Ural Owl, mixed media on wood. 12″ by 16″

Ethereal, Tactile, Rich

By Deena Dolan

Layered with texture, atmospheric hues, and decorative finishes, Deborah Masters’ work comes alive with detail, mood, and personality—reflecting her lifelong passion for the arts and her deep connection to nature.

A passion for the arts is firmly implanted in the DNA of Deborah Masters. Born in England into a family of artists—in fact, generations of artists and artisans—art has always surrounded her. As a child, her immediate family—parents, sister, and brother—immigrated to Canada, a creatively positive move for each of them. Art happened. It was an integral part of daily life. And spectacularly, it continues to this day.

Formal, postsecondary education took place in Owen Sound in the 1980s, where Deborah earned a fine arts degree at Georgian College in the Design and Visual Arts program. The instructors covered a broad spectrum, including all the basics: photography, line art, graphic design, interior design, and traditional media. She thrived. Furthering her studies of decorative painting, she studied in France and at the Ontario College of Art & Design. Encaustic painting has been used since the time of the Egyptians and lends itself well to collage and textured landscapes. Deborah is skilled in this process and has given workshops teaching the unique properties of painting in wax.

Residing in Thornbury, Deborah has worn several hats throughout her artistic years. I first knew her as a jewellery designer, as well as a skilled artist and painter who also specialized in home design and decorative finishes. In fact, my home contains a guest bedroom painted by Deborah and Michel LaChance, which emulates an idyllic apple orchard complete with a tiny ladybug sitting atop a light switch. Even after 23 years, I still love this room’s ambiance and will often just sit and admire the calm it exudes.

Burrowing Owl, Echoes of The Wild series, oil on wood. 10″ by 10″

Flight, mixed media on wood. 12″ by 12″

Each painting of Deborah’s is most definitely a process—one that she has developed through experimentation mixed with knowledge, inspired by various objects such as antique book covers—her vision guides her. Working on custom birch panel boards, her introspective backgrounds are created first. She thoughtfully preserves the grain of the wood so it remains visible, just as it appears in nature. An authentic, antiqued appearance is created using gold leaf. Acrylics are generally used as the first layer, and then countless transparent layers of rich, earthy colours are applied, worked back, and applied again until she is satisfied. “I’m a glazer. I work many layers into my paintings to create the textures, and to define the complexity of nature.” The image itself is then sketched and painted with oils, capturing the necessary details, luminously bathed in light. “I have to be careful not to get lost in too much detail.”

Her process results in a final image that is somewhat haunting. Each critter has a definite attitude. A personality. Often, collectors of Deborah’s work actually give names to the animals and birds in her paintings. Her ability to capture distinct personality traits of animal subjects has resulted in a series of privately commissioned pet portraits. “Carefully chosen colour palettes, strong light sources, and design are critically important to help create my narratives.”

An extremely gentle and honestly kind woman, Deborah genuinely cares about our environment. Genuinely. As well as her kindness, which is finely woven into her philosophy of life, her deep passion for the survival of nature is a constant driving force in her art. Her sincere concern for the betterment of endangered species, in particular, has resulted in an entire series of works focused solely on these fragile subjects. She strives through her art to ensure that people remain aware of not just the vulnerability of these species, but also to understand their importance in keeping balance alive in the world that surrounds us. “I hope to paint in a way that draws the viewer into the beautiful and sensitive world of nature.” At the same time, she is a perfectionist where her art is concerned. “I have to love everything. It has to be right.”

Visitor 1, mixed media on canvas. 12″ by 12″

Little One, acrylic on canvas. 12″ by 12″

Deborah and her sister Jessica, who is also an accomplished artist, have often travelled to protected places like Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve, where interesting little subjects like a tiny Plover, among others, have been discovered. A registered charity (#10737 8952 RR0001), Ontario Nature states, “We are facing the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. Globally, almost one in eight birds, one in four mammals, and one in three amphibians are in jeopardy. In Ontario, there are about 270 plant and animal species that are at risk, a number which is growing. Their loss or decline affects the functioning and resilience of food webs and landscapes—jeopardizing the well-being of all living beings, including humans.” Ontario Nature has acquired the 26.7-hectare Sauble Dunes North property, expanding the Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve and strengthening an ecological corridor along the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula. The newly protected land connects coastal dunes and wetlands between the Sauble River and Lake Huron, helping support species at risk and maintain the ecological integrity of the Lake Huron shoreline.

Deborah’s signature process of combining textured backgrounds and Old World finishes alongside her detailed painting style depicts a bit of a conundrum, a vulnerability, so to speak, that reflects the resiliency of nature. Her wish is to inform and inspire the viewer to slow down and reflect on nature and it importance. Joyfully retreating into her work, Deborah describes herself as being somewhat introverted, although she definitely enjoys being around people. Her laughter is infectious. Painting is her way of contributing, and she hopes that her work will impact awareness. “If one of my paintings makes someone think or causes even one person to care, then I’ve done my part.”

Deborah Masters Art resides in private collections across Canada, Dubai, and the Turks and Caicos. It can be found locally at Adorn II in Thornbury, Home By Design and Deep Water Gallery in Wiarton, or by directly contacting the artist @deborahmastersart, deborahmastersart.com E