Debra Corbett Artist Interview

Advent II

mixed media on canvas 24"x 24"

Lynette Haggard (LH): Can you share a bit about yourself, and early influences on your work?

Debra: I have lived in Melrose, MA For the past 30 years but did grow up in Northern New Jersey.  There were certain advantages to being so close to New York City and my parents exposed us to the culture that the city had to offer. I have memories of going in to visit some of the major museums like the Met, Whitney, Guggenheim, Frick, and the Cloisters.  Seeing a movie at Radio City Music Hall , or a play on Broadway was quite the experience and seeing the crowds and pure pulse of the city was thrilling and exhilarating. I believe the art that is produced is always a result of your life experiences so I guess some of this  background is there in my paintings. I attended Nazareth College in NY State but transferred to Seton Hall to finish my art training. I learned classical painting techniques and became more of an expressionistic plein-air landscape painter. I have a background in jewelry design and was a faux painter many years while my children were growing up. All this has come to the table in terms of imagery and surface.

  Tea House 

 mixed media 24x24

Silk Road

mixed media on canvas 30"x 24"

LH: At what point in your life did you become interested in making art?

Debra: I loved art always and was a very creative child.  When I started to have some sales and gallery representation it occurred to me that this would become my lively hood.

LH: Was there a certain point when you decided you were primarily an artist?

Debra: About 4 years ago I became less interested in representational work. My landscapes, although very textural, were portraying images that seemed common and uninspiring. I decided one day to just play with color and try a more abstract approach. Having visited several countries in Europe I was influenced by the aged surfaces on walls and walkways and became interested in using the feelings I got from them in my work. I try to bring a more universal and emotional feel to the surface. I enjoy creating a sense of mystery that the viewer can respond to. The more you look at the work the more you see and I enjoy the fact that a viewer brings his or her interpretation to the painting. I use a variety of mixed media that includes plaster, acrylic paint, powdered metallic pigments, and glazes. I usually start on a black canvas that I have painted. From there I add the plaster with a variety of tools using anything from trowels to palette knives to cardboard strips. While it is still setting up I create my surface by carving, removing, manipulating, and cutting into the plaster. When this is dry in a day or two I then start to create the painting.I do like to sand down the surface but leave a good tooth for the paint. This stage is unpredictable and delightful. I often don’t know where I’m going with the results and it all becomes spontaneous and exciting. I stop when I feel there is enough interest and good color harmony. I usually put a final finish glaze on at the end.

 Debra's Home Studio

LH: Can you tell us what your workspace is like and how you work in your studio?

Debra: I am lucky to have a well set-up home studio. It is a place of retreat and solitude. I usually try to paint everyday or at least paint in my “head”. I think we artists are either making art or thinking about making it all the time. I know for me there is often an inner conversation and imaginary notebook in my head  in which I am always processing info.  I love those days when I can bring in a nice cup of coffee, throw in a load of wash, and just get to work. I DO consider my time in the studio as real work.  Making art can be quite mentally exhausting, often frustrating, but many times pure joy.  Getting “in the groove” means not answering the phone, not looking at email or facedbook, but absolutely listening to music. I love WUBM. This is 24 hours commercial free folk music. It’s just the right sound for my background. There are days when I stare at the surface and am clueless but more often than not I can’t keep up with the ideas I have in my head.

LH: What is your website?
Debra: My website is www.debracorbett.com. This was designed by my son and I am very proud of it. 

LH: Do you have particular habits that you think support your art practice?Debra: Even though each artist creates their own look or visual penmanship we are always influenced by what we see, read, or talk about. I love going to museums and galleries to see what people are doing and also enjoy looking at art books. Our library here in Melrose has an exceptional art section that continues to grow all the time.  I also feel  that I am lucky to have many artist friends who can “talk the art talk”. It’s great to do this since the creative time in the studio is so solitary. Comparing notes, art supply tips, or talking about an artist you may have discovered is all worthwhile.


LH: What are you reading?
Finishing up “Middlesex”…terrific book. I also love works by Alice McDermott and Jhumpa Lahiri. There is a book called, “Inside the Painter’s Studio” by Joe Fig that is very good.

LH: Do you have other jobs other than making art?
Debra: I have grown children now and a very supportive husband who has allowed me to pursue this career of being an artist. This is the time of my life where I seem to be the most productive. It helps not to have too many interruptions in terms of child rearing anymore. Being able to spend hours at a time , getting into the “zone”, and not have to watch the clock to pick up someone from soccer practice has been a real treat. I’d love to think that my work will continue to evolve and grow . There may even be changes ahead and the fact that this is unpredictable is very exciting to me. I have an urge to really do some large paintings…we’ll see if I jump into that fire.