Profile Description
Deborah Pugh is a Kent based abstract artist. She likes to break the rules and push the boundaries. She has recently exhibited with the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, and the Society of Women Artists at the mall galleries, as well as taking part in solo and group local shows.
Her paintings are inspired by walking, cycling and travel particularly by the coast of Kent; the isle of Sheppey where she lives; and the Algave coast where she recently went on a painting residency. Although her work is non-objective, colours and motifs are gleaned from studies in the landscape. She starts by working intuitively however the studies are always present and ultimately inform the work. She builds up the surface with variation in lines using brushes and other tools, and adds shape and colour to draw you in and hold your attention. Deborah also encourages you to bring your own narrative to the painting believing that a painting should not just be about what the artist sees and feels but also about the viewer’s response.
Deborah works in a variety of media including watercolour, printmaking, mixed media, collage and more recently oils.
To view artworks please go to my website, join my mailing list or contact me for an appointment.
Address
122 Scrapsgate, Minster On Sea,, Sheerness, Kent, United Kingdom, ME12 2DJ
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Interview
I am a painter who works mainly abstractly. I incorporate elements from my sketches from the landscape or a subject that interests me.
I grew up in Bexley in the suburbs and visited London on a regular basis as my grandmother lived in Walworth. My mother had been evacuated to her Aunt on the Isle of Anglesey as a young girl, and so every year we would take our holidays there so that she could visit. These two opposing environments have influenced my art: the state of the art architecture of London and the influence of a multicultural society, and the love of all things natural and in particular the coast from spending time just roaming the countryside and coastline of Wales.
When growing up I wanted to be either a teacher or nurse but decided to go into teaching. I taught primary school children until the arrival of my own children. I have also taught private art lessons to both adults and children.
As a family we always had art around and were always making, painting and drawing with my mother who was very artistic.
Although music was my first love, playing bassoon in concert bands and orchestras, I have always been interested in arts and crafts. While home educating my children I became more interested in art and after a life changing family event I found that art gave me the solace that I needed. I became totally hooked and have been painting ever since focussed on my dream to show with the Royal institute of Painters in Watercolours which I achieved for the first time in 2021.
I began painting in 2003 taking lessons locally and then further in the UK and then online. I have self curated my art education doing courses with many critically acclaimed artists such as Ann Blockley, David Tress, Nicolas Wilton, Emily Ball, Debbie Loane, Karen Stamper and Louise Fletcher and teachers from the St Ives School of painting.
I always have a need to do something creative but get most inspired when I have been outside creating sketches.
I love creating abstracts as they give me a way to express my emotions and ideas without words. I love that they are new landscapes to explore, a form of escapism.
My golden moment was creating the first abstract that I sold at the Mall Galleries.
The most exciting part of my work at the moment has been responding to a residency in the Algave where I started to paint the energy of the waves. This feeling and emotion has continued in my work and now looking for new ways to express this within my abstracts.
My dream project is to paint a watercolour the size of a wall in a small room.
I have been inspired by many artists. My hero of the moment is Maggie Hambling with her wave series.
As an avid book lover I think that you should read everything and anything related to art but I think the most inspiring recent read has been "Clear Seeing Place" by Brian Rutenberg or "David Mankin: Remembering in Paint" by Kate Reeve-Edwards. Both give clear insights into the mind and working of abstract artists.
Being outside or in my studio with lots of art materials.
Don't wait for tomorrow. Live the life that you want now. No one know what tomorrow will bring.
