Artist Info

Publications

2008 500 Handmade Books, Published by Lark Books, A Division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Exhibitions

2013

Eldorado Arts & Crafts Association Studio Tour, Santa Fe, NM

Winter Art Scene, Red Dot Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2012

Remarkable, The New Mexico Committee of The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Santa Fe, NM

Lumen: Book Art & Fine Art, Red Dot Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

ART: Spring 2012, Red Dot Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

Bag Shows Off, Fine Arts Gallery, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM

2011

Lumen: Holiday Art, Red Dot Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

Lumen: Sculpture and Fiber, Red Dot Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Book Arts Group Show, Rotunda Gallery, New Mexico State Capitol, Santa Fe, NM

2010

Celebration of the Book, Santa Fe Book Arts Group, Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Community College Artist Book Exhibit, Santa Fe Public Library, Santa Fe, NM

2009

Santa Fe Book Arts Group Show, Rotunda Gallery, New Mexico State Capitol, Santa Fe, NM

Celebration of the Book, Santa Fe Book Arts Group, Santa Fe Public Library, Santa Fe, NM

Book Arts Exhibit, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM

2008

Celebration of the Book, Santa Fe Book Arts Group, Santa Fe Public Library, Santa Fe, NM

Eldorado Arts & Crafts Association Studio Tour, Santa Fe, NM

2007

Santa Fe Book Arts Group Show, Rotunda Gallery, New Mexico State Capitol, Santa Fe, NM

2006

Celebration of the Book, Santa Fe Book Arts Group, Santa Fe Public Library, Santa Fe, NM

New Mexico State Fair — Artist Book Division, second place award, Albuquerque, NM

2005

Celebration of the Book, Santa Fe Book Arts Group, Santa Fe Public Library, Santa Fe, NM

Education

American Academy of Bookbinding, School for Fine Binding & Book Conservation, Telluride, CO

    Santa Fe Community College, Media Arts, Books Arts and Hand Papermaking, Santa Fe, NM
    Indiana University, Division of General and Technical Studies — Commercial Art, Fort Wayne, IN
    Indiana University, Fine Arts Department — Ceramics Major

Fort Wayne Fine Art School — Ceramics Major, Fort Wayne, IN

Bio

Debra was born in California and grew up in northern Indiana. Some of her fondest memories evolved around summers at the lake and visits to her grandparents’ farm. During those times she spent many hours exploring and observing the natural world and collecting shells, rocks, bones and other elements of nature. Colors and textures of those found objects inform much of Debra’s artwork today.

Both of Debra’s parents were artists and they encouraged her to be creative and pursue her interest in art. She began her formal art training at The Fort Wayne Fine Art School and at Indiana University where she majored in ceramics while studying with Clyde Burt. Debra and her husband then moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she continued to work in ceramics and pursue a graphic design career.

In 2004 her career began to take a another direction. After taking a class in book arts she developed an interest in the art of making paper and books. Since then she has continued to study with many accomplished artists such as Don Glaister at the American Academy of Bookbinding, School for Fine Binding and Book Conservation, Laura Wait, Daniel Esseg, Barbara Tetenbaum, Andie Thrams, Martha Little, Carol Barton, Peter and Donna Thomas, Hedi Kyle, and Helen Hiebert. She has also studied sumi painting with Karen Fitzsimmons.