
and refining my craft is very important to me as an artist. The true artist never retires from painting, it is as much a part of them as their smile. I approach my work with an interest in bringing life to each piece. It is a discipline, with grace and forethought that each composition is designed. The classical tradition of fine art portraiture requires intense studying and training, but the journey is always enjoyable. To paint the portrait of an individual one must first understand the personality or the soul, and aspire to create a work of art worthy of that person. It is an honor and a privilege to have the responsibility to create the image which will be a lasting tribute to their legacy. It is true that portraiture is one of the finest forms of art. The painter allows time to stop for one brief moment...and yet the image remains forever."--Kepes |
Deborah Ankrom Kepes |
Biography A native of West Virginia, Deborah Ankrom Kepes is a Contemporary Realist trained in the classical traditions of painting and specializing in portraiture. She studied at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, located in Pittsburgh, PA for five years under the direction of acclaimed painter- James Douglas Adams, Core Director of the Fine Arts Department, University of Washington in St. Louis, MO. Deborah's work has been selected for exhibition through many juried selection competitions and was an award recipient in the Portrait Society of Atlanta's 2002 exhibition juried by Gordon Wetmore, Co-Chairmen of The Portrait Society of America. Her work is held in private and corporate collections throughout the United States. For many years Deborah has volunteered her services to The Portrait Society of Atlanta* and The Portrait Society of America**in several positions. Her service in both organizations has been an enriching creative process bringing with it a continual education in the techniques and practices of fine art portraiture. She is currently one of two Georgia Goodwill Ambassadors serving the membership of The Portrait Society of America. Deborah was recently honored as one of four recipients of the 2007 Art Marketing Consultation Scholarships presented by the Cecilia Beaux Forum created to strengthen the role of women artists by providing programs and resources to enhance the quality, as well as, the publics knowledge and appreciation of their work. Both of these organizations are non-profit and promote the education of fine art portraiture. Deborah instructs painting privately and through workshop opportunities throughout the country. She began her teaching experience in 1996, at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, located in Pittsburgh, PA. Through the years she has instructed many areas of study, some of which are Mural Design & Application, Perspective Drawing, Still Life, Landscape, Portraiture and Figurative Painting. At her home studio, classes continue throughout the year, three sessions a week. The classes are created to train the student in strong drawing skills by studying from the masters, receiving a comprehensive color theory class and eventually studying from life. Workshop opportunities have been offered in Georgia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Demonstrations are scheduled several times a year at public and private venues nationally. Painting has always been a passion in her life, however her love of friends and family nourishes her soul. She enjoys cooking and reading with a particular interest in art history. Deborah and her husband, Mark have raised two sons and currently live in the Metro Atlanta area. *The Portrait Society of Atlanta, Oldest Portrait Society in America founded in 1979 www.portraitsocietyofatlanta.org **The Portrait Society of America, International Organization founded in 1998 with over 3,000 members worldwide. www.portraitsociety.org |
Copyright 2006, Artworks, scans, and web design Deborah Ankrom Kepes. All rights reserved |

You can reach Deborah at Cobble Creek Studios Grayson, GA 30017 Telephone 770-982-7472 770-597-4053 Email: info@deborahkepes.com |
