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Debra Payne is a painter of rural landscapes and still lifes. Her work ranges from scenes of lush pastoral settings to renderings of houses to depictions of the disposable plastics and containers that consume our everyday lives.

What comes first – the medium or the message? Tell me a little about the work that will be on view.

For me the idea comes first, then the execution. Recently, I have returned to still life painting using disposable objects as my subject matter, which today is just about everything we own. From the clothes we wear to the food we eat or the car we drive, most everything we touch is headed, at some point, to the landfill. That’s a lot of potential subject matter.

Do you have a favorite piece?

My favorite piece is the one I’m working on.

What’s the most challenging thing about your creative process?

The most challenging part of the creative process for me is having enough confidence in my ideas and abilities to show others my work.

Who do you consider your main artistic influences?

I am currently looking at the work of any and all still life painters.

What books, movies and/or music have inspired you recently?

Garbology  by Edward Humes

When working on his art, Francisco Gabuardy  draws from a lexicon of personal symbols. Many symbols allude to family ties, but also to larger concepts such as freedom and survival. He considers himself a mixed media artist who can create something out of anything he can get my hands on. However, he likes to re-explore the plethora of information and techniques that he’s confident with. This is why his work carries a playful knowledge of color, material, composition and attention to detail, which is infused with symbolism and narrative.

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Introduce yourself and describe your work and the media/genre you work in.

My name is Francisco Gabuardy. I consider myself a mixed media artist that can create something out of anything I can get my hands on. When working on my art I draw from a lexicon of personal symbols. Many symbols allude to family ties, but also to larger concepts such as freedom and survival. In my work I like to re-explore the plethora of information and techniques that I’m confident with. This is why my work carries a playful knowledge of color, material and composition. I pay attention to detail, which is often infused with symbolism and narrative.

What’s the most challenging thing about your creative process?

I have noticed that whenever I build a hand made frame for a piece or any sculptural component, my process slows down. This is because I’m confronted with the dilemma of finding a space to chop down materials such as raw wood. However, I always find a way to overcome this obstacle.

What do you feel is your role as an artist?

I believe that true creative artists are born to show their best skills and to move forward. This is why I’m always asking myself how I can push myself further and create new refreshing things? I want my pieces to exude beauty, mystery and meaning. I invest clear curiosity, time and energy, which beckons the viewer to do so as well.

How has your practice changed over time?

As long as I can remember I have always been lucky in the sense that I’ve always had a constant stream of creative ideas. This consistent flow of ideas eventually led me to a point in which I felt that I was missing out on capturing all of those thoughts. I started working on multiple sketchbooks during a year and it was a game changer. This has helped me to maintain a steady circulation and record of ideas. As a result of this practice I’m left with drawings that can be considered finished art pieces or blueprints for future exploration. This way of operating allows my natural creativity to function in a planned way or in an impromptu way. Ultimately, this enables me the time and realm to play with concepts with complete freedom which is a major motivator in my studio.

What books, movies and/or music have inspired you recently?

Currently I’m listening to music by Ricardo Arjona, K'pop and soundtracks from games like Stardew Valley. I just finished playing Luigi’s Mansion and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Right now I’m playing Outlast 2 and Far Cry Primal.