Debra Meier

Artist Statement

As a watercolor artist, my work is an exploration of color, texture, and the dynamic relationship between the fluidity of paint and the control of the brush. I seek to push the boundaries of traditional watercolor by incorporating alternative colors and marks made with not only brushes, but also palette knives and a variety of other tools. This exploration of non-traditional techniques allows me to introduce elements of surprise and spontaneity into my pieces, as I embrace the unpredictable nature of the medium.
Over the past two years, I have focused on experimenting laying down abstracted color and marks prior to working with the subject matter. Sometimes this is achieved by creating marks and patterns with textured silicone mats (such as what finds in one’s kitchen). I have also spent the past two years playing with the granulating properties of watercolor, particularly the fascinating phenomenon of granulation runs. I have learned to harness this unique feature, creating textures and layers that evoke a sense of depth and movement. The granulation effect adds a richness and complexity to my work.
Knowledge and practice help further myunderstanding of watercolor; a combination of online and in-person workshops, reading, and communication with other artists both locally and around the world have kept me inspired and excited to paint. The best thing that social media has given me is correspondence that has deepend my connection to watercolor as a medium.
I visit two venues of subject matter frequently. I enjoy the challenge of painting a portrait that speaks something about that person, I also am known for painting birds, particularly corvids and parrots, as I enjoy immersing my muse in the intensity of their eyes and the energy of their feathered bodies. As with the human portraits, I try to convey something about that avian, rather than just an image.
Each painting is a conversation between me and the medium—sometimes planned, often spontaneous, but always rooted in a sense of discovery. It’s a world where color and texture are not just seen, but felt, where the delicate balance of control and surrender reveals the true beauty of watercolor as a living, breathing art form. My favorite paintings truly have two artists behind them; me, as the human wielding the paintbrush, and the watercolor paint itself, moving and morphing as only this medium can.