Debra Sheffer

DEBRA SHEFFER

Mt. Sydney, Va

Colorful, Landscape, Vibrant

Debra Sheffer is a plein air landscape painter, working mostly in oil and gouache. Her inspiration comes from painting outdoors. She often begins by painting small panels which become larger works in the studio. She feels that painting by direct observation most effectively conveys the color and composition of a scene.

She loves to absorb the beauty of quiet places around her home in Augusta County, often returning to favorite locations over and over. Sheffer's paintings have been selected for juried shows such as the American Landscape show in Staunton, Nelson Gallery in Lexington and the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC) show in Harrisonburg. Recent awards include Honorable Mention at the VMRC show and the Best River Painting award at the Bath County Show.

Sheffer is a Virginia native who spent much of her childhood in Nigeria where her parents taught at a teachers' training college. Outdoor adventures there with her family inspired her affection for nature.

She has a degree in Fine Art from Bridgewater College but studied figure drawing at James
Madison University.