In my artistic practice, I specialize in creating architectural lighting objects using stained glass techniques. Glass, light, and color serve as my primary media, through which I express my vision of a miniature Glass City—a realm both mysterious and evocative of long-forgotten childhood imaginative faculties. My works embody a yearning for escapism, crafting a “comfort zone” that bridges past and present. The colored glass, a medium with millennia of history, has long captivated the human mind with its paradoxical qualities of beauty, sturdiness, and fragility. Historically, it has symbolized wealth in private dwellings and facilitated divine upliftment in religious edifices. When light interacts with the colored glass of my castle-shaped sculptures, it induces a state of mind where fantasy and creativity operate at their zenith. My artistic vision is to construct architectural forms that are both illuminated and chromatic, thereby infusing spaces with an air of mystery that I find simultaneously comfortable and cozy. The use of stained glass in my work draws upon its rich cultural and historical significance while recontextualizing it for contemporary artistic expression. By manipulating this traditional medium, I aim to create a dialogue between historical craft and modern aesthetic sensibilities. Through my Glass City, I invite viewers to explore a landscape of illuminated miniatures that challenge perceptions of scale and reality. These pieces serve not only as objects of visual interest but also as conduits for emotional and imaginative engagement, encouraging observers to reconnect with their own capacity for wonder and fantasy. In essence, my work seeks to carve out a space for contemplation and whimsy in our fast-paced world, offering a momentary escape into a realm where light, color, and form converge to create a sanctuary for the imagination.

I am Valerie Paley, an Israeli artist born in the USSR in 1978. Today, I live and work in the Upper Galilee, Israel, where I’ve dedicated myself to creating architectural miniatures using stained glass techniques.
At the heart of my artistic journey is the concept of the “Glass City,” which has become both my primary theme and endless source of inspiration. I spend my days meticulously soldering colored glass pieces into intricate architectural sculptures – buildings, castles, and skyscrapers that come to life under my hands. These three-dimensional creations are a labor of love, each one carefully detailed and designed to project a warm, inviting light that I hope reflects something of my inner world.
My artwork is, in many ways, a form of escapism. I create what I see as a “comfort zone” that bridges the past and present. In this fast-paced modern world, I aim to create pieces that offer a moment of pause, a breath of tranquility in our living spaces. My Glass City can be experienced as a whole urban landscape or appreciated through individual sculptural pieces – each telling its own story.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of showcasing my work in solo and group exhibitions across various galleries in Israel. It brings me joy to know that my pieces have found homes in private collections in Israel, United States, Spain, Albania, Canada and Germany.
Recently, the conflict in northern Israel has brought new challenges. The galleries that once bustled with visitors now stand quiet. But even in these difficult times, I find solace in my work. Every day, I enter my studio with hope in my heart, continuing to create and looking forward to better days ahead. This dedication to my craft, especially during these trying times, reinforces my belief in the resilience of the artistic spirit and the power of creativity to shine even in the darkest moments.
Through my glass sculptures, I continue to explore themes that resonate deeply with me – urban life, nostalgia, and our universal need for sanctuary in this ever-changing world. As I work, I’m reminded daily of art’s enduring nature and its capacity to inspire hope. Even as the world around us shifts and changes, sometimes in unsettling ways, I find peace in shaping my miniature glass worlds, creating havens of light and color that I hope will bring a sense of calm and wonder to others.

Custom orders are exepted as well,  please contact me for further details.