artist's bio
Deborah Strong
was born and raised in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. She graduated from
high school with a Fine Arts award,
followed by a college diploma in Fine Arts and subsequently Computer Graphics. After working as a graphic designer for
many years, Deborah found herself frustrated by her lack of time and
energy for her true passion: creating art. In 2001 she changed her
lifestyle so she could devote more time to focusing on arta decision
that proved well founded because it reunited her with her true vocation
as an artistthen in 2009 she took the final step and began
devoting herself full-time to her art.
Since her childhood, animals played a key role in Deborah's life, from the ponies, cats and barnyard
creatures at the family hobby-farm to the more exotic residents of the
local zoo. The personal connection she makes with members of the animal
world is reflected in her art. She
completed her first pet portrait commissions as a teenager, working
first in pastel then later moving into coloured pencil. In her 20s, she
discovered silk painting and was engaged by the vivid colours and
vibrant quality of that medium. Deborah now works primarily in both coloured
pencil and hand-painted silk, but also enjoys exploring other media. Her silk paintings are
often described as whimsical while her coloured pencil work
demonstrates her proficiency with detail and realism. Deborahs art has
been featured in local group exhibitions, displayed in private
galleries, highlighted in magazines, and showcased at art festivals. Additionally, she has
completed many privately commissioned portraits of horses, dogs and
cats.
Hand-in-hand with Deborahs
love of animals is her enjoyment of the outdoors, ranging from BCs
rugged coastline, to rambling woodland walks, to the serenity of simply pottering in her garden. She has spent untold hours exploring
local trails and roads on horseback and on foot with her dog, and her
love of adventure has taken her hiking on Vancouver Islands West Coast
Trail, long-distance trekking in the United Kingdom, exploring the
swamps and forests of Trinidad and Tobago, and sailing in the
Grenadines. The creatures she meets along the way form much of the
inspiration for her art, as does her current collection of animal
companions.
For more information about Deborah's
work, please contact her by
e-mail.
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exhibitions
Private Shows
Artist's Open House, Langley, BC -
August 2005, September 2006-08, August 2009
Festivals
Langley Artists' Studio Tour - 2009
Art in the Park, Maple Ridge, BC - 2007-09
Arnold Mikelson Festival of the Arts,
White Rock, BC -
1987-96, 2006-09
Arts Alive, Langley, BC -
1993, 1994, 2006-09
Surrey Arts Council: Blueberry Festival
Art Walk - 2007
Group Exhibitions
Fort Langley Artist's Group, Flagstop Gallery, Fort
Langley - 2008 & 2009
"Artist's Best Friend" & "Dogs Just Wanna Have Fun",
Canine Art Guild - 2007
Juried Exhibitions
Arts 2009 - Surrey Art Gallery, 2009 (Honourable Mention)
One for One: A License to Buy Art - Maple Ridge Art
Gallery, 2008
Abbotsford Here and Now - Kariton Gallery, Abbotsford,
BC, 2008
White Rock Painting & Sketch Club Annual Exhibition- 1985, 1987-89
BC Regional Arts Council Annual Exhibitions -
1983, 1985-86, 1989
Cats, Cats, Cats - Gallery in Queens Park,
New Westminster,
BC, 1989
Surrey Arts Centre - Surrey, BC, 1985
Fort Langley Museum & Exhibition Centre - Langley, BC, 1984
Donations
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue - 2008
Beagle Paws Rescue - 2008
Langley Animal Protection Society - 2008, 2009
Canadian Animal Rescue & Extended Shelter -
2007
Critter Care Wildlife Society - 2007
Senior Animals In Need Today
Society - 2007
Cocker Spaniel Rescue Association of BC -
2006
Surrey SPCA - 2005-2009
German Shepherd Rescue Association of BC - 2005
Community Justice Initiatives -
2003, 2005, 2008, 2009
White Rock Hospice Society -
1988
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