Interview with Deborah Gillman

Why do you do what you do?

I use acrylics, watercolors, printmaking, pen & ink to express myself through my art. I sometimes accompany my artwork with the written word or my poems. I also enjoy creating my own needlepoints, which I call ARTPOINT.

What’s is your background?

I have always been painting. My art was influenced by two years on kibbutz in Israel where I developed my love of nature. I studied art at UC Santa Cruz, UCLA and Otis Art Institute. I earned my B.A. in French Literature with a minor in Art in 1977. I have written and illustrated three children’s books, and 4 books about the current pandemic. You can see them and a many of my paintings at www.DeboaGillman.com and www.DebiDoodlesART.com. I have taught my Debi Doodles Arts & Crafts workshop for 12 years at Park La Brea Apartments and other venues including the Craft Contemporary Museum and the Los Angeles Public Library.

What art do you most identify with?

Nature, abstract, design, printmaking. I am a great admirer of Georgia O’Keefe, Kandinsky and the Impressionists.

What work do you most enjoying doing?

Painting with acrylics or watercolors; adding pen & ink and the written word.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

Living on kibbutz in Israel for two years. It broadened my horizons at an early age and taught me many things that you can only learn my traveling, in addition to another language, Hebrew. I learned that there can be more than one correct way to do something.

Can you describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

My relationship with my art mentors and teachers.

Why art?

I have always found it my preferred method of expression.

What is your artistic outlook on life?

To have hope; to inspire and be inspired.

What makes you angry?

Cruelty, violence, lack of respect, prejudice.

What is your dream project?

I always wanted to have a place where I could read my books to children and display their art with my own.

What is your favorite or the most inspirational place in the world?

Places that I see when I traveled: Paris, France.

What is your goal?

To continue to communicate with my art and see what other artists are doing.