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I’m Deborah Minarik — a desert-born artist drawn to bold color, emotional landscapes, and the quiet spaces where light and shadow meet. I was born in Tucson, Arizona, and though I moved away as a child, the vibrant spirit of the desert never left me. Years later, it would become the heartbeat of my artistic voice.

My path to painting wasn’t linear. I spent years in the corporate world before shifting into interior design, where I earned a BA in Interior Design and worked as Director of Design at a boutique firm. That role sharpened my understanding of color theory, space, and harmony — all elements that now infuse my canvases.

For much of my life, I felt a tug toward painting but hesitated to pick up the brush. Photography became my creative outlet until, in 2018, I returned to Arizona. The desert called me back, and this time, I answered with paint.

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My Work

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My paintings are bold and expressive, often inspired by the natural beauty of Arizona — its saguaros, washes, mountain ridges, and dramatic skies. I work primarily in oil, using a palette knife to build up texture and energy. My dreamscapes don’t always mirror a specific location — they reflect a feeling, a memory, or a spiritual moment of stillness or joy.

Many of my collections are rooted in themes of light, growth, and personal transformation. Some of them — like Led by the Light or Path of Light — are shaped by grief and healing. Others are pure joy — bright florals, zinnias bursting into bloom, or an unexpected bend in a canyon path.

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Exhibiting & Community​

 

I’m honored to be a member of the Sonoran Arts League and the Scottsdale Artists’ League, and I currently exhibit my work at the Fountain Hills Artists’ Gallery in Arizona. I’ve also participated in local exhibitions including The Glowing Desert and juried shows across the Southwest.

My art has found homes with collectors across the U.S., and I love hearing how a painting speaks to someone else’s journey.

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Beyond the Canvas

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I’m also a writer, exploring themes of creativity, grief, joy, and everyday wonder in my blog, Light Between the Shadows. It’s where I share the stories behind the paint — and the moments that inspire new work.

You’ll often find me road-tripping through Arizona, camera in hand, chasing light. When I’m not painting or writing, I’m spending time with my family, walking desert trails, or dreaming up my next collection.