While The Artist Is Away, acrylic on panel, 20 x 16 inches, Debby Gregory
It’s always amazing to watch how one’s talent can transform into an area of expertise with passion and determination. One great example is Debby Gregory, a fine artist from St. Mary’s, Ohio. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, she found herself in awe of the old Master’s paintings in the Catholic school that she attended as a child. The contrasts of light and dark mesmerized her and the style stayed with her throughout her adult life.
Pencil drawings became a part of her world and landing a job as a graphic artist was just what she needed to keep her passion alive. For 29 years, Debby met the challenges of calligraphy, photography, painting, typography, computer graphics and bindery. They contributed to her love of art and soon she found herself focusing on color in paints.
She met her husband, Dave, in a bait and tackle store in St. Mary’s and her taste for wildlife, mainly fishing, blossomed, as well. Together they traveled the Eastern coast on ventures of fishing, the outdoors, and a love for everything natural. 5 step-children rounded out a large active family which continues today with grandchildren, fishing, playing pool and just staying close.
Gregory has never traded in her love of fishing, but is learning more about painting in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, pen and wash. She creates unique works for clients and galleries across the Midwest and plans to expand her sights. She has an uncanny way of capturing the beauty and emotion of nature by using shadows and highlights of the surroundings. She has been featured on Fine Art Studio Online and has done numerous private commissions.
The distinction of Debby’s work stems from colors, shadowing, and lighting. Mixed with the subtle subjects of nature, she is able to capture the reality of life within the backdrop of nature. Whether the painting is done in acrylics, oils, or pastels, she is able to deliver the exact media that expresses each scene with intrigue.
The acrylic works of Waitin On Gramps show the calm and peaceful setting of a rural property with little ado of a family waiting on Grandpa to come home from a tough day in the fields. The understanding and the solace gave this picture mix emotions of worry, safety, and protection into one loving painting. Gregory is excellent in portraying this feeling of love and joy within her paintings.
Although only an associate member of the Ohio Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society, she has spent the last 13 years gaining the respect of the art community and is a valuable member of these organizations.
The passing of her husband and favorite art critique just one short year ago, Gregory continues to pursue her painting skills as a way of seeing the positive in life. The beauty, the peacefulness, and the emotion that speaks wonders will always be her base for presenting the best work that she can for herself and others.
You can find her most days at her lakefront home on Grand Lake St. Mary’s fishing with one of the great-grandkids or contemplating her next painting.
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