THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501190156
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Every day, 32-year-old artist Valerie Carpenter climbs a flight of stairs in a downtown Elizabeth City office building and walks down a long hall.
At the end of the hall is a glass door that opens into her Lavender Loft Art Gallery and Studio, where Carpenter creates batiks - fabric designs made by using wax to guide dye - and teaches art lessons.
When Carpenter first opened that door to a small, unfinished space, she began a new life.
Nearly four years ago, married and the mother of a 2-year-old daughter, Carpenter was told she was suffering from a rare vascular malformation. Her veins were multiplying and her heart became enlarged as it desperately tried to pump blood through the massive spaghetti-like network.
The bottom line was death within three years if Carpenter did not undergo four years' worth of treatments.
There were risks, the young mother was told - like paralysis and skin burns - and she would have to endure years of severe pain.
Fortunately, Carpenter happened to be living near one of only two specialists in the United States who perform the treatments. Facing certain death, Carpenter decided to live with the risks.
Alternating between great pain and recovery, Carpenter received a degree from Elizabeth City State University in art education. Her mother drove up from Kill Devil Hills to take care of her after each treatment.
All went well until June 1993, when a nerve was hit during one of the treatments. Carpenter's left leg became paralyzed from the knee down.
``I lost my identity two years ago when I was paralyzed. I didn't know if I was going to get off the couch or not,'' she said. ``At Christmas in '93 I got the slightest little movement back in my foot.''
Carpenter graduated from college in May wearing a splint. She had regained all feeling except in her left toes. She was ready to begin her career as an art teacher until she discovered she had another hurdle ahead of her.
Her doctor said that two more operations were necessary to complete her therapy. She would not be strong enough yet to teach.
Depression set in and Carpenter took to the couch. Her mother came to the rescue.
``Mom said, `Hey, here's some money. Get up. Get your studio together and make some art,' '' Carpenter said. ``I looked in the paper and there was office space for rent for $100. Mom came in here and helped me paint it white and helped me get the furniture set up.
``She's the one with the decorating flair, and we got an old couch covered so I could lie down when I got tired . . . so I could recuperate and find some purpose, I guess.''
Just a month ago, Carpenter had her final operation. Her life expectancy is back to normal and she is making art every day. In fact, the Pasquotank Arts Council will be featuring her batiks in a show in their downtown Elizabeth City gallery through Feb. 10.
The Lavender Loft is proof that Carpenter is on the road to recovery. Hanging from the line that runs the length of the studio are cloths, hand dyed, featuring a variety of motifs. Her work reflects her current state of mind. She is producing beautiful, spiritual batiks with Southwestern, floral and celestial designs.
Angels are some of her favorites, along with a personalized rendition of ``Kokopelli,'' the Native American symbol for joy and happiness.
With each batik that Carpenter lowers into the vats lining her studio floor, she becomes stronger.
``There is something about the fabric and the wax and the dye that is so therapeutic to me,'' she said. ``It has a body, a life. You never know how the dye is going to go into the wax and the cracks. I like that about it.
``Maybe that's how I feel about life. You never know what's around the corner.''
Carpenter feels fortunate that help was discovered in time for her.
``I feel like I've had a miracle in my life,'' Carpenter said. ``They did not have a successful treatment for what I had until recently. And if they hadn't figured it out I wouldn't be here.
``I feel very guided and blessed and directed, and I have a terrific mom.'' MEMO: Mary Ellen Riddle covers the arts for The Carolina Coast. Send comments
and questions to her at P.O. Box 10, Nags Head, N.C. 27959.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Valerie Carpenter creates batiks - fabric designs made by using wax
to guide dye - and teaches art lessons.
by CNB