Art Chowder January | February 2018, Issue 13 | Page 9

A
nationally recognized professional
artist, Debbie Hughbanks shares her love
of wildlife, her sense of humor, and her
heart through her paintings. Inspired by
her family, and the woods that surround
her home, her works range from
whimsical to nostalgic. Beyond being an
award-winning artist, she also happens
to be a delightful person.
Despite being a grandmother, there is a
joyful youthfulness to Debbie that draws
you in. Her passion for animals, family,
and life in general shines through her
paintings, as well as her friendly manner.
Quick to smile and share a story, the life
she’s built is as much a work of art as
one of her paintings.
Art Chowder: Debbie, much of your art
centers on local wildlife. Are you native to
the Pacific Northwest?
Debbie: No I’m not, however, I’ve lived
here since the late 1960’s. I was born in
Colorado, grew up in Missouri, then spent
some time in Germany before coming to
Spokane with my mother and my then
stepfather. He was from Spokane, so when
he reti red from the Army he wanted to
return here.
Art Chowder: Lucky for us! Why did you
become an artist?
Debbie: I always had an interest in art. First
drawing, mostly horses, then branching
out to other animals as time went by. I was
always drawing something as a child, and
continued to create art here and there as I
raised children, while working at and then
eventually owning, a travel agency.
January | February 2018
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