Debra Joy Groesser
“Capturing the Spirit”
Nebraska artist Debra Joy Groesser received her BFA degree in art in 1978. She has studied with such renowned artists as Kevin Macpherson, Scott Christensen, Kim English, John Cosby and Kenn Backhaus. Debra is passionate about plein air painting in oils. Her landscape paintings have garnered national recognition and awards. Being outdoors in God’s creation, whether in her perennial garden, in the mountains or by the sea, provides her endless inspiration for her work. Debra’s ability to capture mood, emotion, atmosphere and a sense of place in her work attracts collectors, both private and corporate, worldwide. Debra also paints portraits and figurative works. In 2011, she was commissioned by Omaha Performing Arts to create a large portrait of Richard and Mary Holland, which hangs at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
Debra is a signature member and 2013 President of the American Impressionist Society, a signature member of American Plains Artists, a signature member and board member of Plein Air Artists Colorado and an associate member of Oil Painters of America. Her work has been featured in several national art publications including the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Art of the West magazine. She was named a finalist in Southwest Art Magazine’s Artistic Excellence competition and is featured in the December 2012 issue of Southwest Art.
Debra is represented by SouthWind Art Gallery, Topeka KS, Mountainsong Galleries, Carmel CA, Abend Gallery, Denver CO, and Art in Miniature, Tubac AZ.
Recent and upcoming juried and invitational exhibitions:
-“Far and Near Horizons: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists” New York City, March 2013
-“Powered by Nature: Seven Women” Mountainsong Galleries, Carmel California, April 2013
-“Earth and Sky: Women of the Prairie”, The Gallery at Artworks, Wichita KS, May/June 2013
-“The Lure of the West” solo exhibition with historical works by Abby Williams Hill, Vashon WA, Nov. 2013
-American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, November 2012 (also 2005, 2007-2011)
-American Plains Artists National Juried Exhibitions, August-Sept 2012 (also 2009-2011) Artists Retreat Award 2012
-Masters of the Midwest Invitational Exhibition, August-Sept 2012, Southwind Art Gallery, Topeka KS
-Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Evergreen CO June 2012
-Salon International 2012 Juried Exhibition, San Antonio TX (also 2008, 2009, 2011) Honorable Mention for Artistic Excellence Award in 2011 AND 2009
-Plein Air Artists Colorado National Juried Exhibitions, 2008-2012 Honorable Mention Award in 2010, First Place Award for Signature Members in 2009
-Door County (Wisconsin) Invitational Plein Air Festival and Exhibition, July 2012 (also 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
-Laguna Plein Air Invitational, Laguna Beach CA, October 2010
-Solo Exhibition, Mountainsong Galleries, Ocean Ave, Carmel CA, May/June 2010
-Carmel Art Festival, Carmel, California, May 2010 (also 2009, 2008) Honorable Mention Award in 2009
-Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Biennial Art Auction, Montgomery AL, February 2012 (also 2010, 2008, 2006)
-Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, 2009 (also 2005 and 2007)
-“Far and Near Horizons: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists” June 2008 to June 2010
-“Inspirations from Rimrock Ranch” National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson WY, 2007
“My greatest satisfaction in being an artist comes from successfully connecting with people on an emotional level through my artwork. My challenge is to create a sense of place and to render my subjects in such a way that the viewer will feel their spirit, the emotions I felt as I painted, and understand what attracted me to the subject. “
-Debra Joy Groesser
