Hello my artist family!
It’s Jen here, and I’m so excited to introduce you to the wonderful Deborah Curley, an artist from Prescott, Arizona whose story is such a heartfelt reminder that creativity never truly leaves us — it simply waits patiently for the right moment to return.
Deborah began painting back in high school and absolutely loved it. But as life often does, responsibilities stepped in. Time and finances made it difficult to continue painting, so art took a quieter role for a while. Still, her creative spirit never disappeared. It showed up through other hobbies and in the way she decorated her home. And I always say, if you’re finding joy in creating beauty around you, the artist in you is very much alive.
Everything shifted in 2019 when Deborah retired and found herself wanting something meaningful and fulfilling to pour her energy into. Then in 2020, she happened upon a DabblePaints Facebook post and decided to join the group. From that moment on, she was hooked. I love how art has a way of tapping us on the shoulder right when we’re ready to listen.
When I asked Deborah what inspires her creativity most, she immediately mentioned colors and textures, with nature being one of her biggest sources of inspiration. Sunrises and sunsets, in particular, spark her imagination. You know that moment when the sky looks so perfect you think, “That belongs on a canvas”? Yep — that’s Deborah’s playground.
The painting Deborah chose to share is especially meaningful to her. This lilac piece represents a turning point where she listened to her inner muse and decided it was time to create from her own ideas. And of course, she started with purples — her favorite color. Honestly, that feels exactly right.
What I love about this piece is how much freedom lives in it. Deborah talks about enjoying the ability to paint “outside the box” using techniques she’s learned over the years in my classes. You can feel that confidence and enthusiasm in the texture and movement. This is what happens when an artist stops asking, “Is this right?” and starts asking, “What happens if I try?”
Deborah also shared how much she loves DabblePaints, describing them as creamy with rich, vibrant color — and that other products simply don’t compare. Hearing that never gets old for me, because it means the paints are doing exactly what they’re meant to do: supporting creative joy, not getting in the way of it.
When it comes to advice for beginners, Deborah shared something truly powerful. She reminds us that we were all beginners once, and that painting with enthusiasm — and yes, even getting messy — is part of the fun. She also shared that some of the paintings she felt missed the mark ended up selling right away. I absolutely love that. It’s such a beautiful reminder that perfection isn’t the goal. Expression is. Sometimes a painting isn’t meant for our eyes — it’s meant for someone else’s heart.
Deborah, thank you for sharing your journey, your honesty, and your art with our artist family. Your story is such a lovely example of what happens when we give ourselves permission to create purely for joy.
Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.
XO,
Jen