My paintings are the result of a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment, an attempt to capture the spirit of nature in all her beauty whether harmonious or tragic. I am inspired by the mystery found in the natural world and its rhythms and movements. Through the use of color and brushstroke I demonstrate the passionate energy of the spirit and mystery found in nature. With an eclectic mix of symbolism, spirituality and introspection, I hope to speak as much to the soul as to the eye.
I try to convey emotions rather than an actual landscape because I want the viewer to use a range of emotions as well as a range of sight. Every aspect, shape, color, intensity, has purpose and meaning. Thus, I leave them untitled so as not to give the viewer a description of the work. The viewer should take from the paintings a description that can only come from the mystery of their own spirit.
Deborah Reeves
Deborah Reeves was born in Rome, Georgia. She pursued a degree in environmental science in the early eighties at Shorter College because of her love of nature and her concern for environmental issues.
She began painting in the early nineties following the death of her mother. She began painting in watercolors but quickly moved on to oil paints because the fluidity suited her style better. Later she began experimenting in acrylics.
The subjects of her earlier work consisted of still lifes and landscapes. She especially liked landscapes because of her love of nature. She took many trips to Colorado and surrounding states and painted from her numerous photographs.
As her work and subject matter began to expand, she decided to return to Shorter College to pursue a degree in art to learn new techniques that could help her along her artistic journey.
Her paintings have become more personal and expressive over the years. Her paintings are more abstract because she feels she can represent the world of emotions better thorough Abstract Expressionism. She is interested in the chaos she finds in nature and wants to express this through the use of thick paint and gesture.