Debi Shandling Crawford

Debi Shandling Crawford – Artist Statement

My work as an artist started at an early age, fostered by my artist father, Barney Shandling.

After having spent over thirty years working in watercolor, I took a monoprint workshop. I was fascinated by the magic that occurred when the plate, ink and paper went in one side of the press and emerged full of wonderful surprises on the other side. I was hooked.

I took more workshops in collagraph, etching and linocut and like working with all these processes in printmaking. My Dad was a lithographer, so the concept of printmaking is very familiar to me, and I often feel his presence with me when I am working in the studio. Because I love color and also like working with a brush, I enjoy hand coloring some of my prints with watercolor.

My inspiration has always come from an emotional response to the subject I’m looking at… subject, color, value play the most important role for me and my initial response to any or all of those elements informs and guides the process and the final execution.

Having spent several years in Tucson, I returned to Vashon Island nine years ago and joined Quartermaster Press. I like to travel, and am inspired by images seen on trips, particularly in the Four Corners region and Northern Italy. I am also inspired by my study of Tibetan Buddhism. I am a Registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant , recently retired and enjoying adventures in my new travel trailer.

Debi Shandling Crawford’s work can be seen at Quartermaster Press which is stop #35 on the 2022 VIVA Spring Art Studio Tour, May 7-8 & 14-15, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am – 5 pm.  For more information on the free, self-guided tour and an interactive map, click here.