Déborah M.G Cassolis, a maestro of Hyper-Realism Painting, invites us into her vibrant world, where the brushstrokes echo the rustle of palm leaves and the play of light and shadow becomes a symphony.
Her artistic journey, painted with passion for nature, traces back to a childhood where her art spoke louder than words, setting the stage for a remarkable career that defied skeptics and stole the spotlight on international stages.
Déborah’s story unfolds like a canvas soaked in memories, with her journey taking root in a childhood where artistic brilliance peeked through at the age of nine. Judges of a competition couldn’t fathom a child creating such masterpieces, leaving Déborah’s mother in tears, defending the undeniable talent of her daughter. High school saw teachers claim her artwork for exhibitions, leaving Déborah both amused and puzzled.
“I’ve been an artist my whole life,” she shares, reminiscing about her early sketches at nine. “They sent my art back, saying there was no way a child could have painted this. My mother was sad because they didn’t believe that her child was so talented.”
The turning point came during a trip to Africa, where her dormant passion reignited. Bored in Tanzania, Déborah sketched her husband’s family, revealing her artistic prowess. “My husband was like ‘Wow, you’re an artist!’ So when I came back, I decided I had to paint. I quit my job selling light bulbs on a Friday and went to school on Monday. They registered me that day. I changed my whole life right then and there.”
Déborah’s canvases resonate with the magic she feels in palm trees, a passion kindled during her journey through art school. Her conal eyes, a discovery made in college, allow her to see the world in a unique way, zooming into details often overlooked.
“I also have conal eyes, so when you see my paintings, I seem to have a close up of the picture because when I paint, I actually zoom into a section. It’s something I discovered in college. While everyone else was painting from a farther perspective, I could see really close.”
Her love affair with palm trees began in 2009, evolving into an artistic commitment to raise awareness about their endangerment. “I’ve been to different countries, and these palm trees are disappearing very fast because of diseases like weevils. So I thought it would be nice to incorporate that into a painting.”
In a conversation during the San Diego Art Fair, Déborah’s excitement about palm trees is palpable. “I get so excited when I see a palm tree!” she exclaims. It’s a passion that goes beyond aesthetics, extending to a profound connection she feels with these majestic beings.
“I feel an energy with the palm trees. They almost speak to me. It’s the energy that I feel that is a pull. Some of the palm trees are very feminine and some are very masculine; robust and thick and hardy like a bodybuilder. And then there’s some delicate ones – so frail, yet so strong – like a tiny woman. It’s magical for me. It’s almost like the tree wants me to paint it, and this way it will be remembered.”
Déborah’s artistic journey goes beyond personal fulfillment, manifesting in a commitment to environmental consciousness. Through her brush, she aims to immortalize these endangered treasures, capturing not just their beauty but also the urgency of their conservation.
“The more I learned about palms, I found out they’re going extinct from deforestation and other factors. Palm trees are very peaceful for people. It’s a vacation place, a tropical place,” she explains, shedding light on the ecological message embedded in her artwork.
Déborah’s artistic contributions extend to her community, where she supports non-profit organizations by donating signed prints for fundraisers. Her generosity is a testament to her belief in the power of art to create positive change beyond the canvas.
In the kaleidoscope of Déborah M.G Cassolis’ artistic evolution, her paintings become more than images—they transform into portals to a world where palm trees whisper stories, and each brushstroke captures the essence of a disappearing paradise. Her journey, marked by resilience, passion, and a touch of magic, beckons us to look closer, feel deeper, and embrace the enchantment woven into the fabric of her art.
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