Feb 11, 2011

Interview with the Artist - Deborah A. Williams

The nature around us depends on the nature within us…

Natural Capital: “Natural capital is the land, air, water, living organisms and all formations of the Earth's biosphere that provide us with ecosystem goods and services imperative for survival and well-being. Furthermore, it is the basis for all human economic activity.”

How long have you been an artist?
I began my art career seriously in 1997 but have been taking classes and workshops since high school. Making art is a lifelong pursuit.

What kind of art do you make?
I can’t decide - I keep changing and experimenting. I think my favorite is mixed media. I love using all the beautiful handmade papers with different fibers and textures along with pastels, acrylics and/or photographs. My favorite is painting “en plein air” - except for the wind, rain, bugs, cold, and heat. I love being outdoors and the natural landscape is so inspiring and challenging. Plus there is the added bonus of the camaraderie of the other plein air artists.

What is your "day job" if you have one?
I have worked in clinical and research labs for most of my life. Currently I am a grants administrator – working with medical researchers to find funding for their research projects. Working in the lab was more creative but working in research administration is rewarding and extremely challenging.


What other creative outlet would you explore if you couldn't make visual art?
Anything outdoors, I love gardening and landscaping. I also just finished building my house with the help of family and friends. That was crazy creative!

I am also working on a master’s degree in sustainability at Saint Louis University. It is self evident that we live within a finite system of natural limits and need to consider our footprint on our environment and enhance our ability to operate in positive and proactive ways as we increase our understanding of natural processes.

"Natural capital is the extension of the economic notion of capital (manufactured means of production) to goods and services relating to the natural environment. Natural capital is thus the stock of natural ecosystems that yields a flow of valuable ecosystem goods or services into the future. For example, a stock of trees or fish provides a flow of new trees or fish, a flow which can be indefinitely sustainable. Natural capital may also provide services like recycling wastes or water catchment and erosion control. Since the flow of services from ecosystems requires that they function as whole systems, the structure and diversity of the system are important components of natural capital."


Don't miss your chance to meet Debbie and see her beautiful work in person this Friday, February 11th from 6:00-9:00PM. We will have wine and appetizers from Mazara's.