. She’s entirely reliable. We’ve been delighted not only with her paintings but have found that in all our dealings with her she is thorough, flexible and accommodating. SHE IS ONE OF THE CHIEF DELIGHTS OF BLANDFORD. If you haven’t met her you should!! She is an inspiration, both in the art work she produces and in her willingness to undertake projects which most other people would find daunting. I’m very pleased we met her six years ago.
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Testimonials from customers:
Annabelle Valentine combines her special talent as an artist with solid business sense and a natural flair for customer relations – a rare combination, indeed!
Over the years I have known her, as a customer and friend, she has worked diligently to grow her business as a commission artist and, more recently, to develop art work inspired by still life and landscapes.
In the early days Annabelle worked in the public eye in the Corn Exchange, Blandford delighting visitors and local folk with her beautiful pictures. These Thursday sessions made quality art work accessible and affordable to so many of us. Furthermore, her work in Blandford and involvement with the Blandford Art Society has helped raise the profile of art in the area, as a source of interest and pleasure.
Annabelle has recently launched a new business development by opening her own gallery. This latest initiative consolidates financial viability whilst raising commercial opportunity to a new threshold. Just as importantly, The Valentine Gallery provides a permanent venue to promote the joy of art for all of us – those of us who choose to buy or those of us who just choose to view and wow!
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10 years ago I met Annabelle at the Corn Exchange in Blandford Forum where she was painting and talking to potential people who could approach her and her paintings. I thought then what a clever idea to be among the people and exhibit at the same time as concentrating on her work of art! Not easy!! We became friends almost instantly. I commissioned a portrait of my husband for his birthday and since then have commissioned and bought 4 more paintings.
Annabelle is truly an amazing and almost surprising hard worker given her looks. I’ll explain: She looks like a lady coming straight from a Pre Raphaelite painting, beautiful and fragile and yet she has the strength, the determination and the ability to achieve all the goals she puts in front of her. The gallery is like a phoenix that has emerged from her sheer hard work for days on end with no breaks till she got to the opening day where she stood in front of the Gallery with her partner Vlad, again looking like a goddess of the art world.
I have nothing but pride for the achievement of my friend; she deserves praise and acknowledgement for her amazing creative mind, her talent and strength.
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I just thought I would write to say how happy we are with our painting entitled ‘Contemplation’ which we commissioned from you. We think that you have been a great addition to the business community in Blandford and your sense of customer service and involvement is second to none. Additionally, you have always been so willing to give of yourself and make time for people in the community. Living in Blandford we have passed the gallery at every stage of its development and seen you hard at work at all hours undertaking the renovations that have resulted in a wonderful facility. We look forward to watching you grow your business. Many congratulations.
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Annabelle Valentine is an inspiration. She has firstly, and most importantly, a huge talent to paint accurate and beautiful portraits of friends, family, dogs, cats, horses, in fact any memory of a loved one that will pass through generations. She has also created, by her own incredible efforts, a gallery in Blandford that showcases her work. She has renovated an old building to make it something truly magical. This she has done single-handedly, completing all the work herself. All this and yet she has always got time for everyone, has a generous heart full of love, and would be an excellent mentor to young people to show that if you have a dream and you work hard, then you can achieve it.
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Annabelle created an exquisite piece of art for us, complex in its execution, being created from many individual photographic images. She has given us an affordable portrait of great quality and beauty. She was a joy to deal with throughout, setting and meeting time-scales and explaining the whole process. Her energy is enviable and she is both creative and business minded. We will commission her again.
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It was my husband’s 50th Birthday in May of this year and I wanted to give him a pastel portrait of our dog as a surprise present. I went to see Annabelle who not only produced a fantastic pastel of ‘Wilson’ but she also did it at very short notice and during Dorset Art Week when she was particularly busy. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I wish her all the best for the future of her gallery.
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My husband commissioned you to paint my horse the likeness is amazing and attention to detail is first class, it will be a constant reminder of my beautiful horse for many years to come.
Thank you Annabelle xxx
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Absolute incredible artist, an inspiration and a outstanding role model. Your work and the gallery is wonderful and you are such a wonderful artist to know, u have not only helped me with advice but you are a exceptional person and one that I’m so lucky to know. Your art is brilliant and the attention to detail is out of this world! xxx
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Annabelle Valentine is an extremely talented Portrait and Still Life Artist. When I first met her she was already very accomplished. She painted my Daughter Lucy and then even gave up her spare time to give her coaching towards her A-level Art Examination.
Annabelle is a totally selfless person and extremely giving. I have watched her from a distance as first she bought her premises and created the wonderful Valentine Gallery.
I believe that she is one of Britain’s top Portrait Artists and her work just goes from strength to strength.
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Annabelle is the most talented artist who I have had the privilege to commission. The item was a piece of unusual metal work. She not only made this piece, but decorated and lacquered the surface giving weather resistance. It has been much admired.
Annabelle made a painting for me from two photograph portraits. The object was to have the two subjects looking lovingly at each other. The result was most convincing and much admired.
I had a weathervane made, with the subject being a toad. It looked stunning on a gabled roof. I commissioned Annabelle to make a painting of the “Toad” .This was so successful that it became the feature of my business letter heading.
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I am happy to confirm that my wife and I were, and still are, thrilled with the oil portrait you did of us in 2009. It will, undoubtedly, become a family heirloom, to be passed down the generations.
We were most impressed, not only with the quality of the work [outstanding] and your fair pricing, but your readiness to meet with us whenever we wanted, take on-board our comments, and complete the commission without undue delay.
Thanks, and thanks again. We hope the new gallery is going from strength to strength.
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I and members of my family have had portraits painted by Annabelle Valentine. We have all been really pleased by the result and feel that they have been really good value for money. We have always found Annabelle to be friendly, interesting and highly efficient. I have enjoyed doing business with her. I strongly recommend her for the Award of Businesswoman of the Year, and also for entrepreneur of the Year.
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Hi Annabelle. I am so happy for you that your business is doing well. You deserve it after all the hard work you put into it, renovating your gallery and putting your life at risk to paint all these nooks and crannies!!! The painting of my Mum and Dad that Karen asked you to do for my birthday all these years ago still takes pride of place on my living room wall. It’s such a good likeness I cried when I received it. Good Luck with your gallery xx
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We have known Annabelle for a number of years and we say without hesitation that she is a charming person who provides first rate customer service along alongside her considerable artistic skills. We have commissioned her to do two oil portraits of our children with which we are delighted. She has always been kind, patient, and courteous and taken our wishes / suggestions into consideration. A pleasure to do business with and we wish her well.
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I commissioned Annabelle Valentine to do a pastel drawing of my son’s lovely dog Frank for a birthday present. WOW is all I can say it is fantastic and I absolutely love it so does my son. It was so lovely to get to know Annabelle she took such great care to involve in all the elements of the picture which was much appreciated. I think Annabelle has a fine talent and would more than happily recommend her. Long may her gallery flourish!