In a sun-drenched studio, Martha Valenta moves with infectious energy between iPad sketches and half-completed art installations. The Webster Groves artist has turned what many consider a challenge—ADHD—into the driving force behind her captivating work.
"My mind is like this constantly moving kaleidoscope," Martha told Kirkwood City Lifestyle, gesturing toward a wall of vibrant, undulating pieces. "For years, I tried to contain it. Now I let it lead the way."
Martha’s artistic journey began with an impulsive childhood moment—touching a Van Gogh painting at the St. Louis Art Museum. “That moment wasn’t just mischief,” she explained. “It revealed how my ADHD would both challenge and shape my artistic expression.”
Today, that same impulsivity fuels late-night creative bursts. “I draw my ADHD-inspired concepts, digitize them, laser cut them from various materials, paint them, and assemble them to create inclusive, tactile works,” she said. The result? Art that celebrates “thinking differently with joyful self-acceptance.”
Martha blends Abstract, Pop, Conceptual, Immersive/Experiential, and Appropriation art styles to explore the complex interplay between mental and physical health. Her work strikes a balance between playfulness and depth, drawing viewers in with bold colors, flowing lines, and tactile textures. Designed to engage, inspire reflection, and foster connection, her art invites audiences to interact and experience it on a personal level.
Her User Experience background informs her focus on accessibility. "I create interactive, tactile works that engage all audiences," she said. “I'm working hard to make my pieces fully accessible, with audio descriptions, tactile interaction, and Braille. Whether through mixed media paintings or immersive installations, this accessibility is central to my creative process."
After years in corporate design, Martha returned to art with renewed purpose. Her immersive installations explore neurodiversity, health, personal narratives, and relationships. “My art is about sparking joyful connections through shared experiences,” she said. "It’s a reflection of the spiraling rollercoaster that is my ADHD mind—not just creating something visually pleasing, but connecting with others, offering a raw glimpse into life with ADHD, and promoting self-acceptance."
Beyond beauty, her work is advocacy. "I hope my work encourages people to think and talk about how we all think differently—and how awesome that is."
After her successful Lost & Found Meditation installation at the St. Louis Art Museum, Martha continues using it as a traveling piece fostering ADHD acceptance.
"The greatest compliment is when someone with ADHD sees my work and says, 'Yes! That’s exactly how it feels in my head.'"
See Attention Disco, Martha’s immersive show this June at the St. Louis Public Library - Central Branch, featuring You Can’t Win (When the Game is Rigged), Lost & Found Meditation, and more.
For more information, visit marthavalenta.com.
Martha Valenta is a contemporary multi-disciplinary artist, whose journey with ADHD profoundly influences her creative expression. Her diverse body of work, spanning mixed media, digital art, and interactive installations, explores neurodiversity, health, relationships, and personal narratives. Combining Abstract, Pop, Conceptual, Immersive/Experiential, and Appropriation art forms, Martha infuses her art with accessibility and engagement principles, ensuring that each piece not only showcases her perspective but also opens up dialogues on neurodiversity. Her aim is to not only share her unique viewpoint but also to encourage acceptance and foster a greater appreciation for the diversity of mental experiences.