The Giant Aspen by Debra Mechigian 44J

Deborah Mechigian

Being creative has always been my passion but painting and jewelry art is the ultimate expression of how I see the beauty of the world. I feel very fortunate to live in Flagstaff with its proximity to some of the most dramatic landscapes, flora and fauna on the planet. I see a painting in almost every vista, especially where light, shadow and color bring land and sky alive and every mineral a piece of wearable art. I have studied under Lilias Apland, a Tucson native who taught me the fundamentals of painting and composition and helped perfect my vision, but I am primarily a self taught artist. My inspiration comes from painters like Maxfield Parrish, Ed Mell and Jules-Bastien Lapage, plus all the people who love to paint for the fun of it. Silversmithing I learned from a group of elderly gentlemen who were gracious to teach me. “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way- thingsI had no words for.” Georgia O’Keeffee