UPDATED May 2022
Born and bred in Sheffield, Yorkshire, like many I was an early adopter of pencil and paper. Creating art has been an integral part of my life ever since.
After gaining a degree in Visual Arts long, long ago, I traveled and worked overseas, honing my drawing and illustration skills whilst earning a crust through an impressively wide array of jobs. My graphic design experience combined with a life-long interest in the great outdoors led me to become an environmental interpretative designer - a role which I enjoyed for many years, firstly in the UK with the Forestry Commission then, following a move to Canada, with the Parks department of Metro Vancouver and most recently with the municipality of Whistler.
Winking Owl Design was hatched when I first landed in Vancouver; enabling me to take on freelance projects and pursue my own art alongside working as an in-house designer.
Fast forward to today - gosh, how time flies! - and I now live in Courtenay on Vancouver Island. My graphic design days are behind me and I'm returning artistically to my first love; getting paint and ink on my hands - sometimes even on paper - and rediscovering the joy (and frustration of course!) that comes with a personal need to create. Who knows where this will lead at this stage of life - wherever that may be, I'm deeply grateful for the chance to keep on exploring.
Thanks for taking an interest and for supporting local art.
Debbie