The great thing about women is we are all different. Each one of us has something to contribute to society and we do it in different ways. We each look at the world differently and, contrary to popular belief, politically conservative women are just as unique and individual. Debbie Blount is one such unique and interesting woman.
An artist, Debbie uses her talent to share her dark side, her light side and sometimes, her inner child. I had the great honor to talk to her and came away feeling as though I had met another kindred spirit. Her faith and courage are inspiring, her talent is amazing, and her heart is truly beautiful.She told me that she couldn’t remember a time when she wasn’t drawing and that she had asked her grandmother once, “Where did I get my art? Was it from my mom or dad?” Her grandmother told her that her art had come from God and I must tell you, I agree with the grandmother. For Debbie, art is just as much a need as it is a pleasure. It’s something that she “has to do”.
Through her art, she shares with us her subconscious feelings and thoughts about the world and life. You can see the sadness and anger in her darker works. I asked her about a specific event in her life and if that had been the influence behind that “darker period”. After a moment of thought, she said that she thought it was. She told me that she hadn’t really thought about it at the time, but that looking back on it her darker work came during that difficult time for her.
She started drawing and painting animals. It wasn’t until a friend suggested she draw humans that she began to consider it. Her first attempt was a beautiful “goth girl” or “creepy cutie”, as she likes to call them. The great thing about these creations, you can see her inner child in them. You can see the heartbreak and hope, as well as the mean and sweet that is a child. One of her facebook fans expressed it like this, “These Pics are all child like w/ a touch of darkness but yet brilliant artistic work. Much respect for your talent n gift to us to enjoy Thank you Debbie. My own view I love all PICS in this group. Love n Peace”
Regardless of whether your prefer dark to light or vice versa, I would bet you’ll find one of her “cuties” to your liking and that expresses your inner child.
Debbie told me that it was really in the last year that her lighter side began to come out. I had to wonder if it was in order to balance all the negativity in the world. Even in my personal favorite, through the heartbreak is hope and the light comes through. Once again, she told me that it wasn’t a conscious choice for her but that she could see that being part of it. Also, her current circumstances indicate great things on the horizon and it could be that hope she is currently expressing. Either way, as a person needing positive energy, I’m glad her light is being shared with us.
Most of Debbie’s artwork is NOT political. Although she has completed a few pieces that reflect her conservative ideals, most of her work is a personal reflection of who she was or is at a specific point in her life. There is nothing wrong with drawing or painting the conservative or patriotic, but patriotism is not a required of an artist just because they have conservative views. And art that is dark doesn’t necessarily have to come from a man, as a few patrons found out at one of Debbie’s showings. Her poor friend had to tell people when they approached him about the art, “Don’t ask me…she’s the artist!” Debbie’s greatest gift to society and the art world is that she breaks the stereo-typical mold of what people think an artist should be. She doesn’t conveniently fit into a little box that liberals or conservatives think she should.
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