Featured Artist of The Month - Debbie Rooney

Hello Everyone!! I am so delighted to introduce this month to Debbie Rooney. She's a visual artist I met though social media. Let's get to know more about Debra and what inspires her art.

-Please tell us about yourself.

Well, I am from a lovely little midwestern town in the State of Wisconsin. I have done a number of seasonal art shows through the years, have shown my work in two galleries in Wisconsin and have taught classes, years back, in my hometown. While Acrylics are my main medium of choice, I enjoy experimenting with charcoal, collage, woodburning, painting enamels on antique windows, and many other media. Daydreaming possibilities is going on 24/7 with me! Currently focused on portraiture, I love florals and I’m also developing a love for painting animals in natural settings. My goal is to create heartfelt, emotive, storytelling art...moments in time, things that matter, with a dash of magic, whimsy and humor. Always love! I started on-line classes in 2018. Currently, I am teaching Paint Your Heart and Soul 2020 and I am with the HeArtful Soul Artist Collective Monthly Auction Group on Facebook. Next year will be my second year teaching on-line and I feel honored to share the joy of creating in the Paint Your Heart and Soul 2021! 

-How did you start doing what you love? Tell us about your journey.

I started as a child, like many, and especially loved to take pictures from magazines and tell stories about them. I developed a love of collage as a small child, doing a construction paper collage of Jack and the Beanstalk! On to high school and a fantastic oil painting class that kind of ignited my love of art. But, as with many, responsibilities and raising good humans takes the number one spot for many years. I got back into art on a limited basis about 15 years ago and just started more seriously painting in 2018. 

-What is it that you want to share with us, what do you love to do?

I think mostly I want to share that I truly feel satisfied with doing this thing called painting, or creating, in any form it takes! You know, when you ask yourself what it is that you need to be doing for the rest of your life? I wasn’t always sure there was a definitive answer to that question. And, I’m sure that I can use this calling in many different helping ways, whatever I feel led to do. I love spending time with family and I also love to camp big-time and picnic at the beach at our nearby state park. Travel is a love, even just short getaways.

-Is there something that you are currently learning to amplify what you love to do?

I’ve always wanted to do some mosaic and clay work. I have studied it a bit and I did do a class years back in pottery, but that isn’t my goal here. I hope to have some surprises in store!

-What inspires your work?

Life inspires me. Reminiscing inspires me. Behavior inspires me. I get a real charge out of perusing magazines and books and looking constantly at art in different forms. A pattern on someone’s dress, a movie. It goes on. I feel constantly inspired. Pulling it all together takes more work, ha!

-How do you share what you love to do with the world?

I teach in PHYAS20 currently and will be teaching PHYAS21! I have had my art in a local store, but find my on-line work keeps me quite busy enough now. I also love to gift my art to family and for special occasions or fundraisers.

-Where can we find you?

You can find me:

*On Facebook under my name: Debra Rooney

*My Page, Sweet Lilac Studio - @debbiesweetlilac

*Instagram - @paintshopgirl

*My FB Group - Debbie Rooney’s Art Studio and Inspirational Haven 

-Do you do this full time or is it more of hobby?

Pretty much full time. I do not have any particular hours, it’s pretty much a lifestyle! And I think most artists will relate to that. I may not create art every day and that’s ok!!

-What do you wish to accomplish by sharing what you love to do?

Hope to inspire someone to want to fulfill their desire to paint and know that the act of doing so is such a healing and transformative thing! I am so happy when I hear the story of why someone connects to a piece I’ve painted--their stories. This means so much, to touch someone through my art.

JUST FOR FUN

-Please share a beauty routine an older generation passed down to you.

Omgoodness, Grandma D and my Mom both were big fans of “creams”. You gotta have your creams, ha-ha! Eye cream, face cream, dove soap! I do use moisturizers because of them, for sure!

-Where are you originally from?

Milwaukee, WI

-Your spirit animal would be?

If I had to guess, I would say the Mourning Dove or Yellow Finch. I have had some experiences there.

-What is the most important thing in your life?

My family, and friends, no doubt! They are my tribe.

Your personal motto is?

All you can do is love, be kind.

Here are some amazing artwork from Debbie Rooney

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Love + Light 

Jenn Sher  ⚛️🌀💟