Deborah Nagano

I am a mixed-media artist working with acrylic and oil paints, oil and chalk pastels, and most recently collage.

My work is typically representational and spans a wide variety of subjects, including landscapes, portraiture and eclectic humorous subjects. I am endlessly inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and its magnificent skies. For the last two years, I have been fascinated by collage. I immediately saw trees, mountains, and rivers in some interesting papers I found, and was intrigued by the possibilities. I began collecting and creating paper for collaging, forming initial shapes with torn paper, and adding layers of paint, oil pastels, inks and charcoal. I love creating a feeling of motion and depth, using many layers of media. I am drawn to bright colors and sharp contrast and texture. I finish my multi-layered pieces with resin because it both protects the work and adds depth to the composition. I am constantly experimenting with this process, looking for different media and techniques to add to my work.