JEA Art Gallery Reception featuring the artwork of Deborah Raines.

 

Art Show entitled "Fairy Tales and Illusions"

 

Originally from Huntington, WV, Ms. Raines received both her BA in Art Education and Masters in Sociology/Anthropology from Marshall University. She recently retired from 31 years of teaching art education, both in West Virginia and Georgia. She has worked on state and national committees for the support of the arts and co-founded a support system for Appalachian artists, but her proudest artistic accomplishment has been the four STAR Teacher awards she received while teaching art in Georgia.

Her art work has been exhibited in local, regional and national exhibitions.

Deborah’s art has evolved over the years until it comes as a surprise to her when she describes herself as a painter. In the past, she worked with pencil/Prismacolor and in clay. Even with these media, she would apply them in layers, cut the paper or clay and add other elements. A few years ago, she found herself more and more intrigued by complex, textural surfaces.

She began using magazine collage materials, added painted elements, cut the paper and layered more paper behind and on top. Then she began experimenting with textural elements on canvas, slicing the surface and weaving raw-edged fabric through it. She continued to add other things like raffia, cord, scrapbook paper and foil, and then began beading the surface. The beading took on a life of its own, growing from an added accent to an integral part of the painting.

What she wants the viewer to gain from her work is a sense of mystery and intrigue. She wants her work to become a personal experience for the viewer.