Artwork of Debra Lee Blog

Peace Crane Batik

It’s been a long time since my last blog. I have been working on a lot of new things in between the art fairs. Some of the fairs have been challenging and the weather has not been very cooperative. Between the heat and rain I have been persevering. The upside is that I have met a lot of really nice people and many of my paintings have found happy homes.
Firefly art fair in Waauwtosa was one of my favorite shows this summer, saw a lot of my patrons and met lots of new friends.
I am off to Green Lake this weekend, bringing along my newly framed painting from the Nature Series; Hummingbirds. I like the way it presents itself.

My newest experiment is batik (painting/dying) fabric. It means working in reverse to what I am used to so there is a lot of thought that goes into the piece as it develops.

Continue to follow my art fair schedule and make sure to come and visit me.

Nature Series: Hummingbirds

This time of year and I am always inspired to paint the wonders of nature as everything seems so new.  This will be a series of five large paintings all about the beauty of nature; songbirds, flowers and butterflies, everything found in my flower gardens.

It has been a long time since my last post. Lots of problems with my computer and painting and paperwork with applications to the art fairs keeping me busy.

With the weather getting nicer it makes me start to think of the art fair season.
I have been creating a lot of small paintings and have been very happy with the results.  I have also been working on several larger paintings including my newest parrot painting which evolved into a collage of art construction paper. Very time consuming but so worth it.

I just returned from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I did a little watercolor sketch on the beach that was very fun to do. Better than photos and a great place to paint.

After much hard work and deliberation I have finally finished the five paintings of my Yellowstone Series that I began in June of 2009. All of these paintings are on 24″ x 24″ masonite panels that my lovely patron Eric built. They are all begun with a coat of gesso (white art paint) into which I inscribe a meaningful saying either made up by me, from poems and in the case of the bear and bison are from Native American Indian sayings. When dry I added layers of acrylic paints and textures and created the paintings in mostly monotones, in which the animals seem like they are emerging from their surroundings somewhat hidden, as in nature.

I hope to have some if not all of them at the art fair in Green Bay, Feb. 6 & 7. I hope you can come to preview my new art. These paintings will be added to my website in New Paintings and in their category of Yellowstone and I hope to have each painting’s sayings printed by them also.

Someone noticed that my whimsical improv series is a direct knock off of the work of Kandisnsky. I have always mentioned that when talking about these paintings and will say so again, these paintings are “after Kandisnsky” in that I used his designs and made animals from his abstract shapes that the work inspired. They were fun to do.

Dearest Patrons,

I have been working very hard on some new paintings in my Yellowstone series.  I hope to have them with me at the GreenBay art fair Feb. 6 & 7 at Shopko Hall.

  It’s a busy time of year for painting, applying to art fairs and figuring taxes.  Also busy with print making and inventory.

I am looking forward to time with patrons and other artists in February.  Hope to see you there!

I had started this new painting 2 years ago with a totally new concept; meaningful words underneath the actual painting.  I knew I wanted it to be a spiritual painting but I didn’t know what direction it would go in.  After applying soft watercolors in pastels I added textures to the wet paint and let them dry.  I then studied the abstract painting off and on for the next 2 years without seeing any direction to go in.

In the meantime I started collecting photos from another artist of concrete angels in cemeteries.  This gave  me  the idea of going in the direction of an ethereal angel with this piece .

I collaged in laces and feathers to give the  illusion of angel wings and used threads to emphasize the angels face and details.

Does it say “Angel” to you?

Cabin in the Mountains

Purple Mountains

River in Zion

Well, I have finally finished the paintings that I started in Zion National Park while I was in Utah for an art workshop.  They are all watercolor and were painted “Plein Air” or on location.  It was a wonderful experience to set up my equipment along the side of a beautiful river and waterfalls against the backdrop of mountains.  I sat on the side of a cliff, and on a footbridge.  I welcome comments.

   I have just returned from a trip to Utah where I attended a watercolor workshop.  A lovely lady and her family let me stay with them in their home outside Zion National Park.

     I have to confess that I played hooky two full days and went into the park to paint and hike.  It is truly one of the most beautiful parks in our country and I came home with five new (unfinished) paintings and much more inspiration to keep me going for a long time.

     I will try to post these paintings as I finish them under the heading of Zion.  Most are watercolors but I also used pastel which I love to work with.

     Now is the time of year to immerse myself in my art.  I will keep you posted…

    It is the end of the 2009 Art Fair Season for me.  Thank you to all my lovely patrons who purchased paintings from me, enabling me to continue on my art journey.  You are my inspiration and encouragement.