Valor Art of Inclusion Commission

Adam Cooley is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends myth, ritual, and contemporary life. Drawing from years spent living in Japan and a deep interest in folklore, symbolism, and the psychology of belief, his paintings and sculptures explore how stories—ancient and modern—shape identity, fear, devotion, and power. His work often moves between the playful and the unsettling, using monsters, icons, and human figures as mirrors for emotional and cultural states.

Cooley’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in private and institutional collections, including recent large-scale public displays. Known for mixing traditional techniques with experimental materials and processes, he treats making as both craft and inquiry—each piece a negotiation between control and chance, where image, material, and story converge.

The 2024 Art of Inclusion Artist is Brenda Allison, a Decatur portrait artist with her own studio.

Brenda is an entrepreneur, and started her photography business in 2008. “I’ve spent the past 20 years capturing the beauty, strength, and individuality of people through my lens.” She does heirloom family portraiture, individual sessions, and branding personality photo sessions with edge and intention.

For Valor’s 2024 Art of Inclusion commission, Brenda crafted an image titled “Women of Valor,” capturing the strength and serenity of Valor’s women investors (limited partners) in Valor’s office. Each partner received her own professional portrait as well as the group session photo.

Austin is a native of San Francisco who is now based in Atlanta. His work has been featured in places like Super Bowl Live, City of Atlanta, Atlanta Zoo and Lyft, among others.

Through his art Austin delves into the concepts of contrast and harmony, utilizing shapes, colors, and space to convey these ideas. His preferred style involves painting compositions of geometric shapes, often featuring subjects such as animals or human, frequently alternating between representational and abstract approaches, seeking to explore diverse artistic expressions.

“While I am self-taught, I prioritize continuous learning and growth in my craft. I strive to constantly expand my knowledge and skills, ensuring that I never let much time pass without acquiring something new related to my artistic practice. As a result, each artwork I create holds personal significance as a milestone in my artistic journey. Ultimately, my goal is to captivate viewers with my work, sparking their curiosity, offering fresh perspectives, and igniting their own creative endeavors.”

My work is a study, practice and exploration of the relationship between the sacred and the mundane. I am interested in rethinking repetition and how discipline as devotion can transform everyday ordinary activities into meaningful ritual. I inves- tigate these themes through a movement meditation practice using Japanese ink on paper. The practice is a meditation in motion, a prayer on the page. A portfolio of work is shown at the Bella Cucina storeXstudio in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia and in select exhibition shows.
Ensō is a prevelant symbol in the Japanese arts culture, known as Michi or Japanese arts and ways, which is universally known as the circle of infinity & enlightenment . It is a traditionally Zen practice studied repetitively for years, perfecting the calm and grace to realize the full potential and spiritual expression of ki or chi, energy. The brushstroke is one of deliberate and focused attention; a reflection of the artist’s state of consciousness on the page.

Ashley is a fine artist from Atlanta who started doing commercial murals about 5 years ago when she left her prior career in mental health.

“The legacies of ancient civilizations have been portrayed through their motifs and art that we now use to define who they may have been. Today, we easily recognize the people represented in tribal motifs from around the world. The artistic direction of this piece was inspired by my personal understanding of inclusion as a black minority female founder in Atlanta, visually conveying the lens of my own experiences. In using freehanded patterns, designs, and vibrant colors in a repetitive way, I am inspired by what I see in my own culture. As one of hundreds of minority founders with promising startups in Atlanta, I’ve cultivated how I express the world as I see it and take this opportunity to establish a legacy within my own community. “

Brandon aka Rising Red Lotus is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with a B.F.A in illustration.

He is renowned for his public murals and his solo and group exhibitions have brought him accolades as one of Atlanta’s most prolific artists. His work has been collected by individuals as well as the High Museum of Art. In addition to contributing to the fine art world, he has also worked with several major brands to successfully bring his unique vision into the commercial space. Brandon’s work on the set of MARVEL Studio’s Black Panther hasbrought great attention to his creative versatility in recent years. Recognized for his work on the film and career to date, he was awarded SCAD’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Nicole Kutz is an artist and curator based in Nashville, TN. She received her MFA in 2017 from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a concentration in painting.

Her work meditates on life’s transience by using handmade pigments and dyes to create ethereal abstract worlds. She frequently draws inspiration from Wabi-sabi, as well as the Japanese artforms of shibori and kintsugi, and ultimately finds beauty in the work’s imperfections. Her pieces have been shown in galleries, corporate institutions and private collections throughout the world including: Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London. Https://nicolekutz.com