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 Federation of Canadian Artists, the Kelowna Palette Club and On The Edge Collective.
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 Federation of Canadian Artists, the Kelowna Palette Club and On The Edge Collective.
My work is found in private and corporate collections across Canada and the United States.
