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about the artist
Fur or feathers, hooves or paws, from my own four-legged companions to wild creatures I encounter, the animal world in all its wonder and variety fascinates me and fuels my creative passion. I have been making art since I could first hold a pencil and have worked hard to develop my skills, building a reputation for my lifelike coloured pencil drawings and lively paintings on silk. I have lived my life in southwestern British Columbia, growing up on a small farm in the rural Fraser Valley and gradually migrating further west to my current home on Mayne Island. Because my art reflects my experiences, early-on the emphasis was on horses interspersed with a variety of the other creatures. Over the years my focus shifted to bird life — not just as a reflection of my surroundings but also out of a wish to honour these small wild creatures who enrich our environment and are often overlooked. Their dwindling numbers are of grave concern. Never without a four-legged companion, I currently share my life with a ball-crazy cocker spaniel named Lily, a ginger cat named Hugo, and our newest addition: a Savannah kitten named Casper. They find their way into my art, as did all the others who came before them including my horse Duke who was with me for nearly 30 years. I accepted my first pet portrait commission as a teenager and continue welcome opportunities to create sensitively rendered, lifelike portraits of the animal companions who enrich our lives. I have a Fine Arts diploma from the University of the Fraser Valley and hold senior signature status with the Federation of Canadian Artists (SFCA). As you can see by my exhibition record below, over the years I have shown my work extensively — participating in juried exhibitions, arts festivals, solo shows and more. At one time my art was represented by galleries across Canada and as far away as Trinidad. Today it can be viewed online, at my home studio, and at a handful of retailers. I have a solid commitment to community involvement. Over the course of my art career, my roles have ranged from organizing art tours to serving on the board of directors of arts organizations. I currently volunteer on the board of directors for the Southern Gulf Islands Arts Council. I also greatly enjoy serving as an exhibition juror when called upon. Yellow Bird Art Studio, situated on my rural Mayne Island property, is my pride and joy. It's a cozy, action-packed space that suits me just fine and I warmly welcome visitors (by appointment please, or as advertised). |
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exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
Juried Exhibitions 2020-23
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Arts Festivals
- Mayne Island Studio Tour, Mayne Island, BC, 2018-2022
- Filberg Festival, Comox, BC, 2011-13, 2015-18
- Art in the Untamed Garden, Abbotsford, BC, 2014
- Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver, BC, 2014
- Art & Blooms, Comox, BC, 2012
- Arts at Darts, South Surrey, BC, 2011, 2013-14
- Langley Art Studio Tour (co-founder), Langley, BC, 2009-14
- Arts Alive, Langley, BC, 1993, 1994, 2006-14
- Art in the Park, Maple Ridge, BC, 2007-10
- Arnold Mikelson Festival of the Arts, White Rock, BC, 1987-96, 2006-10
- Surrey Arts Council Art Walk - Cloverdale, BC, 2007
Group & Private Exhibitions
- Arts on Mayne group shows, Mayne Island, BC, 2016-present
- Festival Active Pass Regional Exhibition, Mayne Island, BC, 2015 & 2017
- Drawing on Life, Pop-Up Town Community Art Space, White Rock, BC, 2017
- Fort Langley Artist's Group, Fort Langley, BC, 2008-2011
- "Across the River", New Creations Gallery, Maple Ridge, BC, 2010
recent awards
2018
2018
- Senior Signature Status (SFCA), Federation of Canadian Artists,
- Honourable Mention - Works on Paper, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
- Third Place - Postcard Competition, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
- Award of Excellence - Just Water, Newton Arts Centre, Surrey, BC
- Award of Excellence - Fraser Valley Artists (FCA Chapter), Semiahmoo Arts, Surrey, BC
- First Place - Fraser Valley Artists (FCA Chapter), Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC
- First Place - Fraser Valley Artists (FCA Chapter), The ACT, Maple Ridge, BC
- Envision Financial Master Artist's Award - Oil & Water, South Delta Artist's Guild, Tsawwassen, BC
- Honourable Mention - Arts 2014, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC
- Award of Excellence - Fraser Valley Artists (FCA Chapter), The Reach Gallery Museum, Abbotsford, BC
- Associate Signature Status (AFCA), Federation of Canadian Artists
- Second Place - Autumn Salon, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
- First Place - Coloured Pencil Society of Canada National Exhibition, Shenkman Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON
- Third Place - Arts 2012, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC
- Best of Show - Just Birds, Newton Cultural Centre, Surrey, BC
- First Place - Arts 2011, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC
- Juror's Choice - Hooves, Plows & Planting Fields, Langley Centennial Museum, Langley, BC
- Award of Excellence - artSpacific, Firehall Arts Centre, Delta, BC
- Honourable Mention - Arts 2010, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC
- Honourable Mention - artSpacific (2010), Firehall Arts Centre, Delta, BC
- Honourable Mention - Arts 2009, Surrey Art Gallery, BC
art education
- University of the Fraser Valley, Fine Arts diploma - 1981
- Douglas College, Computer Graphics certificate - 1989
- The Creative Studio, Maiwa Textile Symposium - 2017
- Mixed Media with Dawn Emerson - 2014
- Colour Theory with Michele Whipplinger - 2012
- Master Artists Seminar with Robert Bateman - 2010
- Advanced silk painting, Maiwa Textile Symposium - 2008
publications
- Aqua magazine - "Honouring Her Passions", November/December 2020
- CP Treasures, Volume 6 - Published by Ann Kullberg, April 2019
- Beef in BC magazine - "Art Story: Deborah Strong", November/December 2015
- CP Treasures, Volume 2 - Published by Ann Kullberg, December 2013
- Artists of British Columbia, Volume 3 - Published by Leighdon Studio Gallery, December 2011
- BC Veterinarian magazine - Cover photo & editorial feature, Summer 2010
- Equestrian magazine (US Equestrian Federation) - "Commissioning an Original Piece of Art of Your Horse", May 2009
- The Langley Times - "Local artists take top spots in National Competition", July 2012; "Going Inside the Artist's Den", August 31, 2007
- The Langley Advance - "Feline Offers Painter Endless Inspiration", February 2008; "Strong At Art", September 7, 2007
- The Peace Arch News - "Critters on Canvas", September 2007
- Sidelines magazine - "Salute to Equestrian Artists", October 2005, 2009