Artist Profile--Debi Koenig

Our featured artist this month is Debi Koenig. Debi's work reflects her cheerful personality--always fun, colorful and happy.

1. What are the main mediums you use? What do you find satisfying about them?

Paper, and all sorts of paints, inks, crayons, and markers. I love trying new ways of "making marks on paper", and putting layer upon layer upon layer. I like that I can get my hands dirty, and there are no rules. I don't have to color within the lines or have everything match perfectly. My favorite kindergarten activities!

2. If someone were going to get started in those mediums, what suggestions would you give?

Get your hands covered with paint, and smear it on paper, or fabric, or whatever you want. Play with kids and paint, and see what happens. I love taking classes with teachers like Traci Bautista and Roxanne Padgett.

3. A perfect art day would look like_________

A perfect art day is anytime I can "PLAY" with my art friends . . . I love it whenever we can get together and work on our own projects, and visit, and laugh, and play. I am very fortunate to get to have these "perfect art days" frequently.

Earlier this year I got to play at a friend's pottery studio. We had a lot of fun, and I made some little clay houses. Also this year, I have been fortunate to play with friends at the beach, and our annual spring trek to the Menucha retreat. Good times, and lots of fun. Thanks to all my art friends!

4. Do you have dedicated studio space? Give a brief description of where you work.

Yes, I have a double car garage that is my art studio. Since I am "organizationally challenged", much of that space is usually devoted to storage. I often end up working in the house on the dining room table. Whatever space I work in usually gets smaller and smaller as time goes on, so (like many of us) I end up working in a 2 foot x 2 foot space! LOL.

5. Favorite place you've visited or lived?

I don't think I have been there yet! Right now, my current favorite place is a drive down NW Cornell Road, from NW Skyline Blvd. to NW Lovejoy, through Forest Park. You drive past the Audobon Society and Macleay Park. We have had such a wet spring that all the trees are covered with moss and ferns. There are two tunnels and lots of bridges over deep ravines. This was the way we always drove into Portland when I was a kid. It brings back good memories, and I love the lush green surrounding . . . feels like our own rain forest!

6. What inspires you (or are there recurring themes in your work)?

I love COLOR, and I love the multitude of combinations of colors !!! I enjoy seeing the surprises when I put different colors on paper next to each other. A few years ago I bought an assortment of various colored wash clothes and hand towels. I continue to be intrigued when I put them together, and find new color combinations. I know this sounds like such a simple thing . . . but color combinations sometimes just take my breath away!

7. I still struggle with________

Easy one . . . organization! What to do with all this "stuff" !! LOL

8. I'd be lost without________

My family, my friends, and my kitty Cooper!

9. Favorite dessert?

Berry cobbler. Although, it's hard to beat a freshly picked ripe tomato--just as good as a dessert.

10. What's on the horizon?

I have been applying my painting techniques to fabric, we'll see how that goes.

Zentangles are fun, and have inspired me to do some doodling . . . of course I have to add some color.

I've been sewing lately, started on a wall quilt and table runner. I am always wandering from one thing to another, and enjoying every step of the journey!