Debra Barr Smith
  • about the artist
  • recent paintings
  • exhibitions
  • links
  • Contact
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Debra’s paintings are about colour, about marks making up shapes and getting something arresting to happen visually.  She strives for the playful, the exuberant and the uplifting. She is inspired by images from the natural world—especially flowers, landscapes, still life, animals and the human form. 
 A sketching visit to the local circus in July 2019 led to an exploration of the exciting images and symbolic meanings of the circus in monoprint. From these sketches and monoprints arose her “lockdown book” The Allegorical Circus.  Please do follow the links to her book available to view at  blurb.co.uk and available to buy on www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com.
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Debra paints in oils, acrylic, watercolour gouache and ink. She often combines these media and may also include pastel, ink and collage.  She also thoroughly enjoys the spontaneity and freedom of monoprints.
 
Debra’s favourite artist is Matisse.  “Good colour sings,” he said.  “It is melodious, aromatic and never overbaked.

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Debra studied for her B.Arts degree at Beloit College, Wisconsin, U.S.A. and for her M.Ed degree at Bristol University, UK.  She taught art at primary school level for many years. Now she devotes herself to her own artistic activities. 

​She has  retired as   Area Coordinator for the Sevenoaks Area Artists taking part in South East Open Studios and from a five year stint as Coordinator for the newly formed sister organisation Art in June which encompasses the Sevenoaks and Eden Valley Areas.  
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​Having served for 20 years on the Committee for Sevenoaks Art Club, including 3 years as Chair, she has retired from the Committee, but still an enthusiastic member and exhibits with them regularly. 
 
Debra also helps  the Kent Painters Group as a Committee member and as an Invited Artist. .  Profits from sales at KPG Exhibitions  have raised several hundreds of thousands of pounds towards local mental health charities.

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Debra spends several months each year in Florida where she paints with the Peace River Painters who meet weekly to paint in various beautiful settings. She  exhibits at local galleries.  Her favourite gallery  is in Punta Gorda. Becky’s Garden Shoppe. ... described as  “...a unique little place that combines art with gardening.”

Her travels also take her to  Greek islands  where she combines a yoga retreat with painting afternoons, and  comes home with many lively watercolours inspired by the beautiful islands including Paros, Lesbos, Santorini and for 2019 Zakynthos.
 
She continues her professional development by regularly attending the wonderful painting and printmaking courses at West Dean, near Chichester, West Sussex. She counts herself lucky to live so near London and able to make frequent visits to all the gloroius exhibitions available there.  Always a pleasure  and inspiration looking at the work of other artists.
 
Debra has a small gallery in the UK where she welcomes visitors by prior appointment.  Telephone +44 (0) 7542561530

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  • about the artist
  • recent paintings
  • exhibitions
  • links
  • Contact