About the Artist

Debra Latham, a long time award-winning artist, has her work displayed in public & private collections in the United States and abroad.  Her representational work in rich oils can be described as impressionistic realism with a loose and expressive style -- everything from landscape to figurative, plein air to studio pieces.
 
Debra is a native Texan and much of her inspiration comes from her travels & the family farmhouse in the Texas Hill Country. She teaches oil painting in Kingwood, Texas, where she lives with her husband.  She won her first of many art competitions in the 5th grade. At the age of 12, she received her first commission - to paint a mural on the gym wall of her middle school.  Debra recalls,“The only compensation was to skip basketball practice twice a week.  It was probably best.  I was a better painter than basketball player."
 
Debra, a self-taught artist who studied with Jeff Hein, Dan Gerhartz, Rob Liberace, Clayton J. Beck & Jeff Legg, didn’t pursue becoming a professional artist until her 2 children were grown.  She credits her inspirations as John Singer Sargent, Sorolla, Pino, David Leffel, Nydia Lazano, Daniel Gerhartz and Robert Coombs.
 
  

Statement

Painting is something I simply must do.  I live to paint, I paint to live.  I love the challenge that faces me each time I get before that blank canvas.  Whether it be one of God's magnificent sprawling landscapes before me or a live model, trying to capture all the subtle nuances is what intrigues me.  I like how impressionism doesn't give all the information to you and lets you complete the painting in your own mind.  Every viewer can make the painting more meaningful & personal that way.  I want my art to provide just a pause in life that brings a viewer a bit of enjoyment, comfort, and beauty, to briefly bring our lives back to center in this overly electronic and computerized world.  The process of transforming a blank canvas into a beautiful painting is an awesome thing for me and over the years, that process has consumed me and fulfills my purpose in life.  I just love the way cool & warm light plays on the model or hillside.  I love to teach so that others may have that same experience.

 

Awards & Accomplishments

 April 2019 - Best of Show Paint the Town Event/ Marble Falls TX

April 2019 - 1st Place - Quick Draw - Paint the Town Plein Air Event

April 2019 -  Two Rivers Plein Air Event - Juried in New Braunfels, TX

Aug 2018 -  Featured Artist in Plein Air Magazine

Sept 2018 -  Commissioned to paint CEO of Pharmaceutical Company

April 2017 -  Peoples Choice Paint the Town Event/ Marble Falls TX

Sept 2017 -  Commissioned to paint CEO of Pharmaceutical Company

March 2017 -  Lighthouse Plein Air Event, Juried In, Jupiter,FL

June 2018 -  Bucks County Plein Air Festival, Juried in, Buck’s County, PA

Sept 2016 -  Hartford Plein Air Event, Bel Air, MD

June 2015 - 1st Place in Human Figure Category American Art awards 

June 2015 - 1st Place in Fashion Category American Art awards
June 2015 - 1st Place in Portrait Category American Art awards
June 2015 - 3rd Place in Renaissance  Category American Art awards
May 2015 - Juried into the Art of the Heartland National Show
April 2015 - NOAPS “Best of America” Show-Award of Excellence
Feb 2015 -  Commission to paint the Imperial Potentate for Arabia Shriner's Temple, 

  Houston, Texas (unveiling at George R Brown Convention Center July 2015)
Aug 2014 -  Featured artist at Davis & Co. Art Gallery
May 2014 - Juried in Old Town Humble Plein Air Event hosted by Red Palette Art Gallery

March 2013  - Juried into the Oil Painters of America Show

Aug 2012  - Juried into the Outdoor Painters Society National Show

Feb 2012 - 1st Place  - The Woodlands High School Art Trust

May 2011 - 1st Place - The Woodlands High School Art Trust

  (They chose this as the signature piece of their collection)

May 2010 - Lone Star Art Guild Competition 2010

April 2010 - Juried into “Paint The Town” Competition, Marble Falls, TX

April 2010 - 2nd Vice President of Kingwood Art Society

  Head Chair Person for the Kingwood Art Society Shows

March 2010 - Accepted into “Artist of Texas”

Spring 2010 - 1st Place Kingwood Art Society Show & Competition

Fall 2009 - 1st Place Kingwood Art Society Show & Competition

Fall 2008 - 2nd Kingwood Art Society Show & Competition 

Spring 2008 - 1st Place Kingwood Art Society Show & Competition

 
MAGAZINES
Featured artist in Plein Air Magazine 2018
American Art Collector Magazine -  November 2010 Issue
Southwest Art Magazine - December 2010 Issue
 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
 National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society -Signature Member

Oil Painters Of America
Outdoor Painters Society
Austin Plein Air Painters
Houston Plein Air Painters
Artist of Texas - Signature Member
Lake Houston Art League
Woodlands Art League
Lone Star Art Guild
 

 

POSITIONS HELD

National Oil & Acrylic Painter's Society - Sponsors Director

Red Palette Art Center - President 2010,2012 & 2013
Co-Founded Red Palette Art Center - 2010