Debra Kay

Artist Statement

The desert unfolded in living color. It was the end of July 2015 and we were returning from a road trip after having moved to Oro Valley in February. I had no idea that the desert north of Tucson along the Catalina Mountains could be so beautiful. It was Monsoon season, and the desert was alive with color as if it were Spring. How could I capture the desert with fiber and stitch.
The richness of the desert continues to inspire me as I create art with natural desert hues, dyeing, rusting, and stitching fabric, yarn, and thread. My chosen palette is earth tones, sometimes using ochres, caliche, sienna and umbers to change the color of fabric, threads and yarn.
I experienced success early on that provided encouragement in my art practice. I experimented with a variety of techniques, some of which I still use today. My first solo exhibition was is 2019 at Tohono Chul Park and Galleries, my next solo exhibition is at Shemer Art Center. Making art fills my soul with joy.