The Artistic Journey of Debra Lapatina
Debra Lapatina, born in 1954, is a self-taught abstract painter currently residing in Taos, New Mexico. Her journey into art began in 2003 after recovering from PTSD, when she met her partner, John Hegener, also an artist, who encouraged her to begin drawing and painting. Debra's fascination with psychological patterns born out of experience is a driving force in her work. She explores themes such as sexuality, early brain development, parental influence, abuse, environment, culture, religion, poverty, and stress, which constitute complex behavioral patterns. Her paintings are abstractions of these experiences, often depicting personal episodes of discovery, integration, and growth. Debra's approach to painting is gestural, intuitive, and emotional, allowing spontaneity and non-judgmental observation to guide her creative process. Her goal is to paint the whole of these experiences, mirroring moments of becoming and encouraging curiosity and self-awareness.
