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

Hi Deborah, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Simple. It’s who I am and have always been. Even when I was young all of my free time was spent drawing and painting, when I wasn’t doing that I was in the woods behind the house exploreing what ever I could find. When I reached junior high school I wrote and illustrated five or six story books and took art lessons after school until my tutor told me he couldn’t teach me anything else. In high school I took as many art classes as I could. By the time I got to art college I felt like a sponge soaking in as much as I could learning advertising, techniques and how to hone my illustration skills. Back then I declared to my friends that all I wanted to do was to paint!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me a part is my past advertising career with a regional daily news paper. There I learned how to do all my own promotional materials, website, teach and technical support. I also do a lot of wildlife conservation work It took a long time to get to where I am today. I had a really good paying job for many years so when they downsized me I took it as a sign to finally do what I loved. It’s never been easy but if it was I wouldn’t have learned so much along the way and the hard work makes it all worth it. I never consider my latest painting my best, just practice for the paintings to come. I am excited about what I paint and who I am and must share my work!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
South Florida’s stuning beaches to catch some rays and watch people! Diner at Mamma Mia (Boynton Beach) for some excellent pizza. Wacodahatchie Wet Lands to see alligators in the wild also in Boynton Beach. South Beach for shopping, people watching and eating. Mounts or Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens Joes Stone Crab, Miami Beach Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. And last but not least Coconut Grove!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many friends and mentors that have helped me to get to where I am today. The first instruction I received in 2007 for wildlife painting was from Sir John Seerey-Lester who saddly left this world at the end of May. He and his wife Suzie were very supportive and kind to a nervous artist who didn’t know if she should continue painting. They both became friends and he was the first to tell me that I was a great artist and not to stop painting and follow my heart. I have studied with serval pastel instructors and have learned so much. I learned color from Maggie Price, Doug Dawson, refinement from Richard Mckinley and sky/water Liz Haywood-Sullivan. My husband for being supportive, helpful and my rock. Also a big shout out to all those who are my friends, students and patrons who make being who I am possible.

Website: https://www.lafogg.com
Instagram: Deb LaFogg
Facebook: Deb LaFogg
Youtube: working on this now