Debbie Viola always wanted to learn how to paint, but never had the opportunity to do so. Her High School guidance counselor told her there was no room in her schedule to accommodate her interest in art. And after High School, she landed a job as a legal secretary and became so good at her work she ended up spending the next 20+ years doing so. In her last position as a legal secretary, she was working for the same attorney for 23 years, running his nine-attorney law firm. “I spent every weekday living for the weekend. I felt like a robot, barely alive from Monday thru Friday, often working late every night. My boss had a toxic personality, and was sucking the life out of me. But, it was all I knew how to do, and I was great at it. So I stuck it out to help provide for my family. I had no choice“.
But September 11th, 2001 changed everything for Debbie. “What a moment of clarity I had, working in New York City, and witnessing the Towers come crashing down from my Midtown office windows. My boss was screaming because he thought his friend was in one of the buildings at a meeting (he wasn’t). Yet, when I was walking to the elevators to begin a two-mile walk to be with my daughter at her College dorm, he followed me with work, telling me to do it at the dorm since I was leaving early! That sums up what I put up with all those years. I realized in that moment that life was both precious and fragile, and I could not work in that toxic environment any longer“.
A few years prior to 9/11, Debbie convinced her husband to let her create a faux finish on the new walls of a bathroom they were refinishing in their home. She had no experience in doing so, and no clue of what to do. But, somehow, she figured it out, and managed to create something beautiful. In fact, the contractors who were still working in her home (when she completed this project) told her she should quit her day job because her work was better than many of the professionals they worked with. That boosted her confidence as she took on other jobs for friends and family, which ultimately gave her the confidence to take the plunge out of the corporate world.
Since leaving her job as a legal secretary, Debbie has turned her hobby of decorative painting into a thriving, award-winning decorative arts studio. She has become well-known and respected for her plaster and decorative wall finishes, refinished cabinets and furniture, fine abstract art, murals, pet portraits, epoxy countertops and art pieces and a wide range of other multi-faceted creative services that she offers. She works individually with clients and through interior designers who often commission her to create custom art for their clients. Debbie’s intuitive paintings are a natural extension of her being a fine finish painter and surface designer for the past 20 years.
Additionally, Debbie is available to teach groups at private functions such as bridal showers, schools, religious organizations, retirement communities, fundraisers and corporate team-building events. “What really lights me up is teaching others how to paint. I love being able to share my skills so that others can find the same comfort and joy that painting has brought me all these years. I’ve taught thousands of locals, ages 4-101, how to paint and I’m thrilled that I am able to help creatives all over the globe by teaching virtually. Some of my students joke that I am cheaper than therapy and now there is science to back up the therapeutic effects painting has. Art has completely transformed my life, and nothing gives me greater satisfaction than knowing I’ve helped transform others“.
During COVID, when everyone was in lockdown, Debbie started going live on her Facebook page every night! She created a painting a night, drawing a growing audience, inspiring others to pick up a brush, and taking pride in creating a calming environment for people to come every night. Her growing fanbase was grateful to have a place to relieve their stress, and help them fall asleep during their grief, giving them someone and something to look forward to during those trying times.
Debbie’s paintings have that effect as well. Drawing their audience into peaceful landscapes, mesmerizing seascapes, or bright florals that never die. Her work may be viewed and purchased through her websites and social media.
https://www.debbieviolafineart.com
Or contact Debbie directly with any questions you may have or collaborations you’d like to inquire about.
The Painter as Writer
In 2023, Debbie was asked to be one of 62 co-authors of Creative Lifebook, Reflections On the Art Of Living A Fully Expressed Life, which has since become an international best-seller. This has allowed her to share her artistic journey on a global scale, as well as sharing tips for anyone interested in exploring their own creativity.
Debbie has since been approached by a New York publisher to write a book ”inspiring women all over the world” and is in the midst of doing so right now.
Goals
Debbie paints to give back. “I am an artist on a mission. I aim to sell $10k worth of paintings each month. This will allow me to donate $4k monthly to cherished charities such as Tunnel to Towers and Ronald McDonald House as well as local families facing unexpected hardships”.
Giving back to the community has always been ingrained in Debbie’s ”why”. From one of her first successful shows at Bloomingdales on Long Island, Debbie has always found a way to ‘give back’ to organizations that support her goals.
