Artist Statement
Art reflects the artist’s surroundings, beliefs, and experiences. The more I paint, meet people, visit galleries, and study art history, the more I enjoy this journey of exploration. My artistic intention is for my art to interpret these subjects while using a variety of expressive, interesting, and bold colors and textures. I enjoy the challenges of making unifying compositions, working with different styles or experimenting with different mediums. Art is a multilayered experience with many perspectives.
Personally, I want to live and create while seeing similarities and embracing differences. The visual experience of music, nature and positive energy have always been important parts of my creative process. Hopefully, my visual interpretations will relate to the viewer with the joy I had in creating each piece of artwork.
Recognitions
2022 Internal Journey of the Artist Juried Show, FemArt Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Celebrations Juried Show, The Art Center, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Touch of Spring Juried Show, The Art Center, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Ocean Art Exhibition Juried Show, Women Writing for Change, Jacksonville, FL
2021 Roots Art Exhibition Juried Show, Women Writing for Change, Jacksonville, FL
2020 Solo Art Exhibit, Ponte Vedra Library, Ponte Vedra, FL
2017 - 2021 Juried Art Shows, Ponte Vedra Cultural Arts Center, Ponte Vedra, FL
2015 - Present- St Augustine Art Association, All Juried and Invitational Art Shows, St Augustine, FL
2015 - 2016 Chair and Artist, Celebrate Life Art Exhibition, Ponte Vedra, FL
2003 Selected Artist, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Heights, IL
2001 Selected Artist, Renaissance Gala, Myrtle Beach, SC
2000 Featured Artist Alternatives Magazine, Myrtle Beach, SC
2000 Featured Artist, Television interview, Southern Styles, Myrtle Beach, SC
2000 Presented Solo Show, Prince George Gallery, Georgetown, SC
2000 Presented Solo Show, Litchfield Arts Academy, Litchfield, SC
2000 Invited Artist, Coastal Carolina University Gala Exhibit, Conway, SC
2000 Presented Solo Show, Martha Graham Troupe Gala, Coastal Carolina University
2000 Invited Artist, The Masters Show Art Works Gallery, Pawleys Island, SC
2000 Invited Artist, Winyah Arts Prevost Gallery, Charleston, SC
1999 Featured Two-Person Show, Tall Grass Gallery, Park Forest, IL
Honors (selected)
2022 Selected Art Work for Social Media and Promotion for Internal Journey of the Artist Juried Show – FemArt Gallery, Jacksonville, Fl
2022 Second Place Award – The Art Center, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Most Creative Award – St Augustine Art Association, Florida Wild Juried Show
2021 Featured Artist – ArtBox Gallery, St Augustine, FL, July 2021
2010 Recognized as Teacher of the Year, Jones County High School, NC
1999 Honored by Prairie State College Board of Trustees – Naming of The Deborah Forrest Lightfield Permanent Art Collection, Chicago Heights, IL
1998 Appointed by Major of Chicago Heights, IL – The Illinois Fine Arts Review Council for the Illinois Arts in Architecture State Program
1997 Named Curator, Dedication of New Christopher Art Gallery Show, Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL
Career
Designed, created and sold fine and fashion jewelry, Los Angeles, CA 1972- 1992 Created "Statements!", a fashion jewelry company for boutiques and department stores nationally.
Employed as Gemologist and Sales by Princess Cruises.
Granted National Teacher Certification.
Lived in Virginia, New York, California, Illinois, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Art teacher elementary through high school. 1992- 2013 National Teacher Certification and Teacher of the Year.
Served as Director of Education, King Regional Art Center, Virginia.
Studied under Grace Cole, Pat Moore, Carla Inwood, Bruce Chandler, Dian Hammett, Danny McLaughlin, Elizabeth Bronson, Jeffery Nichols, Eve Albrecht, Paul Ladiner, Ellen Diamond, Allison Watson and Larry Moore.
Artwork featured in galleries and juried, invitational, ongoing and solo shows in Virginia, Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida.
Gallery, Juried and Invitational Art Shows and Commission Artwork
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Bachelor of Science
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Gemologist Certification
Gemological Institute of America
California
Artist Info
Deborah Lightfield lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida. She worked 20 years designing and creating jewelry, 20 years as an art teacher and is now working as a fine artist full time.
Throughout her career, she has shown and sold artwork
throughout the country. Deborah has lived in New York, California, Illinois, South Carolina, and North Carolina. She worked on Princess Cruises for two years. Her career and interests have taken her on travels around the world.
Fun fact is that she is related to James McNeil Whistler.