Debbie's earliest childhood memories included crayons, paint and pencils. Throughout her life, artistic expression has played an essential role. Choosing to share her passion and educate others was a logical career path. Debbie completed her formal training at Southeast Missouri State Teacher's College gaining an Art Education Degree. She taught art at Maple Park Middle School her entire career. As motivation to encourage her students to give their best effort each class, she would reward them by drawing whatever they requested during the last ten minutes of each successful period. As an artist, Debbie works in acrylic and water color paints, as well as graphite, pen and ink, and colored pencil. She has the ability to be technically accurate to the details of her subjects. Debbie had the opportunity to study painting with Mark Weber in his midtown studio. His photo realistic style of painting greatly influenced her own artwork. The past two years, she has focused on a more impressionist style of painting. Her process still begins with illustration drafts in her drawing journal. She prefers to paint on a black canvas and lays out her painting in white chalk. This planning allows her to problem solve through to a completed painting or illustration.