Artist In Focus
Debra Keirce
Painting Miniatures with the “Old Masters“ Touch
Debra Keirce was born in 1961 in Detroit, MI, USA. At an early age she knew she would create art all of her life. She knew it would be art like the Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings she saw in museums. So when Debra spent her high school senior year, 1978, trying to figure out what career to pursue, she had to formulate a plan.
Debra was told that realistic paintings were not fine art anymore. Rothko, Warhol and Picasso were in vogue. The modern art movement was in full swing. She didn’t relate to it. She had a year working part time as the city of Sterling Heights, MI, illustrator where she worked on cartoons, logos, newsletters and other illustrations for city publications. She thought maybe a career like Norman Rockwell had as an illustrator would suit her. It wasn’t enough. She wanted to learn more realism. After some unsuitable experiences with art schools, Debra went to The University of Michigan and got a degree in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering option.
Vanitas, Oil, 5 x 5“
© Debra Keirce
With that, she entered a career that lasted until 1997, when she was a corporate design engineer in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. In the 1990’s and 2000’s, her full time job was parenting her three children and at the same time built her painting commission business. It wasn’t long before Debra realized that she had found her home in the world of miniature art.
Finally, in 2010 when her kids were mostly grown, she began to pursue her love of art full time. She began a concentrated self directed study of the specific areas in realism painting that she wanted to strengthen.
For the last 8 years, she has worked hard to build an impressive resume of sales, awards, gallery representations, museum acquisitions and other accolades.
Family, Oil, 6 x 4“
© Debra Keirce
Vacation Incredients, Oil, 4 x 4“
© Debra Keirce
Flash in the Pan, Oil, 6 x 4“
© Debra Keirce
Debra does not consider herself a miniature artist exclusively. About half of her work is larger, from 4 inches up to 4 feet in size. She understands the need to define miniature paintings as 25 square inches or less and highly detailed. However, she often uses the same miniature painting techniques in areas of her small format and full sized artwork.
Glass Houses, Oil, 2.5 x 4”
(C) Debra Keirce
The Stand Out, Oil, 2,5 x 4“
© Debra Keirce
Her art journey has taken Debra to this place where she is finally understanding why she is drawn toward miniatures, and why she prefers classical realism to photo realism – in particular, why she loves the Dutch masters and has since she was a kid. Debra loves art that draws you IN.
The Dutch masters painted in exquisite detail, similar to miniature art, and that alone invites you to lean in and look closer. Also, the 17th century pieces are quite often composed in a way that invites you into the painting. Sometimes you are peeking into a room through a corridor. Other times you are viewing the subject through a window, or over a stone fence. Most times, you feel as though you have spied the subject in a candid moment.
Her personal goal in her art is to give the viewer an experience. Debra tries to stimulate all the senses. She wants you to feel you are IN the painting, feeling the heat or the splash of the wave, smelling the flowers, hearing the birds chirping in the distance.
The subjects she paints are less important to her than the experiences. If Debra feels she can convey an experience, she will paint it whether it is a portrait, a landscape or a still life.
Mother Teresa,
Egg Tempera
Painted 2006
© Debra Keirce
Biding Time, Oil, 4 x 4“
© Debra Keirce.
Best Wishes, Oil, 4 x 4“
© Debra Keirce.
Selected Parts of Debras Resume
SOME OF HER SOLO SHOWS AND ACCOLADES
MAA – MINIATURE ARTISTS OF AMERICA
(the highest recognition for a miniature artist exhibiting in the USA)
2018 Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC
2018, Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Charleston, SC
2018, 2016 Colgan Gallery at NOVA College, Manasses, VA
2017 Huckleberry Fine Art Gallery in Rockville, MD
It‘s What‘s on Tap, Oil, 3,5 x 5,5“
© Debra Keirce
Blooms, Oil 4 x 4”
© Debra Keirce.
Rhapsody in Red, Oil, 4 x 4”
© Debra Keirce.
Past and present exhibitions with prestigious miniature art societies.
MPSGS – MINIATURE PAINTERS, SCULPTORS AND GRAVERS SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON DC
MASF – MINIATURE ART SOCIETY OF FLORIDA
WFM – WORLD FEDERATION OF MINIATURISTS, RUSSIA 2012 AND SOUTH AFRICA 2016
RMS – ROYAL SOCIETY OF MINIATURE PAINTERS, SCULPTORS AND GRAVERS, UK
HS – THE HILLIARD SOCIETY OF MINIATURISTS, UK
CPA – CIDER PAINTERS OF AMERICA
Flotsam and Jetsam, Oil, 4 x 6“
© Debra Keirce.
Making Wishes, Oil, 2,5 x 4“
© Debra Keirce.
Ring True, Oil, 4 x 4“
© Debra Keirce
Debra has received numerous honors, including “Best of Show“and “First Places“ for her Miniatures and large works. She is an active member of Miniature Art Societies worldwide – supporting the special art of painting miniatures:
MAA – MINIATURE ARTISTS OF AMERICA
AMA – ASSOCIATION OF MINIATURE ARTISTS
MPSGS – MINIATURE PAINTERS, SCULPTORS AND GRAVERS OF WASHINGTON DC
MASF – MINIATURE ART SOCIETY OF FLORIDA
ASSOCIATINO OF MINIATURE ARTISTS
THE ART RENEWAL CENTER – ASSOCIATE LIVING MASTER ARTIST
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF MINIATURE ART
Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Oil, 5 x 5“
© Debra Keirce
In Debras Own Words:
“I am on this art journey because I am enjoying the ride so much. When people join me on the travel by signing up for my newsletter or purchasing my work, it delights and honors me to have them on the journey with me.
There is no greater joy in my art experience.”
© Debra Keirce
Find more about the artist on her website at
www.DebKArt.com