Debra is a self-taught artist who works in watercolors, often depicting images of the Sonoran Desert; succulent plants, cacti species, other various botanicals, and desert wildlife.
She grew up in Minnesota and moved to Arizona after graduating college from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. She became a registered architect and worked for several years after that in her chosen field of study. Having always appreciated art, design, and handcrafted goodness, that desire to continue her passion for creating led her to revisit her love of art.
In 2010 she began offering a line of home décor products and lino block prints. This earlier work was featured on HGTV, Coastal Living Magazine, New Times Jackelope Arts, and The Arizona Republic. However, she soon turned back to her love of painting, and now works fulltime as a watercolor artist out of her studio in Phoenix, Arizona.
Her watercolor illustrations were featured in the 2019 Arizona Visitors Guide, and her work has been commissioned for a range of projects including cover and back art for a CD release of a local band; original artwork for a candle company; and private collectors. You can also find her work being sold locally at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, and at Tortilla Flats.