Debra, a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, was born in Freeport, Long Island, New York in the early 50s and was recently nominated for membership into the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC.
After residing in many parts of the world Debra became an accomplished John Robert Powers model as well as high fashion instructor for many young women. She also taught personal development at the various campuses of Tampa College Medical Education Center.
A Virginian at heart, in the mid-70s Debra relocated to Florida and is a very proud mother of two beautiful adult daughters and has one granddaughter and grandson. "My family is the most important thing in my life and I feel so blessed to have such an amazingly patient and loving husband, two glorious daughters and the best grandchildren in the world. What more could I ask for?"
Debra began drawing at age 10 and feels her artistic abilities are a true gift. She is completely self-taught and proficient in oils, acrylics, watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, and pastels. Not only is she an accomplished artist, but she is also an extraordinary photographer.
Constantly studying, she hopes to eventually teach the beautiful art of belly dance, designing and creating her costumes by hand. “The dance is so feminizing and graceful. I find that I lose myself in the music and sensuous movements. It’s not bad exercise either and it certainly keeps you young.”
Debra holds a doctorate degree in Naturology from the American Institute of Holistic Theology, is an ordained minister, a Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master, and naturalist. She is also a NASDS certified SCUBA diver and a member of the WOTM (Women of the Moose).
Over and above her family, she enjoys boating, camping, genealogy, needlework, organic gardening, and spends many hours wandering the forest foraging for natural pieces to employ in her basket weaving and many projects. Her hand-painted stemware and Enchantra body adornments are retailed in a number of shops within Florida.
Debra has been very active with her artwork during the last few decades. Her work has been included within the Information Pages of both the ALLTEL and GTE directories east of the Mississippi River and south of Virginia. She produced the art for a book entitled For Those Who Gave So Much, authored by Dwayne Booth and published by Taylor Publications. The book deals with the official protocol regarding funeral services for fire and police personnel.
Her work has been presented to the Arts for the Parks and the Pastel Society of the Southwest art shows and published in two children’s picture books entitled Fluffy’s Story—Part 1—Fluffy’s Journey, Paw Print Publishing, 2005; Last One Left - Saving Endangered Animals, Cedar Hill Publishing, 2006.
Debra has donated several pieces in order to benefit various organizations including a painting for silent auction to the Pinellas Suncoast Chamber of Commerce and the Dixie County Dreamer’s Foundation. She also created a piece entitled Tranquility, presented on the Wildlife page of this site, and donated it to the Suwannee Valley Moose Lodge, Chapter 494, located in Fanning Springs, Florida.
Internationally known and sought after, Debra’s artwork is, at the present, in at least 11 US states, Canada, Germany, and Japan.
Debra and her husband, Dan, reside with many cats and dogs in the middle of a forest in rural north central Florida. “We absolutely love it here. This area is truly stunning - a constant inspiration with so much beauty. The serenity, wildlife, and kind people surrounding us are so wonderful - a true joy after 20 plus years in the city.”
