We recently had the chance to connect with Debbie Lewis and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Debbie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I had a real laugh and somewhat of an aha moment when I realized that I was following a similar path to Grandma Moses. Her art career took off in her mid to late 70s — and so is mine!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I believe beauty changes the way you feel, and that familiar places and faces bring comfort you can’t get anywhere else. My watercolor paintings are my way of helping women surround themselves with daily reminders of joy, belonging, and love.
I first picked up a watercolor brush in my late 40s while recovering from illness, never imagining it would become my life’s work. Years of quiet practice turned into a late-blooming career in my 70s, much like Grandma Moses. Now, I create for collectors across the U.S., many of whom tell me my art feels like “coming home” and simply makes them smile.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Lying is definitely a source of broken bonds between people. Fortunately those broken bonds can be restored by telling the truth.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
In the mid 90’s, my body collapsed. I was drained of energy and could barely get up each day. Somehow, out of this devastating physical situation, the urge to create came to the surface. While I had never been an artist this lifetime, suddenly I couldn’t let a day go by without at least picking up a pencil and practicing how to draw. Soon it turned into a paintbrush and I got hooked on watercolor painting. The day that someone saw my paintings and asked, “How much for those 3?” was transformative for me. The deep urge to create in order to survive suddenly became a new direction in life and a desire to help others smile and feel better themselves.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
It’s really not true that you have to spend years in art school and get gallery representation to be a successful artist. In fact, being a late-in-life, self-made artist myself, I know with absolute certainty that I have created my own success by: 1) Practicing the skills I needed to create an emotional impact with my art, and 2) Reaching out on many different avenues to find people who light up when they see my paintings.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people know that I became an artist late in life and that making others smile with my art is truly rewarding. And those that know me the best know that I never gave up in getting my art to as many people as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.debbielewiswatercolors.com
- Instagram: @debbielewiswatercolors
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/debbielewiswatercolor
Image Credits
Debbie Lewis
