The biggest influence in my life was a path absent from art.  Although I was artistic at a young age, it was never nurtured.  In turn, I have had many careers far from the art world.  I was the second women permitted in the carpentry field in the US Air force, I would later design educational material and run the collegiate accreditation for a USAF School. I have been an emergency medical technician (EMT), and a computer program instructor, just to limit the list to a few.  I have seen and done many things, but the one thing that held true the whole time, was the belief, that I was my favorite project.

There is no better way to put it than, I eventually found myself.  I allowed myself to be who I was meant to be.  In 2008 I became a full-time artist.  I work in every material.  My approach is first to examine what I want to say and then decide what material would best express the content.  I never limit myself by the fact I never used a material before. It is easier to say I work in all materials than to name the few processes I have not done yet.  Besides I am young and there is still time.

When I decided to become a full time artist, I decided to support myself by creating collaborative public art.  At this point I am creating one – two large projects a year.  In addition, I usually have anywhere from one-three bodies of work I continually work on.  My first bodies of work were environmental installations, then toy sculptures, and then a body of work about empowerment that led to quilting and felting. Here at DeborahLandry.com I have centralized all that I do.  You can explore my different websites, galleries, shops and workshops.

Art guides me in every aspect of my life. I first explore the message I want to convey and let the direction and material come naturally.  This method of art making allows me to work in all materials. I never let the fact I have not worked in material limit my direction. I simply look at it as a challenge to overcome.

My Artwork is inspired by nature.  Nature not only shows up as the imagery but also plays a big part in the making process.   My gardens supply me with many of the materials I need to create paper, printmaking, and ink.

My art practices and art making are truly multimedia.  One artwork can have several processes.  On any given week I can boil nuts to make ink, press some flowers and leaves, incorporate them in papermaking and then later paint a flower on the same paper before calling it finished art.  Art is not just in the finished piece but in the process of making.

 About Dear God

Life’s chaos often drowns our inner voice. I created “Dear God” during a time of immense challenge. It began as my refuge from the storms, a way to channel my thoughts and prayers into art. In the heart of turmoil, I discovered the transformative power of flooding my mind with positive thoughts, using affirmations like “I love myself.” Today, I offer you these plaques not just as art, but as tools for personal growth and healing.