We had the good fortune of connecting with Debbie Korbel and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Debbie, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Junior Mints, sex, making art, looking at art, having artist-friends (they are mostly weird and I love them) Billie Eilish, puppy-porn (looking at photos of puppies), the beach, long, hot showers, clean sheets, Instagram, my iphone, driving with my daughter in her convertible, going to hear stand-up comedians and live music, mocha frappaccinos. Why? Because all those things release the best chemicals in my brain and I’m always looking for my next fix!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The first question I usually get when people look at my sculptures is, “Where do you find all this stuff?” And the truth is, it’s everywhere–you just have to pay attention and recognize it when you come across it. As for me, I keep gloves in my car and am always on the lookout for potentially useful materials. I tend to go for things that are curvy and asymmetrical as I like to sculpt figurative subjects.The acquisition of a single item may be the catalyst for an entire sculpture. I’ve never been the type of person to make an outline before writing a paper, or to make sketches or a maquette being starting a project. My brain is wired more like spin-art than a needlepoint tapestry. I like to let the piece evolve and I like to leave room for “happy accidents.” To me, my art is just another way to make connections with people–especially those that aren’t easily offended. If they like what I do, understand and relate to the feelings I am expressing or see value, humor or beauty in it, I have succeeded.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For music and comedy, I’d take them to The Improv on Melrose and Largo at the Coronet on La Cienega. For restaurants, I like Paradise Cove Beach Cafe in Malibu, Mr. Noodle in Westwood and Mastros Steak house in Beverly Hills. For shopping, I’d take them to the most beautiful and unusual store in Los Angeles, CHURCH Boutique on Melrose. And if they’ve never been to LA before, I’d take them to some of the standard tourist spots- Hollywood Blvd, Grauman’s Chinese, etc.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Ed Korbel
Website: https://www.debbiekorbel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiekorbel/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbiekorbelart/
Other: debkorbel@gmail.com