Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deb Komitor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Deb thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I tend to work in series. Years ago I was able to visit Jedediah State Park in Crescent City, CA. Trees are one of my true loves, but the redwoods captured my heart and soul. As we were approaching the park I didn’t see anything extraordinary, then we turned the corner and I yelled at my husband, “Steve! Stop the car!” I got out and started walking down the middle of the road tears streaming down my face feeling totally accepted, loved and at home. It felt like I’d found my ancestors. It felt like home.
In 2018 I was able to visit Olympia National Rainforest in WA. The tall cedars welcomed me with open branches, surrounded by the constant story of life from death. Nurse trees laid bare on the ground supporting the seedlings growing on their backs.
The constant rains provided the moisture for beautiful waterfalls, lush huge ferns, vibrant green mosses, and dense under growth. The soft rich mulch of the trails surely covered ancient dinosaur bones.
What does an artist do with all those emotions but pour them back into their work? This started a long series of painting what I’ve loved since childhood — tall trees, fallen trees, the creeks, trails and animals, My paintings are narrative, visual, journal entries of places I’ve been, seen or imagined that take my breath away and awaken my sense of wonder!
This poem I wrote sums up what I intend to convey in my paintings.
A Prayer by Deb Komitor
May we always find light in the darkness of the forest.
May we walk in the company of trees and follow the length of their long branches
as they reach toward the sky in a symbol of hope.
May we see that the forest is made up of many different forms. All types of trees, plants, flowers, insects, birds, and animals are there to sustain each other.
May we be in awe of the variety; the flavors of each species, the beauty of diversity, the connection of all things.
May we search out nature and walk in her warm embrace of love, peace, acceptance and hope.
May we look at the mountains and embody their strength, resilience and groundedness.
May we feel the calmness of the oceans, knowing the waves will continue to bring forth our dreams and take away our worries.
May we see each other through eyes of compassion, empathy, love, peace and understanding.
May we be seen.
May we find the strength and courage to express the light of our being.
May we acknowledge our differences while seeing our likeness.
May we hold on to hope.
And when it rains on our parade may we carry on and dance in the puddles.
Deb, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Originally from the Midwest, my husband, Steve and I have made Colorado Springs, CO home since 1997. We are currently custodians of a 100+ year old silver maple in the front yard of a cottage built in 1898. Nearby, the large ancient cottonwoods along the creek of Shooks Run Trail, call for walks and inspiration with Zoey and Willow, my constant companions and studio pups, by my side. After attending Columbus College of Art and Design, receiving a BFA in painting, I pursued an MFA in painting at Colorado State University. With close to 50 years behind the brush I have exhibited in numerous galleries, art centers and museums around the country, and have works in countless public and private collections. My work has received national recognition in multiple arts publications.
My paintings create windows to the natural world and express my spiritual connection to nature. Nature provides multiple metaphors for how we live our lives. My work shows how opposites are complimentary; the calm and the chaos, the joy and the sadness, the dark and the light. You can’t have one without the other, but always there is hope. My vision is to awaken in people the awe, wonder, and healing powers of a walk in the woods. I paint what I’ve loved since childhood — tall trees, fallen trees, creeks, trails and the creatures of the forest. Through large scale paintings, the viewer is placed inside the experience. You feel the energy of the subject through each brush stroke. The paintings don’t just draw you in; they come out and get you. They engage you to enter and experience the strength, peace, love, hope, joy, and calmness of nature. Ohio-born, trees, nature and creating were always a part of me.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
A while back I had several paintings in a group show at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, CO. I received an email from a young man telling me how much one of the large landscape paintings touched him. The art center was his first excursion in months, as he was suffering from anxiety issues. He said the painting immediately calmed him down and surrounded him in peace. He took a photo of the painting so he could look at it when he felt anxiety coming on and wanted to know if that was ok. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than knowing my artwork can help someone in this way. To be able to transport people out of their challenges, fears and suffering to a place of peace, hope, surrender, and a sense of wonder, is always my goal. My mom had polio in her early 20’s and post polio problems later in her life making walking difficult at times. Many of my works invite the viewer to walk right in and experience the peace, love, strength and resilience of the forest. It is my way of taking her and others along with with me as I wonder in this world and navigate these times.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I have a formal arts education, getting a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design and MFA from Colorado State University. I greatly appreciate all the skills I learned and the time I was able to take to explore and develop those skills. But as an artist at some point I believe you have to free fall to develop your voice and find your own techniques. Each of us have different ways of processing information. I started painting on a black surface and suddenly everything I learned in college was turned backwards and made complete sense to me. I work foreground to background, dark to light, laying down strokes of color allowing the eyes to mix the tones not blending them. My dyslexic way of painting, if you will.
One other thing I have unlearned is that vulnerability is not a weakness. It is a strength and super power in connecting to others through our art. We are all in this together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.debkomitor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debkomitor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebKomitorStudio/
Image Credits
Casey Chinn Photography Eric Murphy Photography