Suffolk-based etcher and print-maker, Valerie Thornton was born in London and initially attended Elinor Birley's Primary School, Charterhouse, before being evacuated to Montreal, Canada with her two brothers during the war years. Returned to London 1944 to continue her education and began art school training at the Byam Shaw School of Drawing and Painting (1949), later qualifying at Regent Street Polytechnic under P F Millard.

Became attracted to the work of Winifed Nicholson after receiving one of her paintings as a 21st birthday present. During this period, she began her long love affair with architecture, after visiting a photographic exhibition featuring details of church buildings. She also became interested in the work of Engli...