Using reclaimed materials allows Deborah to push beyond the boundaries of traditional art-making, transforming discarded objects into imaginative landscapes that invite viewers to see the familiar in new ways. Piano keys, mesh produce bags, and makeup containers become buildings. Plastic milk pull tabs and broken kitchen tong become an egret. Plastic lingerie hangers, broken jewelry, and forgotten toys evolve into intricate architectural and wildlife details. Each piece is layered with unexpected discoveries, encouraging viewers to embark on an “I Spy” journey where small, overlooked objects reveal new stories and hidden connections.
As a self-taught mixed media artist based in Savannah, Georgia, Deborah creates work that is both an exploration of personal creativity and a reflection of environmental responsibility. Her artwork is composed of at least 90% reclaimed and upcycled materials, chosen not only for their unique textures and histories but also for what they represent. By reimagining items destined for the landfill, she challenges conventional ideas of value, beauty, and waste.
Having lived abroad, in New York City, Washington, D.C., and now along the coast of Georgia, Deborah has become increasingly aware of the impact our disposable culture has on our waterways and the natural world. Her practice is rooted in a commitment to reducing her own environmental footprint while demonstrating the creative potential of materials others have discarded. Every fragment carries a past life, and through transformation, becomes part of a new narrative.
Ultimately, her work invites viewers to slow down, look closely, and reconsider the objects they overlook every day. By celebrating the beauty hidden within reclaimed materials, she hopes to inspire a greater appreciation for resourcefulness, encourage more mindful consumption, and imagine a future where creativity and sustainability exist hand in hand.
Deborah’s reclaimed mixed media artwork appeared in the 2020 FX on Hulu miniseries Mrs. America. Deborah most recently earned “Best Individual” in the 2023 Port Royal Sound Foundation Recycled Art Contest for her piece Gray’s Reef – Spade Fish.