Meet Deborah Bottorff | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Bottorff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was drawing and painting from the time I was a young child. I was raised in Southern California where my many visits to Laguna Beach and its exciting art scene inspired me to choose art as my path.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
FOAM MOSAICS

My work is whimsical, fun and colorful.
Each new project begins by studying the elements of something that I love.

After I have visualized, I mentally deconstruct all of the shapes, colors and nuances of what I see
into small fragmented kaleidoscope shards of the whole.

My Mosaic on Canvas is the platform where I reconstruct the fragments that I envision.
It is a strategic, and at the same time, fluid and meditative artform using a bright palette of custom-painted 3-dimensional FOAM pieces which are cut into flowing, merging shapes and adhered to a canvas like an abstract puzzle. The entire canvas is covered with these pieces that playfully connect to create the entire expressionistic image. Every work of art is tactile. My art has been curated in a show for the blind.

It took years to develop this medium with trials and errors along the way. My 45-year background in graphic arts was very helpful in arriving at the current stage of my work. It gave me clarity and attention to detail. It is always evolving as each new artwork offers new discoveries. To my knowledge, no other artist works in exactly this same medium. It is very rewarding when my clients understand and embrace my vision.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them to my studio in the Bridge Road Fine Arts Gallery to see my collection of work in progress and show them a little demo. The next day, we could pack a lunch and spend time at my happy place — Hobe Sound Beach. It’s quiet and clean and lifeguards are on duty. One of our days we could visit all of the cool shops in downtown Stuart and walk along the Riverside Pier and then order Salmon Tacos for lunch on the patio at the Sailor’s Return. A trip to Vero Beach to gallery-hop is always a lot of fun. There are many talented artists displaying their work there. I love breakfast at Jan’s Place in Jensen Beach. They also have a wonderful bakery with amazing desserts to go. Downtown Jensen has lots of shops and galleries. Jensen Beach Park is also nice for a long walk on the shore. On the drive back, the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House is one of my favorites. They have a wonderful all-you-can-eat salad bar. Closer to home is the Harbour Bay Plaza at Sewell’s Point. A lot of posh shops and home to The Palm Room, a gallery exclusive to the Martin Artisans Guild, where I often show my work. The Elliott Museum is a fun visit to see a huge collection of vintage cars and learn about the history of our area. And just for fun I like to visit the House of Hope in Stuart. It is a very well-kept thrift shop. You never know what you might find there. If my guest likes to snorkel, the Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach is a nice spot. On a good day it’s worth the drive. You can see so many varieties of sea life there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father was a big influence in my choice to become an artist. Although he was a rocket scientist (yes, really), he was creative in many ways, including art. He was very supportive of my decision to pursue a career as an artist. And both of my parents were always quite proud of my creative side.

Website: deborahbottorff-artist.com

Instagram: Instagram: dbottorffartist

Facebook: Facebook: www.facebook.com/deborah.bottorff

Youtube: Deborah Bottorff – Colorful Dimensional Expressionism