Debbie's Art Studio, Biography

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Since childhood I have been an artist. Beginning at a very
early age I remember drawing and painting. I explored many
different mediums and styles.

I attended the University of New Mexico and received my
BFA in drawing and painting. Two out of my four years of
college were spent exploring working only in black and
white, using charcoal and pencil. After that I returned to
working in color using watercolor.

For the past several years I have had the great privilege of
studying with Ning Yeh, renowned master brush painter.
Brush painting is now my medium of choice. I absolutely
love it. I demonstrated brush painting at the Hillcrest Fine
Arts Festival in La Habra Heights and will do so again for
their 50th Celebration in February 2010. I had a very
successful large showing at the Cerritos Millennium Library
in September/October 2009. Future plans include teaching
brush painting, as well as continuing exhibitions and
demonstrations.

I have chosen the Hsieh-I (pronounced “Shay-ee”) (Depicting
Idea) style of brush painting. I depict my idea of a particular
flower and not the literal flower in front of me. Po Mo
(meaning “throw ink”) is the method that I use. Once a stroke
is done – it’s done. Spontaneity, freedom and honesty are
some of the important principles in this method of painting.
Once a painting is completed, I then hand mount each
painting on a special mounting paper, using an archival non-
yellowing paste. This process restores the color and brush
strokes to their beautiful state that was visible when first
painted. The luminescence, color blending and quality of
brush strokes acting on the rice paper is unlike anything I
have ever experienced while doing western watercolor. I
love the spontaneous, lively quality of the brush in contact
with the paper. The loading and blending of water and color
is critical for each stroke.

The control and skill that must be used in handling the
brushes is endlessly fascinating to me. There are some
brushes called hard brushes that work better for lines and
some softer ones that work better for broader shapes such
as flower petals. Each brush handles differently. The
brushes are made out of a variety and number of very
specific animal hairs.

The red stamps on my paintings are called “seals” or
“chops”. The seal that is above my name on each painting is
my name in Chinese. The various other seals have different
meanings such as love, tranquility and harmony.

This is a fresh, new approach to my art through
Chinese brush painting:

powerful clear visions
liveliness of strokes
freedom/spontaneity of strokes
gracefulness
simplicity/essence of subject matters
beauty in life

OFFERING FINE ART FOR YOUR
HOME AND BUSINESS:
All original paintings.
Commissions gladly accepted.

Professional Affiliations: Southern California Artists
Association, Huntington Beach Art League, Whittier Art
Association.

Certificate of Merit 2009 - Chinese Brush Painting
Teaching Techniques, Professor Ning Yeh.

I am available to demonstrate brush painting.