About

 

Debra LaRocque is an award-winning artist from Bay City, Michigan, where she lives with her husband.  She has two grown sons. Working primarily in graphite, acrylic, and watercolor. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Painting and Drawing from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her work is inspired by nature, light, and the patterns created by it.  

 

For the past ten years, her award-winning work has centered around graphite drawing and watercolor.  Recently, she has been working on a series based on bird nests. She is fascinated by the construction of this often overlooked object. “A lowly nest is really a marvel of construction and engineering. My goal is to elevate this often ignored and overlooked item.”

 

Artist Statement

I am drawn to rich, vibrant color, strong lines, and shadows. My inspiration is nature and the intricate patterns found there. I am also intrigued by light reflecting on objects, creating intricate shadows and reflections. The combination manifests itself in my love of line and shadow.  I use line to convey the beauty and power of nature and shadow, suggesting the subtle shapes and patterns we often take for granted. Whether working in color or black and white, my intention is not to copy but to highlight, suggest, and to encourage the viewer to take a closer look.