Debra received her Bach. of Architecture at the Univ. of Texas, Austin. Her abilities won her the title of “Best of Show” with the Doyle Wilson Corp. before graduation.
Practicing architecture in Washington D.C. for 15 years led to her solo artist career for the next 23 years. Her commissioned work speaks of how she is innately wired. Her abstract style pulls its strength from travel, architecture, and her faith. Familiar forms and use of strong bold colors convey tension and emotional yearning. As a multimedia artist, Debra’s work and teaching style clearly represent a global influence. With each new project her journey begins with research and analysis of a subject which takes her design from concept to expression. She has been awarded several scholarships for fiber art workshops that include Alegre, Gateway Co. In addition, she is currently an Art Educator at Trivium Prep Academy, Goodyear AZ, an instructor for Creative Aging and teaches art for adaptive needs and private students weekly. Her murals leave a mark on many Phoenix establishments including the Maricopa County Burn Unit Hospital, Phoenix AZ. Publications include 4 page spread in Art Quilting Studio, and SAQA. Illustrations include When the Bird Sings by K. Caraway and children’s books, Bee Kind: Just Bee Cause, and Bees Save the World by Justin and Jamie Clarke.
Her work has been exhibited at the National Quilt Museum, Paducah KT, Quilters Fall of Fame, IN, as well as global exhibitions that include artwork such as Cacti at First Light debuting in Alsace, France for an international 3-year tour. Currently touring is Flamenco Dance having debuted at International Quilt Festival in Houston 2024 and will travel for three years globally. A travelling national exhibit Celebration of Strong Women since 1920 includes her art of her Great Aunts, Women Airforce Pilots, in WWII, just returning from the exhibition Personality Plus in New Mexico. Her audio story and her art now part of the National Archives. More work in travel for Our Story: Human Rights, depicting her life during integration and piece on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She has won awards and exhibited at Southern Utah Museum of Art, UT., Incarnate Word, San Antonio TX, Sacred Threads, Washington D.C., International Quilt Festival, Houston TX annually since 2016, and the Academy of Art, Lynchburg VA. Locally she exhibits at the Phoenix Airport Museum (currently), West Valley Art Museum, Peoria, AZ., Arizona Artist Alliance, Arizona Artist Guild Beatitudes 2 solo exhibits (2024, 2025), Wham Art Gallery (currently). and Visions Gallery, Chandler AZ annually, and the Sedona Art Center (currently), City of Goodyear library, Catitudes Art and Presidio in Goodyear AZ. She is a member of SAQA and fiber group Fiber Arts AZ and Four Common Corners where she exhibits as a group. Solo shows include The Vault, Culver City, CA, and Arts HQ, Surprise AZ. Debra currently resides in Goodyear AZ with her husband.
