Deborah Pittman

Deborah Pittman: The Ultimate Artist

BY JOAN S. PECK
ARTWORK BY DEBORAH PITTMAN

The first time I met Deb Pittman, I thought of a sprite because there is a mystical quality about her that shows up and becomes evident in her creations. She is a shy and thoughtful person whom I found intriguing because there seems to be no end for what she’s able to create. She loves trying new ways to present her art, and her creations are always evolving and expanding. In addition, when she has completed a painting, oftentimes, she’ll go back over it time and again to give it a different look. “My creations are never done.”

Deborah’s work is varied, giving testimony to her ability as a fine artist. I was drawn to some of her art creations representing a time gone by with her vintage fishing floats painted with Japanese geishas, as well as portraitures of geishas on traditional canvas.

Deborah, tell me about these wonderful creations.

DP. “I lived for seven years in Northern Japan and painted Japanese landscapes and people on the fishing floats (pictured below). Each year in Japan, I had two successful sold-out shows with hundreds of art pieces sold. Over six years, I’ve sold thousands of pieces going to buyers around the world. Japan is one of my favorite subjects to paint—the people, culture, and surroundings—and I’m ever grateful for the opportunity to have lived in Japan and have the experiences I did. The love of Japan is now in my blood.”

What are your earliest memories of creating?

DP. “As young as I can remember, I was always looking for pens and pencils to draw on anything I could get my hands on. I was born in London, England, to a single mother, and I was a happy child, often called an ‘old soul’ by neighbors. We didn’t have a lot of money, and my mother regarded art supplies, even drawing paper, as an extravagance. But I was resourceful. I would take my mother’s old magazines and I’d draw in their margins or draw on anything else I could find. At school, I got into trouble each time I was caught drawing in my textbooks.

There are two distinct memories that I remember from my childhood creations. One was a drawing of a tiger. The kindergarten teacher asked the class to draw a tiger using a black and orange crayon. I got five gold stars! I’m sure she gave all the kids five stars, but my memory is that I got five stars! She made me feel like Picasso! Such a memory. Isn’t that amazing?

The other thing I remember clearly. It was raining outside and I don’t recall how old I was. Remember the Bic pens that just wouldn’t work and you had to keep scribbling until they did? While I was scribbling away trying to get the ink to work, out from the pen popped a perfect detailed eye—a fortunate accident, if you will. After that is when I became obsessed over the years with trying to repeat that perfect eye. My circumstances were a blessing in disguise because I developed the discipline to draw the smallest, finest details.”

Did you go to art school?

DP. “No, I’m self-taught. I lived in the libraries to learn how to mix paints. I used to be so envious of anyone who went to art school. Like most everything, things worked out for the best. By not having gone to art school, I had no one limit my belief or idea in what I was creating. I had the freedom to create without being held back. I never got it but we get what we need, not always what we want.”

However, I grew up with the mindset from others that if I didn’t go to art school my art wouldn’t be taken seriously. So I’ve felt fortunate to have my artwork appreciated and valued.”

I have seen your work evolve from you painting geishas on fishing floats, to portraits of geishas and portraits of living persons on traditional canvas, to your wearable art (pictured above). I am fascinated by how you have continued to expand your wearable art of painting on leather to produce awe-inspiring necklaces, bracelets, ties, and handbags. You also paint on silk scarfs and now have leggings printed from your original artwork. I love that your creativity seems to have no limits. Much of your newer work has your painted artwork adorned with crystals, pearls and other embellishments that are stunning creations! I understand that Duet Boutique in Laguna Beach now sells your wearable art.

Deborah Pittman

Are you selling your art anywhere else?

DP. “It will be available in Las Vegas stores sometime this year. For now, my work is available on my website, and it will be updated to show other places my work can be purchased.”

As a fine artist, what mediums do you use?

DP. “Sketching ink, charcoal, watercolor, acrylics, oils and spray paints. Anything I can get my hands on just to try it.

What medium do you like best?

DP. “It depends. If it is a portrait, it has to be oils so it’s a very natural look but they take a long time to dry. I also love acrylics because they are fast drying and have much brighter colors. They’re fun. Acrylics are what I use on wearable art because it’s permanent and flexible.”

Is there a medium you don’t like?

DP. “Although fun to work with, spray paints are too toxic.”

Are you a perfectionist?

DP. “Mistakes are really the most beautiful thing because you can discover different techniques. The worse that can happen is that you can cover the old paint with new paint.”

Do you do commission work?

DP. “Yes. I’m fortunate to have many VIP and celebrity clients in addition to art lovers.”

Have you won awards for your work?

DP. “The first two years in Las Vegas, I participated in the Boulder City Art Show and won first place both years.”

How do you feel about creating your art in Las Vegas?

DP. “It’s been very interesting. In England and Japan, the colors are more muted, and Las Vegas is known for its bright vibrant colors, so I have fused them together. I have to tell you that I wasn’t excited about moving to Las Vegas but I have found Las Vegas to be an unexpected fabulous place with artists around every corner. I have found so many beautiful, amazing, spiritual people here.”

What do you like about being an artist?

DP. “Everything. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. If you’re chasing money for money’s sake, forget it. It only works if it’s a passion and you keep at it. It’s about persistence and a love of what you’re doing. It’s also about not allowing yourself to be stuck but to keep yourself constantly moving and evolving. If you keep an open mind and don’t box yourself in, your creativity won’t be confined to any one thing.”

Are you happy with where you are in life today?

DP. “Yes! Contented and grateful.”

How do you want viewers of your work to feel?

DP. “If it’s a portrait, I want them to feel something. Wearable art is simply an expression of your personality that day and what you choose to wear—and how to choose to communicate and show yourself to the world. It’s about art meeting function.”

What are you doing now that excites you?

DP. “I’ve been commissioned by Siegfried & Roy to design limited edition pieces for their new collection which will be featured in their Secret Garden store at the Mirage Resort & Casino. I’m very excited for the opportunity to work closely with them to create images of their famous tigers on beautiful art wear.”

What do you want your legacy to be?

DP. “I follow my heart with my creations and I want to encourage others to do the same. I want children to just DO IT—create! Make mistakes because they are only learning curves. There are no rules so don’t let anyone restrict you or stand in your way. Have fun with whatever you want to create!”

When I view Deborah’s artwork, it instills in me the sense that we’re never alone. That the beauty of what she creates is all around us if only we take the time to absorb what surrounds us. There is an ethereal quality in her work which moves me and makes me aware that there is so much more to life than I know. I leave Deborah knowing she has much to do and many places to go, always leaving a trail of infinite beauty behind her. I am grateful to call her my friend.

Deborah can be reached at:
Email: dpittman@hotmail.com
Website: www.iaimiai.com