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A walk with a friend took us to this Christmas Eve sunrise on Lake Ontario. I can sense the curve of the earth here, and the continent beyond. I've explored the trails, beaches, forests and Bluffs since childhood. My daughters grew and played here too.

I like Canadian stories, and remember them in my studio. Only music invades the awesome gift of detachment there, and I translate through watercolour and acrylic. Alternately, I spread my backpack paint paraphernalia on cottage decks, far off islands, over moss and ground, beach, rocks, campsites or on classroom tables whenever I can buy myself another package of professional technique and wisdom.

In watercolour, my elusive holy grail of media, I make mistakes and messes, have exploited saltwater, spit and campfire charcoal, moonlight, candles, flashlight, and even scrubbed sheets of 140 lb cold press in the lake to get things right. I remain eternally grateful for all tricks, tips and secrets thrown my way.

I honour artists whose work and language move me, thinkers whose spirits use poetry and faith, children who believe I can paint anything, friends who show me their own wild spaces, canny left-brainers who help with computer responsibility, and those who are curious enough to visit or even buy a small piece of me on stained paper.

I honour the high schools, art schools, gallery owners and my teachers: Mr. Mallon, Miss Heinz, Mr. Ritchie, Arlie Hoffman, Bruce Sinclair, Heidi Burkhardt, Fred Hummel, Carey Carrick, Jay Dampf, Atanur Dogan, Grant Fuller, Gary Chapman, Jack and Melanie Koca, Judy Lowry, Joan Ng, Frances Tyrrell, Martha Robinson, Carole Finn (for guidance with acrylics), Susan Hay and especially Maurice Snelgrove.

I acknowledge the daily elements of this planet which motivate me to persist. Please enjoy these beginnings of self-expression. See them as windows as well.

- deborah j. reed

2004 - 2011	Sold prints, cards and originals at The Village Tea Room (Scarborough Bluffs)
2010	Breast Cancer auction fundraising campaign
2011	Children's Advent calendar; Presbyterian Church of Canada
2011	Fundraising pledge form; MCCT
2012	Fundraising auction; MCCT
2012	Regina Food Bank
2013 & 2014	Canadian Tire Jumpstart calendar
2013 - 2015	Ducks Unlimited (Alberta) auction
2016	Painting donated to a silent auction to subsidize a Vimy Ridge pilgrimage
2016 - 2022	Featured at Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre (Haliburton)
2016 - 2017	Exhibit at Highlands Studio (Minden)
2017 - 2022	Baked and Battered (Haliburton)
2018	Finn Artists’ Centre (Minden)
2018	Painting donated to Minden Rotary Club Auction
2018	The Dorset Community Health Hub
2018 - 2022	Sold paintings at Art Squared (Haliburton)
2019	Haliburton County Wellness Centre

Deborah has written and illustrated Rhymes with Haliburton - 50 Poems to Read Out Loud, Field Hooky, and Ontario Wizard. She has developed six portraits for The Children's Book Bank and one of her paintings was used as a teaching tool in Haliburton seniors’ programs. Her works have been displayed at Toronto City Hall. Her greeting cards have sold at venues and professional functions. Deborah's work hangs in private collections and offices.

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