Discovery comes through the process of painting. Inspiration starts with a mark, a color, a form, a layer, and it builds from there. I refuse to be bound by a specific direction or an expected outcome. Each of us is profoundly different - peace begins when expectations end. We are all on our own path. I choose to walk the path of creativity. My work speaks of this path of discovery; it speaks of the unknown, of the pure pleasure of form, of line, of color. Subtle layers and hidden memories peek through in my pieces. In creating something out of nothing, I seek a balance of complex-simplicity that fires my imagination and lights up my soul. I find the exploration of non-objective abstraction deeply gratifying. My work is a continual evolutionary journey of discovery and I believe I am simply along for the ride.

-Deborah T. Colter

Deborah is a contemporary abstract painter who lives on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard. Born in Ithaca, New York, she has been fortunate to live and work on the idyllic island off the coast of Massachusetts for most of her life. Deborah graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts in 1981. She has been a full-time studio artist since that time, with work widely represented in private and corporate collections throughout the United States and overseas.

Deborah had the pleasure of working with the 2015 HGTV Dream Home designers to place three of her pieces in the project that was built on Martha’s Vineyard in the fall of that year.

Working side by side with corporate art consultants and galleries, Deborah has been delighted to be included in some powerful art collections, including Adobe Systems, Biogen Corporation, J.W. Marriott, Cisco Systems, & Conner Strong Companies, among others.

Growing up with a cartoonist/architect father with a ceaseless work ethic, his devotion to his craft strongly influenced Deborah’s approach to her painting practice.

‘Out of Nowhere ‘
June 21 - July 22 Atelier Newport