2019 E.A.S.T. ARTIST HIGHLIGHT | Deb Otto
Deb Otto
We're exploring the world of the dozens of local artists featured at MMAC’s 2019 EAST gallery and their mediums. The goal of this series is to shed light on real-life Central Texas artists exploring what & why they create.
Introduce yourself and your work!
My name is Deb Otto, a lifelong artist, and entrepreneur. My husband and I have been living in Austin since 2011. Early in my creative career, I sold my art by printing it on gift shop items, selling throughout the US. Now, I enjoy strictly doing original artwork.
With many unique original pieces placed in Austin area homes over the past 5 years, I thrive on hearing what Austinites want to see on their walls. About half the work I do is commission based, after seeing a client’s space. Paintings may be abstract, specific to their color scheme, or landscape artwork with special memories or meaning. When clients love my work, I realize they totally understand my “language.”
My newest work involves lots of fluid pouring and sometimes throwing paint at the board or canvas. These bold individual pieces relate to each other but are “close cousins” rather than a close-knit family or series of work. I really let my creative juices steer me.
Clouds by Deb Otto
Q: When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
As a lifelong artist, I cannot remember a time I did not want to create. When I create a piece, I am basically telling a story with my hands. Though I have a ceramics degree, I currently work in acrylic paints and mediums. I also build small furniture. I never stop trying to find new ways to express myself and share interesting pieces with the world.
With your art, what kind of message or story do you find yourself trying to convey and how do you use your medium to do that?
Many of my best memories have helped evolve my work. Travel has often inspired everything from scenic paintings to fluid pour art based on the colors of the area visited. I recently began combining video footage of inspiring places or other inspiration with video of creating the artwork that was inspired by it.
Though a variety of experiences and unique compositions, my work conveys a message to push boundaries and constantly learn and investigate.
The exploration of techniques constantly drives my work as well. Creative use of the medium can make magic (or sometimes a mess) but either way, it helps my skills progress.
To take “virtual notes” I started a youtube channel recently, Modern Living Art, so I have a way to remember how I created certain pieces during my new work explorations. Most of these works are just 12x12” but they inspire me to do larger canvases once I see the dried results. Often times, my friends or clients see the work in a whole new way after watching the video. It builds a stronger connection with my exploration process.
In some of my work, I mix standard art materials with other raw materials to create a new combination. As an example, recent works have incorporated torn raw canvas applied to stretched canvas and then paint poured overall. I have a designated mixing area for mediums with all types of latex and acrylic paints as well as products like Flotrol and silicones. Part artist/part chemist, I find that changing percentages and pigment types, even the type of water used, can really enhance the results of a painting.
Climate Change by Deb Otto
What are you excited to be seeing or doing at EAST?
I love inspiring artistic types young and old, encouraging anyone with a desire to create something to pursue it. Hopefully, they will experiment, as they have the knowledge, or talk to someone who can get them started to see where their talents might lead. Getting into the medium is the best way to grow! I am hoping to engage the EAST audience with my work as well as get their creative juices flowing. It will also inspire me by interacting with the other EAST artists.
Check out more of Deb’s work on her Website
ABOUT BIG MEDIUM’S EAST AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR:
Big Medium's East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) is a free, annual, self-guided art event spanning two weekends in November. EAST provides opportunities for the public to meet the artists and artisans of Austin in their creative spaces.