Debra Lapatina: Painting Personal Patterns of Discovery and Growth
Debra Lapatina, born in 1954, is an abstract painter whose journey and works are deeply entwined with her personal experiences, particularly her recovery from PTSD. Residing in Taos, New Mexico, Debra's art is a testament to the transformative power of self-expression and healing through creativity. Supported by her partner and fellow artist John Hegener, Debra began her artistic journey by first drawing and eventually painting, channeling her complex psychological experiences into vibrant abstract works.
Art as a Reflection of Life's Complexities
Debra’s work is intricately linked with her fascination for the psychological patterns shaped by a myriad of influences including sexuality, early brain development, parental influence, and societal pressures, among others. Her PTSD experience deeply informs her art, allowing her to explore and express the profound intricacies of human behavior and emotion. Each painting serves as an abstraction of these experiences, capturing personal episodes of discovery, integration, and growth.
The Process: Intuitive and Gestural
Debra’s approach to painting is heavily influenced by the advice once given by Roberto Matta to Arshile Gorky: to paint without forethought, allowing the canvas to reflect one's immediate feelings and reactions. This method resonates with Debra as it mirrors her own method of letting her emotions and subconscious guide her brush. The process is both gestural and intuitive, marked by spontaneity and a keen, non-judgmental observation. As she paints, the complex entanglements of her life experiences gradually reveal themselves, forming metaphoric patterns that eventually suggest a title and hint at a deeper meaning.
The Goal: Mirroring Moments of Becoming
Debra's ultimate goal is to paint the "whole" of an experience, reflecting a moment of becoming that invites viewers to engage in self-reflection and questioning. Her works aim to elicit curiosity and prompt viewers to consider how they use self-awareness in interpreting their realities. Through her paintings, Debra encourages a dialogue about the unseen psychological imprints that shape our perceptions and behaviors.
Conclusion
Debra Lapatina’s artworks are more than just visual expressions; they are vibrant narratives of resilience and personal growth. Each piece invites the viewer into her world of introspection, where the canvas becomes a site of psychological exploration and an ode to the human capacity to overcome and evolve. In Debra's own words, she doesn’t just create art—she mirrors moments of becoming, making her work a powerful catalyst for understanding and change. As she continues to paint in Taos, Debra Lapatina remains a poignant figure in the art world, championing the transformative power of abstract painting in navigating and understanding life's complexities.
