September's Featured Artist: Debra Lopez
The Wurtsboro Art Alliance will use the month of October to highlight the art and contributions of three year member Debra Lopez. Deb found her way to the gallery having met Vice President Pat Blanco through the gallery Facebook page. She didn’t think her art was gallery worthy. Pat convinced her otherwise and her work now always brings congratulations from visitors and members of WAA. Deb said she always paints to honor her mother. Like her mom, she did art in school but spent 30 years refining her kinesthetic skills as a baker and cake decorator.
Debra has been moved to try to create art that tells a story much like a Norman Rockwell scene. The subject matter she uses in her watercolors is linked to emotions and, like poetry, the paintings seem to fly out of her often allowing her to create several works in a day. It seems to be organic for her to produce work that connects to the spirit and internal experiences of others.
Debra has been inspired by the other artists and their work here at the WAA gallery. She says that members form a diverse, supportive group. She is able to “think outside the box” and be willing to succeed or fail trying new things because of them. Her growth can be seen in her ability to teach classes at the gallery. Teaching Special Needs students watercolor and “simulated stained glass” as part of our DVAA grant was challenging but her “no criticism” technique with them worked well.
Deb will continue her art here at the gallery but hopes to one day branch out to become an illustrator of children’s books. We are sure that once she sets her mind to it, it will happen.
The WAA gallery invites you to come and see Debra Lopez’s art as our monthly featured artist and all the wonderful art provided by members for our October’s show which is themed “Abstracts & Imaginings”. The opening of this month's show will be on Saturday, October 5th with a small reception held for members and visitors. The gallery is open from 12 noon to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday each month. Come get a close look at the work done by all our artists from your local community.