I create art to counter the negativity and chaos we are all constantly bombarded with. There is a narrative dimension to my art. I focus on gentle, fleeting moments that are easy to miss in our hurried day to day life, moments when we connect with our true inner self, when our spirit soars. I choose subject matter that epitomizes and captures human emotion, the priceless beauty of our planet and our inter-connectedness. And I paint about our relationship with planet earth – our nest, and our connections with the other creatures we share this planet with.
Over the years I have explored a wide variety of mediums and styles. I have always preferred highly realistic images, but I like to interpret them in my own visual language in order to convey deeper emotions beyond surface appearances, and to interject a joyful sense of playfulness. The images are realistic and sometimes symbolic or whimsical.
Debra Soule
For me, creating a painting is a process that starts with an idea, a vague image in my mind or sometimes from a dream. I describe my work as ‘imaginary realism’ - I am more interested in playing with subject matter, inventing the composition to make a statement, than simply recreating exactly what I see in front of me. I work predominantly in oil and acrylic, allowing the images to take shape on the canvas, often changing as I go. My landscapes are playful explorations of the incredible patterns in nature. My portraits are the expression of human emotions. And many of my paintings combine landscape, portrait and wildlife elements to say something about our relationships with the other creatures who share the planet with us.
Debra Soule