Deborah Brestel
“Every child is an artist. The problem is
how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
—Pablo Picasso
Deborah Brestel has exhibited for years in galleries, group exhibitions, juried
art shows, and several one-woman shows. Locations include St. Maarten’s; Englewood
and Sarasota, FL; Rutherfordton and Cliffside, NC. Primarily a self-taught artist,
Deborah Brestel was first introduced to painting at the Art Institute of Boston.
She continued to develop her unique, stylistic realism with classes at the Ringling
School of Art & Design, and with private instructors, most notably Marisse
London of Sarasota.
A Maine native, Ms. Brestel has lived in some of the most dramatic and striking
settings in the world, including the Windward Islands in the sparkling Caribbean.
There, her innate passion for color was further enhanced by her lovely, vivid
surroundings. The gorgeous volcanic island of St. Maarten inspired her daily to
capture its capricious moods. In the foothills of North Carolina, the artist captured
the beauty and majesty of the Blue Ridge and smoky Mountains on canvas. South
Florida is currently inspiring her to capture its beauty in her own stylized,
expressionistic manner.
Each leg of her life’s journey has impacted her brightly colored canvases in
a different way. With each change of scenery and climate, the palette colors and
subjects shift. Each move means a different way of life and a different approach
to art. The environment, local colors, climate, and mood profoundly affect the
palette and the finished work.
“I love the spontaneity and freedom of acrylic paints and frequently switch between
the brush and a palette knife. Currently I am exploring the use of negative space
and texture to further enhance the viewing of the work. I like to create dreamlike
spaces and places in which to retreat from a stressful world."
—Deborah Brestel
