We were lucky to catch up with Debora Levy recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Debora thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
Unexpected problems always arrive. when we least expect it. Sometimes it is due to a chemical reaction of the materials, and other times composition and design problems.
And some other times personal problems come up in life that does not allow us to continue being in my studio.
In short, many things happen outside of our control. But the important thing is to solve those problems and try to minimize the effects. or take advantage of problems to get something good out of them.
Understand that we are ingenious artists who can solve many problems.
For example. One day I was placing gold leaf on a panel and by putting a sealer wrong, the leaf on the entire painting was rusted.
It was frustrating after wasting days putting on the gold leaf.
However, although the result was not what I expected, accidentally the gold leaf looked beautiful, and by changing my design, I achieved a fantastic painting.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve spent many years working hard to achieve a quality in my paintings that satisfied me. It took a lot of time, patience, and dedication to learn different techniques and find my own style. I firmly believe that good art sells itself, but that doesn’t mean I can sit back and wait for it to happen. Discipline is crucial, and I make sure to spend time every day practicing and refining my skills. I also put in a lot of effort to create a substantial and high-quality portfolio, which has helped me secure spots in galleries and art fairs.
I love painting with different materials like oil, acrylic, gold leaf, and silver leaf, and often combine them to create unique and striking pieces. It’s incredibly fulfilling to sell my art and see it hanging on someone’s wall, bringing joy and beauty into their home.
I’m also passionate about sharing my knowledge and love for art, which is why I offer painting classes in my studio, Room4art. It’s wonderful to see students grow and develop their own artistic style.
One of the things that makes me proudest is knowing that all of my works of art are one-of-a-kind and original. I use only the highest quality materials to ensure that my art lasts for generations to come.
I’ve won several awards and honorable mentions, but the greatest reward is knowing that my art is appreciated and brings joy to others. I’m grateful every day that I get to do what I love and am excited to see where my artistic journey takes me next.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I remember the start of 2020 all too well. It was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and my sales and gallery entry projects were closed. I was left feeling frustrated and helpless. One particular gallery in Miami that had five of my large paintings simply closed down, and they never answered my calls. My five paintings were lost, and there was nothing I could do about it.
But instead of feeling defeated, I decided to channel my energy into something positive. I came up with the idea to create a series of paintings called “Resilience.” It was a way for me to express the qualities that human beings need to have during moments of adversity. Titles like Energy, Kind, Vigor, Rethink, Vitality, and Strength came to mind.
I worked tirelessly on these paintings during the pandemic, pouring my heart and soul into each piece. Little did I know that they would become such a huge success. I posted them on my Instagram account, and the response was overwhelming. The Energy painting was selected by Pixels billboard around the USA. I was chosen as the Featured Artist for Fine Art ArtWalk San Diego, California. The Rethink painting was selected to be printed on the cover of Biological Psychiatry, and the Vitality painting was chosen by “the Healing Power of Art.”
It was a surreal experience, and I never imagined that my paintings would have such a huge impact. Looking back, I realize that life is a rollercoaster ride, sometimes we’re on top, and sometimes we’re not. But what’s important is having a good disposition, courage, and passion. These qualities help minimize the impact of the problems we face.
Creating the Resilience series was an incredible experience for me, and it taught me the power of positivity and perseverance. Even when faced with adversity, we can still create something beautiful and meaningful. My story is a reminder that with hard work and determination, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
For me, creativity has always been an important part of my life. I believe that every person has the potential to be creative, but often negative thoughts can get in the way. That’s why I think it’s essential to push those thoughts aside and focus on the beauty around us. Whether it’s the intricate details in a flower or the play of light and shadow in a landscape, there’s always something that can inspire us to create.
I also believe that everyone has an internal restlessness or drive to create something meaningful. We all have unique perspectives and experiences that can be expressed through art, music, writing or any other form of creative expression. But it’s not enough to have that restlessness; we have to develop it and work hard to achieve our creative goals.
For me, this meant taking classes, experimenting with different mediums, and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. It also meant being patient and persistent, even when my work didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. Through trial and error, I discovered what worked best for me, and I continued to refine my skills over time.
In the end, the most important thing is to believe in yourself and your creative potential. Don’t let negative thoughts hold you back, and always keep an open mind to new possibilities. With hard work and determination, anyone can be a creative person.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deboralevyart.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/deboralevy_art?igshid=1xqtmws6ammcs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debora.levy.3
- Other: [email protected] [email protected]