Who Am I?

I have always thought of myself as a representational oil painter working in a personal impressionist-tonalist style of light and dark shapes and moods. Now, however, I'm rethinking of myself and my art, becoming more authentic perhaps, representational still, yet more conceptual in nature.

 

My goal was and is to capture the transformative effect light has as it falls in a scene, but more than that. More than the obvious, I painted what I called the invisible nature or quality of light as the light impacts my subject; that thing, that element, that characteristic in my work that one feels at a gut level when viewed – it’s that “thing” we feel that is invisible and unexplainable yet connects us to a painting with something more than the emotion of the moment.  Now, in my rethinking, the light means something more still! The real questions is, what light? Outer, or inner? Both? What? It's taken time, but the answer is: the light from within!

 

Rather than rendering subjects literally, I use the classical techniques of my craft to interpret and express my vision of the light; not what I see, but rather what I feel; But, not quite full abstract. I have succeeded, I thought and think, is when the beauty in something that may seem ordinary, even overlooked, was found and expressed as a fine work of art, art that speaks to the soul as I chase the light; though I love still life work, still life is not enough. I need to change the source of my work from "things" to something deeper; from nouns to verbs!

 

As my artistic journey and adventure continues, I have felt and feel that there is something missing in my work; something that I hope to capture as I attempt to express what I can only describe as something transformational within and about me; call it spiritual, call it mystical, call it whatever you like - it's a calling I am responding to when I was told one morning not long ago to "work in the Light!," the light from within!

 

My Inspiration:

Creative expression is an innate essence that dwells within all of us from

the beginning. That is one truth I know for sure. What form it takes is up

to us and whether it will be used for good or for bad. For that form to

come forth we must let our Soul speak. And for It to speak, we must first

know it exist within, then call it forth and trust to let it direct you on that

journey.

 

It has taken many years for me to make that first step of Knowing. Those

years were filled with hours of reading and asking to be shown where the

wisdom of creation resides. Once I opened that first door, my art had to

change. Still the direction was unclear. That desire for guidance came

through periods of aloneness and meditation. All request are answered

and mine came some six years ago. A voice as clear as a bell from

somewhere other than my own thoughts spoke, “Work in the Light.”

Although I was clueless to its real meaning, I trusted that the message was

to be followed. A few days later, still asking for guidance, It spoke again.

“Be the Light.”

 

Since those messages, I have been on a pilgrimage to understand their meaning

which has brought me to this place I call The Inner Soul-Sphere. It is my

understanding of the quantum world of space that is made up of energy,

light, and love. The ancient teachings had no distinction between the inner

and outer world. And that simple yet profound understanding has made

all the difference for me.

 

My Work:

 

My paintings are my attempt to express the elements of my Inner Soul-Sphere.

Just like words without a reader, visual images alone can’t convey true essence

 without an observer. My works are painted with this spirit in mind – they are

my soul works!

 

My Intention:

 

My intention is to speak my truth both in what I write here and what I paint.

Perhaps we can rediscover that something that feels lost in our world today.

I invite you to enjoy both, and return again and again as you come along side

me on this inner soul-sphere journey of Energy, Light, and Love.

 

A Little History:

Florida born, I am professional artist mastering the still life, landscape, and portrait/figure since 1997.  Currently in Port Orange Florida, I first enjoyed the works of the Old Masters while living in Europe as an “Army brat.” My original inspiration to become an artist came about with family visits to fine art museums, historic castles, and the classic fine art I experienced in Europe.  Upon returning to the States, I pursued an art carrier throughout my early years having the good fortune to study oil painting with the artistry and teachings of Ralph L. Bagley, a Willem de Kooning contemporary and founder of Florida’s first atelier before he joined Orlando College, Orlando, FL.

 

I majored in fine art during her undergraduate college years, but later finished as an educator earning her masters and doctorate degrees along the way. I continued her fine art education and mastery of the painting techniques of the Old Masters through workshops and study with accomplished artists Greg Kruetz, Michael Siegel, Joshua Fallik, Sadie Valerie, Joseph Paquet, Seth Haverkamp, and Myron Barnstone.

 

Painting from life and life experiences, my subjects included family heirloom, antique fabrics and pottery,  regional landscapes, and the people of Florida and North Carolina. I treated the lay of fabrics like a landscape transformed by light, the pottery representing mankind metaphorically; the working of the earth by human hands, warmed by light. I paint in oils for oils too metaphorically represent a complete circle of life – from earth to life, and from life to art – for the oils and color pigments too come from the earth. For me, painting in oils remains a kind of spiritual experience in addition to being a personal means of expression.”  

 

Like many artists, I first sold my artwork directly to the public through community, regional, and national art shows and festivals where I received numerous awards. Over the years my work was offered in fine-art galleries in Naples, FL, Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; Fredericksburg, TX; and Kennebunkport, ME. A member of OPA since 2004, my work has been frequently juried into national and regional OPA exhibitions beginning in 2005.

 My professional affiliations include Oil Painter’s of America, Portrait Society of America, and Art Renewal Center, and the National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society. Publications include the Halifax Magazine, the Daytona Beach News Journal, and American Art Collector.  Some of my artwork is also held by Volusia County Art in Public Places, and the Museum of Art and Science of Daytona Beach in the Museum’s permanent and loan collections.

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Website: https://www.deborahelmquist.com/