Although always artistically inclined, it wasn’t until 2000 that Debra followed her dream of taking art classes.
In September of 2010 she found a studio space in Dobbs Ferry where she began to participate in open studio tours and experience the thrills of selling her work and having her first solo show.
In January 2015 Debra moved her studio to its present location in Peekskill. Peekskill has brought Debra sales, commissions and solo shows.
Her subjects are still lifes and landscapes in oil, and portraits of people and animals in pencil. She loves painting in oil for its rich color and texture. Her brush work is often visible in her paintings. She enjoys the versatility and portability of pencil, and as she does with oil, likes the medium to show itself.
All of Debra’s teachers have been classically trained. She follows that tradition.
Debra served as a Board Member for the Peekskill Arts Alliance for two years. In 2020, Debra was recognized for her service with this letter
2018: David Fox, Andrew Lattimore, Center for the Arts
2017: David Fox, Center for the Arts
2017: Cami Salaz, Tarrytown, NY
2013-2014: Cami Salaz, Art Academy of Westchester, Dobbs Ferry, NY
2011-2012: Studio A Gallery, Athena Bing He, Tarrytown, NY
The Art Academy of Westchester, Vicente Saavedra, Jonathan Trotta, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Center for the Arts, Andrew Lattimore, David Fox, White Plains, NY
2002-2010: Lattimore Atelier, Cornwall, NY
Center for the Arts, White Plains, NY
Vesselina Traptcheva, Tarrytown, NY
2000-2002: Irvin Lopez Studio and School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
New York University, M.A.
Virginia Commonwealth University, B.S.
2024: Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY
2022: Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY
2020: Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY
2019: Coffee Labs, Tarrytown, NY
2018: Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY
2016: Muddy Water Coffee & Café, Tarrytown, NY
Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY
2012: The Donald Gallery, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Scarsdale Art and Frame Shop, Scarsdale, NY
2022: Peekskill Arts Alliance juried show at the Field Library Gallery, "New in 2022", Peekskill, NY
2022: Reflections on the Hudson, Blue Door Art Center Juried Show in collaboration with Beczak Education Center, Yonkers, NY
2021: Peekskill Arts Alliance, PAA/WCC CELEBRATIONS
2021: Peekskill Arts Alliance Juried Virtual Exhibit
2019: Field Gallery, Winter Wonderland, A Celebration of the Season, Juried Show, Peekskill, NY
2018: Field Gallery, Winter: Darkness and Light, Juried Show, Peekskill NY
2017: SIA “Nothing Is As It Seems,” Peekskill, NY
2017: Muddy Water Coffee & Café, Tarrytown, NY
2017: River Arts Open Studio Tour, Tarrytown, NY
2016: Reilly League Exhibit, Oresman Gallery, Larchmont Public Library
2016: Peekskill Arts Alliance “Sneak Peek”
2015: Reilly League Exhibit, Mamaroneck Public Library
Peekskill Arts Alliance “Sneak Peek”
2014: Reilly League Exhibit, Mamaroneck Public Library
River Arts Preview Studio Tour Exhibitions
Other: Lattimore Atelier, Center for the Arts, Vesselina Traptcheva, Irvin Lopez Studio and School
2018 – 2020: Peekskill Arts Alliance
Peekskill Arts Alliance, Peekskill, NY
The Reilly League of Artists, White Plains, NY;
Garrison Arts Center, Garrison, NY
2017 - The Hudson Independent Newspaper: Viewfinder
2012 - The Enterprise Newspaper Article: In Motion, Painter is Free to Capture Her Still Subjects