Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Debbie Silberberg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Debbie 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?

Last fall, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a lifelong friend, a painter, Tony Staniscia. He is a wonderful painter but reluctant to show his work. I convinced him that we should combine our talents and work together to do a show at a local hotel. We filled the Nyack Hotel lobby with our art work. This collaboration was new to both of us.
I chose pieces from each of his paintings and created my own assemblage work. For example, he painted a red bush in one of his paintings and I used it to create a garden of red flowers, a beaded person to water them using a watering can made from pieces of pottery and glass. He painted a scene with people canoeing. I used wisteria to create a canoe, plastic and pottery for an oar, glass to make a moon and crocheted the water for a Midnight Row. These beaded people allow the viewer to place him or herself inside my artwork. What made this collaboration so special for me was it celebrated our 50-year friendship in a most unique way!

Debbie, 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?

I believe in second chances and get to demonstrate this in my assemblage artwork. I unearth pieces of glass, metal, pottery, and unusual items including car parts from my 100+ year old backyard. These pieces find their way onto my canvases and sculptures. I also choose to honor my grandmother by adding needlework to most of my pieces. When my artwork is viewed, I want my audience to smile and then think about ways they can reuse items they discard. What makes me different from other artists is my connection to the treasures in my backyard and relying on my intuition to lead when creating.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe that society can show its support to artists and creatives in various ways. Seeking out artist’s shows and asking them about their artistic process allows members of society to expand their view of what being creative means. The audience gains an understanding of the feelings and techniques demonstrated by the artist who is expressing their core ideas and feelings. It might even allow the viewer to identify their own desires to be creative.

Purchasing artwork that speaks to individuals in society is another important avenue to create a thriving creative ecosystem. It is a myth that living as a starving artist is a path to creative brilliance. Artists work hard to make a living answering the calls of their souls. The materials they use to express themselves and the places they work in can be enormously expensive. Owning a piece of artwork can bring a new feeling to a home and it is an investment that always has an upside.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

The most significant resource I have recently discovered in my creative journey is seeking help from my fellow artists. The ability to find like-minded souls and get their support has been immeasurable. Asking for help allows me to be accountable when I have a deadline, understand when I am anxious about taking on a new project, and gives voice to the ups and downs of my artistic process. The support I get from the artists surrounding me alleviates the loneliness I sometimes feel as an artist. The basic understanding that the doubts and excitements of being an artist connect us helps to ground me in my artistic journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https:.//www.mybackyardartifacts.com
• Instagram: my_backyard_artifacts
• Facebook: my backyard artifacts
• Other: mybackyardartifacts@gmail.com