FAA Spotlight An Artist interview with Debora Lewis

Fine Art America Spotlight is an opportunity to get to know some of the fantastic people creating and sharing artwork within this community. As artists, we must support each other. Each of us possess an intimate understanding of the creative process. It is this intimate understanding that allows us to truly appreciate the work of our fellow artists. I have taken it upon myself to interview some of my personal favorites here at FAA. I am deeply honored to present these interviews as they occur. Having said that, I am very excited to present my interview with another deeply talented artist: Debora Lewis! Debora is a wonderfully talented artist with a gallery filled with fantastic creations. Please feel free to leave comments. Without further ado:

Question: In your own words, how would you describe your art?

Debora: My soul is full of the masters, da Vinci, Raphael, van Gogh - I have many pieces of artwork similar to many of them. I believe I express a blend of pop art with the bold coloring and styles, with the elegance of the masters.

Question: As an artist, what inspires you to create? How does your creative process work?

Debora: Life makes me create. If I see a person whose features appeal to me, I will sketch or paint them. If I see the free spirit in an animals eyes, I will sketch or paint them. I recently moved to Florida. I have sketched and painted some of the people I have met as they made an impression upon me with either their laughter, their ability to sing, or simply being good company. If I watch the news, at times, I will immediately pick up a paper and pen and document my thoughts in art. There are times, someone's company or voice gives me an inspiration for something else. And if I see a 'how to' video, I am all over it trying to do it. (Pouring paint truly has no talent in my books.)

Question: Can you share a few of your favorite artists? What is it about their work that draws you to them?

Debora: Any master. At times I think I was born in the wrong era of art. I marvel at the skills of the carvings, the sketchings, and the paintings that others have done. I become curious and I attempt to try their style of drawing or painting. I think my favorites are the sketches of da Vinci, Michaelango and Raphael. Their ability to show facial expressions from love to horror and everything in between is fascinating to me and I want to be able to show expressions in my work. I recently did a series of my great nephew, The Adventures of Grady. My niece has sent me videos, pictures and has told me the stories of this young guy. Her husband sent me a video of Grady crawling in their room with a tampon in his mouth and wrote 'boy, he's going to be disappointed when he finds out that isn't food.' I had to paint it. I was sent a video of him sucking on a fish bone like it was the best thing he had ever eaten. I had to paint it.

Question: What are your favorite mediums for creating artwork?

Debora: Watercolor and sometimes an ink or acrylic paint blend mostly - I do sketch with a plain ole #2 pencil daily.

Question: How long have you been an artist?

Debora: I was born an artist. I took color theory classes from a college outreach professor when I was 14. I painted my first mural at age 17 - in a cemetary of all places. I could not make money on it. My desire was to run a gallery or simply paint - there was no money ever in it- still very little. I dropped painting all together at age 20 and I did not paint again until age 65. I pursued and still am working for Super Lawyers in personal injury. I love helping people, and the profession I picked has been very rewarding. I still receive emails and cards from clients years after their case, or their family member's case has concluded. It's quite a reward that they still thank me for my help.

Question: Have you displayed your work elsewhere? If so, where?

Debora: I was on display at The Surfing Pig Restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii for a total of about 9 months prior to the Pandemic.
I was also on display at Windward Mall in Honolulu last Valentine's weekend.
Fine Art America has used my work (it is whatever is in the '0' position on my profile page, in the flipping canvas front page since May. About a year ago, Fine Art America used my Keitch Richards caricature (which I have in position 1), to advertise for the site. They have since used about 8 of my works for the site's advertisements. I made a collection for artwork utilized by FAA.

Question: Aside from artwork, what are you passionate about?

Debora: I love to cook. In my collections you will see my Bitchin' Kitchen. I do competetitvely cook a few dishes - still reigning champion at Waikiki Yacht Club for my salsa. I love to sail, the ocean, the beach. I'm a music lover and I listen to it all.
I love my day job.

Question: Do friends and family show support for your creative endeavors? Who is your primary supporter when it comes to your artwork?

Debora: Yes. My primary supporter, believe it or not, is my employer and co-workers. They are enjoying following me.

Question: What do you get out of art? Can you describe what art means to you?

Debora: Art sets me free. I write my thoughts down as well. In my biography area, I write down my own quotes.

End of Interview

Please click the link below to visit Deboras wonderful gallery. Also, feel free to leave your thoughts on the interview in the comments sections. Make sure to show Debora your support by leaving comments on her amazing artwork! Thank you for the interview Debora, and thank each and every one of you who have taken the time to read this.