Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra Riley.
Hi Debra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After a career working in the business world of real estate and banking, I discovered that I loved oil painting. A good friend invited me to join her in a local painting class and before we knew it we had signed up to go to a plein air painting workshop in Giverny, France. Having a friend join you in your adventure always gives you more courage than you would have on your own. So off we went to France to paint in Monet’s Garden when it was closed to the general public. What a wonderful week that was! We enjoyed it so much that we returned the next year and brought four additional friends with us.
Shortly after, I started painting I discovered the Conroe Art League (CAL) – a wonderful gem in historic downtown Conroe. CAL allows its members to hang their art in their beautiful gallery with a new show each month. I joined CAL and have been showing my art there ever since. CAL is also where I found my painting instructor, Gary Hernandez. Not only did I find my perfect teacher at CAL, a place to show and sell my art, but I also found many opportunities to volunteer and work on art related projects. Those activities lead me to serve on the board of Directors as Treasurer for two years and now as Vice President and Gallery Manager. While my role at CAL has taken away some of my time for painting, I still work at it every week. In 2022 I will be capturing on canvas the restoration of a chateau in southern France.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
One of the greatest obstacles, I think, for a new artist is finding the right instructor for them. Art is something that you have to study and practice and work at. Choosing the right instructor is the most important decision a beginning artist makes. Not all artists can teach and finding one that can teach you in the way that makes you your best is critical to your success. Once that obstacle was met, my art journey was fairly smooth sailing.
My work on the Executive Board of CAL and as the Gallery Manager has had many potential obstacles, but I choose to approach them as challenges. Some of those challenges came about from the pandemic and having to rethink and reinvent how we handled many of our functions. A number of processes had to be redesigned to “on line” processes, including some of our judged shows, exhibits, and member meetings. We went virtual or on-line in many areas and found that in doing so we increased our efficiency as well as our reach into the community. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but you can. We learned to harness the power of social media, automated registrations, and other “new tricks”.
One of my duties has been to handle grant opportunities. My most satisfying accomplishment for CAL was applying for and being awarded a National Endowment for the Arts competitive grant that went 100% to support our art teachers during 2020/21.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an oil painter that enjoys using vibrant colors. My style is classic realism.
I have been juried into several national art competitions including the CAL National and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. I was juried into The Woodlands High School Trust and selected by the student body to have my piece included in their permanent collection. I received Best Floral award from CAL for my still life painting and I received the People’s Choice Award from CAL on two occasions. I have received numerous awards from Conroe Art League, Woodlands Art League and Lone Start Art Guild judged competitions.
I am a member of Oil Painters of America, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, and the International Guild of Realism.
Art Colony Giverny Artist 2017 and 2018
Current Vice President and Gallery manager of the Conroe Art League
Board member of the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance
Contact Info:
- Email: Driley8782@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.debrarileyart.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraRileyOilPainting/
