Biography

I live with my husband in northeastern Washington State on five beautiful acres. Surrounded by pine trees, mountains and several lakes, our home (my studio) is a perfect place to create. I have a great fondness for animals (both domestic and wild) and enjoy being able to view the deer, moose, bear and other wildlife that visit regularly. They, along with the many domestic animals that share their lives with us often find themselves appearing in my paintings, as do other members of our family.

In addition to animal related themes I have always been extremely interested in western art and that is a predominate focus of much of my art. I use our experiences here at home, as well as those relayed to me by family, friends, and working cowboys for the ideas for my western and rural themes. Occasionally my work is historical in nature and, in that case I will use the collection of American Indian and cowboy memorabilia that my husband and I have collected through the years as a source of inspiration.

I work predominately in acrylics, pastel and colored pencils, but am always anxious to try new mediums and combinations of familiar ones. My art techniques include working with a rather limited palette and mixing the paint (or layering the pastels) to achieve the desired color and results. I paint on canvas, masonite or gessoed panels/hardboard, and in the case of pastel work I prefer a surface with a lot of "tooth". When choosing what medium to use it is most often governed by the subject matter of the work. I believe that quality framing is extremely important, so all pieces except commissions and gallery ready surfaces/canvas, come to the purchaser framed and ready to hang.

 

 

 

 

 

 GALLERY
 PRINTS
 CONTACT

I regularly participate in regional and national group shows and juried competitions. I have been honored to receive most recently, a People's Choice Award and a President's Award in some of these shows. I was honored in being selected to create two paintings for the Wolf Education and Research Center to be used to help in their fund raising efforts. The first painting was issued as a limited edition giclee print to help promote public awareness for the wolves and this non-profit organization. As an animal lover, this has been a special pleasure for me. In the Spring of 2003 one of my paintings, "Young'Uns", received an award at the Ellensburg National Western Art Auction and was selected as the poster art for the 2003 Kittitas County Fair. In addition, my painting, "Ever Alert" (two burrowing owls) was selected as one of the Top 40 in the 2005 Wyoming Conservation Stamp Competition. This is quite an honor in this highly competitive international competition!
In early 2006 I received two incredible honors. The first came in the form of the Contemporary Culture Award at The Native Art of Horse Painting Competition (The Trail of Painted Ponies - Scottsdale, AZ.) for my entry titled "Kindred Spirits", and the second was receiving an Award of Merit in the 2007 Wyoming Conservation Stamp Competition for my entry "Blue Promenade" (blue grouse).

Artist's Statement

When a viewer of my art is moved, inspired, or reminded of someone or something important to them, it is the greatest compliment I could ever receive. In my paintings I often try to convey a special feeling or relationship between two or more people, or people and the animals we all share our universe with. I feel that animals are an extremely important part of our existence and should be treasured and celebrated by human beings, and that is what I attempt to do through my art.

What's New In 2007

Pictured here is "Metamorphous" the life-sized carousel pony I was selected to paint in conjunction with Carousel Ponies on Ice- a fund-raiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, Washington, this year. My "pony" is actually a zebra who has many smaller zebras within his stripes; a traditional carousel saddle motif on the side shown here, but an African motif on the opposite side reflecting his 'roots'; and a positive message - "Grab the Ring - Dream Your Dream!" - adorning his breast band. "Zack, the Zebra", along with the other carousel animals, was auctioned off in May, 2007, in a Gala Event to benefit this extremely worthy cause.

I am a proud member of the Artists for Conservation (AFC),
an Associate Member of Women Artists of the West (WOAW),
Equine Art Guild (EAG) and a member of The Northwest Pastel Society.
You can view more of my work by visiting www.natureartists.com/hughbanksd.htm

Home | Gallery | Prints | Commission | Trail of Painted Ponies | Murals | Bio | Contact

All artwork shown is copyrighted and may not be copied or
reproduced in any way without the written permission of Debbie Hughbanks.
   
©2004 HughbanksArt.com site maintained by WEBS WWW Web Services.