Debbie Desmarais
1 Course • 0 StudentBiography
Debbie Desmarais is a Calgary based multidisciplinary artist working in painting, drawing, jewelry, fibre sculpture, graphic design and photography. Inspired by Photoshop, she explores layers of textures, colours and transparency creating works with depth and translucence as light travels through the layers of paint. She explores various mediums, enjoys the creative process, and teaching it and techniques.
Debbie grew up in Windsor Ontario where she attended WCCA (formerly Windsor Centre for the Creative Arts)under the direction of professional artist John Vacratsis, and graduated in 1992. After moving to and working in Alberta for a few years, she earned a BFA in Photography at Alberta University of the Arts (formerly ACAD) in 2004. While completing her degree, she was an Arts Program Facilitator at Community Living Alternative Services (CLAS) creating curriculum, facilitating and teaching various art classes. Following graduation, she worked as a lead stylist and photographer at Ridgerock Photo Studios in Calgary AB, photographing off-figure products for various retailers including Mark's Work Warehouse. She has recently quit management in the hospitality industry to pursue a career in the Arts full time, including teaching Art Fundamentals at Asylum for Art, hosting Paint Nights
Community connections have lead to showings at local businesses with solo shows at local coffee shops and live music venues, including a yearly show at Central Blends, Weeds Cafe, Mikey's Juke Joint, Ironwood Stage & Grill, Wine-oh's & The Bluescan. Debbie has curated and exhibited group shows at some of the same local businesses while in operation, Big Blues Funhouse Group show, Life - Capture the Moment Group Show, Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy Group Art Show and participated in the city's annual Art Walk. These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things is a series of portraits of her favourite musicians and song writers, and is permanently exhibiting at Ironwood Stage & Grill & Mikey's on 12th. Debbie's growth as an artist has been very grassroots and community involved as her community has offered opportunities and support, while her art is in international collections. She has also illustrated "The Tree By The Woodpile", a First Nations children's book of Dene teachings, published March 2018 by Durvile Publications.
