Debbie James studied at Swansea College of Art from 1975 to 1978. Her joyful, uplifting paintings capture light and shade through the colours of the seasons. Her background in graphic art and design informs her strong compositions, directional mark-making and bold brushstrokes.
Debbie enjoys the freedom and spontaneity of painting outdoors, working en plein air across Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire. A member of four plein air groups across three counties, she has particularly busy summers. Her travels also inspire her work, with painting trips to the Gower Peninsula, Portugal, Jersey and further afield—occasionally setting up a miniature studio in a hotel room.
Working on both large commissions and smaller, detailed pieces, Debbie sometimes incorporates lettering, prose and poetry into her watercolours to enrich the work. Her paintings hang in homes and public spaces across the UK, Australia, Finland, Spain and Portugal.
Debbie takes part in Northamptonshire and Rutland Open Studios and exhibits at venues including the Jackdaw Gallery in Oundle and Stamford Arts Centre. She is also involved with the Welland Valley Arts Society, where she occasionally tutors painting workshops, and regularly returns to teach art groups in Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire.
