DEBBY MERKEL
Born on Vancouver Island at Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada and raised in Alberta,
I returned to the province of my birth in 1972. Currently, I live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia in the City of Kelowna.
I began studying watercolour in 2007. Through that experience I discovered my passion for art.
I developed a love of deep,, vibrant colours that drew me to acrylics.
After attending a workshop with a California artist in 2010, my style dramatically altered and I shifted from painting realism to abstract art. Ever changing, I create abstracts using texture which ignites the senses. Viewing an abstract is an individual experience stirred by shapes, colours, emotions and memories. When I start to paint, rarely is there a preconceived idea of the outcome and it is more about intuition. The process becomes more like a meditation.
After becoming a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, I facilitated many workshops in the Okanagan and took part in many shows. I let my membership lapse and took a six year hiatus from all creativity. I had no desire to paint and didn't think I would ever paint again. Fortunately, the desire returned as I searched for something shiny and new. The biggest catalyst was a ten-week online workshop with a British artist which catapulted me back to where I want to be - feeling the passion. I learned to play, explore and use my imagination. What I love most is that I've learned to enjoy the journey.
I am currently a member of the Kelowna Palette Club and the Okanagan Artists' Coalition.
My work is found in private and corporate collections across Canada and the United States.
I returned to the province of my birth in 1972. Currently, I live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia in the City of Kelowna.
I began studying watercolour in 2007. Through that experience I discovered my passion for art.
I developed a love of deep,, vibrant colours that drew me to acrylics.
After attending a workshop with a California artist in 2010, my style dramatically altered and I shifted from painting realism to abstract art. Ever changing, I create abstracts using texture which ignites the senses. Viewing an abstract is an individual experience stirred by shapes, colours, emotions and memories. When I start to paint, rarely is there a preconceived idea of the outcome and it is more about intuition. The process becomes more like a meditation.
After becoming a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, I facilitated many workshops in the Okanagan and took part in many shows. I let my membership lapse and took a six year hiatus from all creativity. I had no desire to paint and didn't think I would ever paint again. Fortunately, the desire returned as I searched for something shiny and new. The biggest catalyst was a ten-week online workshop with a British artist which catapulted me back to where I want to be - feeling the passion. I learned to play, explore and use my imagination. What I love most is that I've learned to enjoy the journey.
I am currently a member of the Kelowna Palette Club and the Okanagan Artists' Coalition.
My work is found in private and corporate collections across Canada and the United States.
