Artwork of Debra Lee Blog

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.

The River of Life

This painting is the sixth in the African series and is the most complicated to date.

Begun as an abstract acrylic painting on illustration board two years ago, it has evolved intuitively into a very detailed, symbolic painting.

The title “River of Life” is symbolic of the River Nile, which runs through Africa. Legend has it that all of life began at the headwaters of the Nile. It is the longest river in the world and the three main rivers in Africa flow into it.

The three blue areas of the painting symbolize the three rivers and form the cruciform composition with the convergence of the Cheetah’s face becoming the focal point from which the rest of the painting is read. Vaguely noticing the white elephant in the right hand corner which is part of the Cheetah’s face then following down into the Giraffe’s head and over to the bottom left your eye is led through the painting clockwise then upwards from the Rhino to the Leopard.

From a distance you will notice the abstract painting and interesting primary colors and get drawn in by the larger images and as you get closer you will notice more images and collaged maps and even closer examination will reveal very small collage pieces and hand painted images. Your eye flows through the painting as the River Nile flows through Africa.