We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Debra Tonge a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Debra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Debra , 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 am a fine artist depicting realism in oils, with the hope of inspiring feelings of curiosity and a sense of harmony through visual narratives and expressive brushstrokes. I am deeply passionate about the exploration of one’s own creativity and am always seeking out the charm in daily life.

I am British-born and educated but now reside in San Francisco, California. Owning duel passports is quite useful since I often travel back to my homeland for extended family visits. For years, I’ve packed up my favorite paints and beloved brushes so that I could create small studies whilst away from my more elaborate San Francisco studio.

I learned the basics of art through my BA in Illustration. However, I acquired skills in other genres of art, including classical realism, through dedicated self-taught exploration. The technique of realism I achieve today has taken many years of trial and error, self-motivated study, and finding the most suitable materials. Top-quality art materials are very important to me (so much so that I have an entire page on my website dedicated to art products I favor).

My creative journey has spanned a lifetime. I’ve always found a way to nurture my artistic side by organizing various ways to participate in creative endeavors, such as volunteer art projects abroad, artist residencies, live painting gigs, and home and global travel studio set-ups. Whilst solo globetrotting, I taught kids art in the Nepalese Himalayas, created a mural for an orphanage in Peru, and volunteered my craft skills in many locations. Arriving in a new country with luggage full of art equipment and not knowing anyone can mean fewer distractions, allowing for a deep dive into my practice, like my own little artist retreat.

Today, I predominantly paint in oils, and my portfolio consists primarily of private commissioned portraits. I truly value cultivating wonderful client relationships and am passionate about capturing my subjects’ authentic likeness. At this stage of my career, I am confident that I have the ability to transform clients’ visual ideas into elegant and timeless masterpieces—artworks that they will cherish for a lifetime.

My ongoing collection, Golden Threads, highlights the core underlying philosophies of my practice by portraying sensitive and honest depictions of empowered women in my community, illustrating their beauty through purpose and strength. Slithers of Gold runs throughout the compositions, symbolizing the idea of the right path and trusting intuition. The concept of connection fuels this series—I value forging meaningful relationships with those in my immediate community, celebrating cherished friendships, and uplifting valiant female spirits as part of this growing collection. More on the Golden Threads collection can be found on my website.

Many exciting things are happening in my art practice right now, including a new body of work. Upon completing this collection, I will seek new collectors and gallery representation. I believe that those who are drawn to the skills of traditional realism and are curious about narratives conveyed through symbology and the figure will appreciate this collection.

I was also immensely honored to be featured on the front page in The Guide Artists Magazine with a 16 page artist spotlight in September 2023, exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco twice, with my art chosen to be on the fine arts magazine cover and outdoor museum billboard. Another proud moment was when my painting Being Me won four of the five amplified Blue Ribbon awards as part of San Fransisco’s Open Studios, which had not happened in the event’s history. Despite lacking confidence at times, I’ve always found the motivation to continue painting, and am proud of these accomplishments along the way.

I invite readers to pop onto my social media to see the progression of new artworks and other updates. For a deeper understanding, I welcome you to read my artist statement on my website, as well as the publications, exhibitions, and other art-related adventures listed there.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One faces many challenges by pursuing an artistic career, which can feel daunting. However, there are also many rewards that come with choosing a path aligned with your creative self.

Observing audiences responding positively to my creations definitely feels gratifying. It’s quite a compelling experience to witness your artwork inspire genuine emotions; the responses I particularly appreciate are gasps of amazement and tears of joy. This is especially true in the case of a commissioned art reveal, as my clients have trusted my abilities and are overjoyed seeing their paintings for the first time. I feel pride and a tangible sense of accomplishment.

Art can beautify our world, generate joy, inspire and provide new perspectives, and touch someone’s soul. It’s truly a beautiful energy exchange when a client resonates with a piece and shares a story or personal reflection on the emotional impact it has on them. All of these notions motivate me to continue my exploration of art and pursue my authentic voice within this unique career.

Additionally, witnessing my own growth through the act of perseverance can be very fulfilling. As an
artist, I am continuously learning new techniques—I love reflecting on my older creations to see how far my skills have come and the different paths my imagination has taken. I know this will continue to be true for the span of my career, and I am excited to see my different creative urges unfold.

Lastly, I get to enthusiastically begin the day with what I love: to make art. I enjoy the flow of creativity, from invigorating moments to contemplative downtime. The act of slowing down whilst I paint fine details becomes meditative. Having this creative outlet is crucial for my well-being.

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

The first thing that comes to mind is to buy art from individuals. Avoid buying mass-produced pieces from corporations

For a new collector, it’s often best to start buying art locally. It’s also good practice to meet the artist, if possible, when seeking a custom painting. In my years as a professional commissioned artist, I’ve heard so many stories of people buying custom art online from a website that does not share who the artist will be…and when the painting arrives, it’s not what they were expecting. I advise everyone to do their research and find the right artist for their unique project.

It’s important to remember that art exists for every price bracket. See if an artist offers prints if an original artwork is out of your budget. It’s also relevant to say that purchasing artwork is not the only way to support artists; you can meaningfully contribute by sharing the art you love on social media, following artists on social media, and interacting with their pages. Some artists may have Patreon pages where you can pledge a few dollars a month. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can follow their journey, gain insight, and learn new arty things—it’s a wonderful exchange.

On a more specific and frank note, I would stay away from asking artists for heavy discounts. There are many careful considerations reflected in the price of an artwork, and these questions can invite quite a lot of anxiety for an artist trying to support themselves. Additionally, if you meet an artist at an art fair event, please know they are often paying top dollar for a booth, where they are trying to cover expenses and gain exposure. In these settings especially, time is valuable and precious; I want to politely urge patrons to respect artists’ time in these professional business settings.

Art can be found everywhere to view for free – enjoy and absorb

I believe that visual arts, performance and music are blessings to society, and little acts can go a long way. Artists appreciate your support, which can be as simple as giving them a lovely compliment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.debradeeart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debradeeart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debradeeartist
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@debradeeart https://www.patreon.com/debradee