Debra Dobkin
Current Exhibits
JWAN "Song Of The Land" at the Hebrew University USC Campus. Jan. 20 to May 31, 2012
"Women!" at NoHoGallery LA, March 24 to May 27, 2012
Artist Statement
Although I was schooled in the style of classical painters, my approach to the canvas comes from an improvisational point of reference much like that of a group of musicians creating a piece of music. This group would be my palette, materials, subject matter and tools. Together, they transform and coax light and shadows into my work through me. The interplay of chiaroscuro and the devastating beauty of a reflected light from an object real or imagined inspires me to paint.
Biography
Debra Dobkin grew up in the city of Chicago. At age 6, she was chosen by the Art Institute of Chicago for children's scholarship classes. From age 14 to 17, she studied oil painting with the artist Joseph Abbrescia followed by college at the School of Fine Art at Washington University in St. Louis. Along with her art education, Dobkin went to music school and became an accomplished percussionist/drummer. In the years that followed, she has had a successful career performing and recording in a wide range of musical settings around the globe. While traveling and playing music, she has continued to study, draw, and paint. Her work now holds the richness of those experiences. Dobkin moved to Los Angeles in 1976 and resides in Studio City, California
Education
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Village Art School, Chicago IL. with painter Joseph Abbrescia Chicago, IL.
- Washington University of St. Louis / School of Fine Art
- Maryville College, St.Louis Institute of Music, St.Louis, MO.
- Roosevelt University, Chicago Musical College, Chicago, IL.
- Barnsdall Art School, Los Angeles, CA- painting, printmaking, and mixed media with artist Suzanne Bothwell
- UCLA Extension- painting, mixed media, and drawing with artist Suzanne Bothwell
- Art Studio/Master Class with artist/mentor Renee Amitai
Exhibitions
- Washington University of St. Louis School of Fine Art 1970
- Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery "All City" Group Show 1999
- Latino Museum Of History, Art and Culture Los Angeles, Ca.- Work chosen for "Hybridity -American Unity" Exhibition 2010
- El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument at The Pico House Gallery - "Sacred Memories: Contemporary and Cross Cultural Expression of Day of the Dead" Show 2010
- The Latino Museum Of History, Art and Culture in conjunction with UCLA School of Music "A Celebration Of World Music" Los Angeles, Ca. April 8 to July 8, 2011
- OpenBorders 2011 Thousand Oaks, Ca. June 4 thru August 2011
- Peace 2011 Exhibit, Nagasaki-ken Fine Art Museum, Nagasaki, Japan - August 9 to August 21, 2011
- 71st Annual Nisei Week International Art Show, Los Angeles, CA. - August 6 to August 21, 2011
- El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument at The Pico House Gallery - "Sacred Memories: Contemporary and Cross Cultural Expression of Day of the Dead" Show 2011, October 28 to November 28, 2011
- Five Elements/One World International Art Festival, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery - October 13 to November 13, 2011
- El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument at The Pico House Gallery - "Sacred Memories: Contemporary and Cross Cultural Expression of Day of the Dead" Show 2011 October 28 to November 31 2011
- "Women!", NoHo Gallery LA, North Hollywood, CA. - March 24 to May 26, 2012
- JWAN"Song Of The Land", Jewish Institute of Religion – Jack H. Skirball Campus, Los Angeles, CA. February 23 to May 31, 2012
CD Cover Art and Design
- "Richard Thompson's Cabaret Of Souls" 2012
- Mark "Pocket" Goldberg - "Off The Alleyway" 2010
- Jackie Young- "Two Rivers and Three Trains" 2010
- Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps - "You Know You Love It", 2010
- Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps -"The Rhythm Method" 2007
- Jody Siegel- "Stepping Stone"2008"
- Johnny Lee Schell- "Schell Game" 2006
Organizations
- Lantern of the East, Los Angeles (LELA)
- Southern California Women's Caucus For Art