BIO
From her first memories, Deborah A. Curtis was greatly influenced by her mother, Shirley J. Curtis. An only child, Deborah was focused on her incredible relationship with her mother. They remained very close throughout her mother’s life until she was called home on Easter Sunday in 2011.
Deborah recalls the first time she saw her mother create a pen and ink drawing. It was of a young female model with a fur mink stole. Deborah was in awe as she watched her mother detail the sketch as it seemed to come to life under her mother’s direction. She was mesmerized by the process. Her passion for art and creativity was firmly in place.
Her Midwest upbringing has also been a great influence on her work. She was raised on several lakes in the Portage area. As she became a teenager, she later lived on small farms in the Vicksburg area. You will see this reflected in her work as her subjects revolve around her local environment. Her collections include rural and farmhouse scenes, lake views, and various types of wildlife that she would observe and interact with on her frequent walks in the countryside.
The deep emotions you will sense in her earlier works come from her life’s experience as a full-time Caregiver for her spouse throughout his long devastating terminal illness called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. This is a rare disorder that is terminal.
This was to include the additional pressure of dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic. After more than twenty years of loving at-home care, Deborah’s husband was released from his illness in February 2021, She is currently healing from her loss and recovering from caregiving. Deborah has said, “God and art saved my life.”
A self-taught contemporary realism artist, Deborah mainly uses acrylics to express her creativity. Some of her works that are meant to express a more complex emotion may include mixed media elements such as inks, modeling paste, or beads and items found in nature.
Deborah is also an amateur photographer. She uses her imagination and photos to be the basis for her artwork. Her art creates a realistic depiction of the subject matter and a sense of atmosphere and light that may not necessarily be present in the source of the photograph. She interprets through her spiritual sensitivities, emotions, and memories during the photography experience. She also studies the photo during the painting process, looking for opportunities to convey these feelings and emotions to the viewer through color, light, and value.
Deborah sells prints of her photography on this site. Some photos are from her life living in Florida and Arizona. Deborah finds beauty wherever she happens to be.
One of Deborah’s favorite quotes:
"Art as process is a meditative activity. True painting is prayer; it happens when everything inside and outside joins in one action."
— Michele Cassou
To learn more about Deborah or to discuss a commissioned artwork, please explore this website. Don't hesitate to contact her with any questions or suggestions.
SLOWING DOWN AND ENJOYING HER PASSIONS
Deborah recently moved to a very unique community with an interesting generational history. She chose the resort after the death of her husband, Rich, in February 2021. She states she learned about the resort when her Aunt, Evelyn Ernst, lived at the resort in the '90s. She found it quiet, peaceful and relaxing. She felt it would be a great place to heal after many years of caregiving. With its peaceful lakeside location and acres of woodland and wildlife, it seemed like the perfect place to slow down.
Through her Aunt, she learned that the resort also offers many activities if a resident would like to interact with the rest of the community. With the COVID Pandemic, the resort still waits for a full monthly calendar of events to return.
The July 2019 issue of Encore magazine features our community as "A truly one-of-a-kind 55+ senior community boasting 160 acres on Portage Lake. The beautiful clubhouse features a café and dining room, an exercise and recreation room, and a stage for outdoor concerts. This pet-friendly resort features 150 manufactured homes sites and 85 RV sites for either seasonal or year-round living."
Deborah feels blessed to live in a highly sought-after location. She is learning to take her time to adjust to her new community. You will see her Original Artwork and Creations for sale by clicking the “Shop” link in the menu.
CV
Deborah A. Curtis (b. 1957, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
https://deborahcurtisdesigns.com | 269.257.8679
Studied Under Marilyn Vleugel
2004 to 2012 | Graphic Design | Independent Contractor | Florida, Arizona, Michigan
2016 | WHAM West Gallery | Surprise, Arizona, USA
Private Collections, Arizona, USA
Private Collections, Michigan, USA
Private Collections, Texas, USA
Various Collections, USA
Selected Exhibitions Locally in Michigan
2022 February 21 to March 18 | Welcome Home, Local Artist | Solo Exhibition | Schoolcraft Public Library | Schoolcraft, Michigan, USA