From Palette to Passion: Artist Debbie Giese’s Dedication to Art and Teaching By Writer and Contributor Emily McGinn
Debbie Giese, local artist, and art instructor at the Palos Verdes Art Center (PVAC), spends much of her time in her studio. Tucked behind her house, the studio is lined with paintings, showcasing her work from over the years.
Giese has been making art for as long as she can remember. Her artistic skills began to show when she was just a child. As a child, Debbie made artistic observations, noting details and included them in her art.
Debbie has an ability to identify and then nurture art in children and adults.
As a longtime art teacher, Giese has recalled her own journey and looks to encourage art in others. She has seen some of her students grow into professional artists.
She now teaches classes at the PVAC, working with beginners to advanced-professional artists. “I think you can nurture art at any time in someone’s life,” Giese says. She focuses on teaching the elements of art and the principles of design, which develops and sharpens the artists skills at any level in their art journey.
Giese describes herself as depicting “emotion in her art”. Each painting holds a story and an entire artistic experience, from the moment of inspiration to creating the art piece. She mostly works in the impressionism style, emphasizing looseness, color and light in her work. Her primary medium is oil using the palette knife and large brushes.
Although she is a professional artist who sells her work, Giese focuses on what is inside her and what she wants to express rather than what is trending in the art market. Debbie shared, “I do like it when other people appreciate the techniques and expression of my art”.
Giese’s worldview influences the way she teaches art and the way she lives her life. She emphasizes positivity in her classes, encouraging artists to support each other.
“My philosophy in life is you lift people,” Giese says. That’s the other thing that’s really important is the community aspect of it.” You lift people in the art community, and you lift people in the community at large.
This philosophy rubs off on her students, who enjoy exploring the different techniques and styles of art in a positive environment like Giese’s class.
“She exposes students to a wide variety of styles and disciplines while emphasizing developing one’s own voice and individuality,” says Jinha Kim, a student of Giese’s.
Giese incorporates collaboration among artists in her classes, which helps them grow as individuals and as a community. "Debbie refers to her students as Fellow Artists because they are".
Ann Johnson states: “Debbie is generous with her time, with her knowledge, with her encouragement. She allows her students to discover their own voice, and she gives us the fundamental building blocks to develop the confidence to do so. I feel so fortunate to have her as my teacher, mentor and friend.
Iulia Gamloski describes Debbie as “selfless, giving her time and her heart in the name of art, nurturing artists with fundamentals and encouragement”.
“Studying painting with Debbie Giese was the smartest decision I have ever made,” says Susan Whiting Manning, a local professional artist. “I have learned more in each class than in all my college courses put together. She has really helped me ‘find my voice.’ Exploring new techniques has helped me grow as an artist. I love painting with other artists and learn so much from them.”
For Giese, community extends beyond the art community. She looks to connect people and to serve others as a volunteer. Ever since she was a high school student, at Rolling Hills High School, she has looked for ways to volunteer. Giese credits this giving-back mindset in part to being from the era of President John F. Kennedy, who famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Giese views the community in much the same way, adapting the saying to, “Ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community.” She encourages others to use their gifts and talents to help others and to give back to the community.
Julie Robinson describes Debbie as being supportive, kind, patient, inspirational, caring, and encouraging! Julie has used her artist skills in the community as long as she can remember “…from volunteering by leading art lessons at the local elementary school to volunteering my time to paint murals on our school campuses-I’ve always used my skills to help beautify the neighborhood and ignite the artistic talent in kids living there.”
“It’s about passion,” Giese says. The passion that the artist feels while creating and the passion that the individual and community feel experiencing it.
Giese does just that, looking for ways to use her artistic skills to better the community, whether that means volunteering in local schools or participating in art contests like the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show Poster Contest where PVAC member artists submit work. Debbie has presented her art to this annual contest year after year, which supports Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. This year, eight of her students submitted for their theme, “Saddle Up for Smiles”. Two of those students were in the top 3, Susan Whiting, received 2nd place while Sally Herriott received 3rd place. Debbie exclaimed for good reason, “I am so proud of all who participated!”.
“It’s just part of who I am,” Giese says. “I love to see and lift people and get the best out of somebody and have them see that in themselves.”
You can see Giese’s work displayed around the Hill, including at the PVAC’s The Artists’ Studio Art Shop and Gallery, the South Coast Botanic Gardens and at the Palos Verdes Library in Malaga Cove and Peninsula Center.
Artists left to right: Jean Lo; Oana Iulia Gamlowski; Daniela Saxa-Kaneko, PVAC Executive Director, standing in for Susan Whiting Manning; Sally Herriott; Deborah E. Giese; Shiva Asrari; Sunghi Yoo; Jinha Kim
A native of Southern California, Deborah grew up in Torrance and Rancho Palos Verdes. She graduated from Rolling Hill High School and Vanderbilt University. Deborah’s interest in Art began at an early age when she won numerous awards in Art. Deborah paints in the Impressionistic style & specializes in painting Alla Prima & uses palette knife, large brushes & impasto. She is influenced by Master Artists: Cezanne, Sorolla, Monet & Van Gogh.
Deborah studied oil painting under Sebastian Capella, Peggi Kroll Roberts, Watercolor with Joe Garcia & drafting with Watts Atelier of the Arts. She continues to learn & grow by participating in workshops, experimenting with new techniques in her art studio & collaborating with her fellow artists.
Deborah is a member of the Palos Verdes Art Center (PVAC), The Artists' Studio of Palos Verdes, Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild, The California Art Club, Destination Art, San Pedro Art Association & a prior member of the La Jolla Art Association.
Her work can be seen in various galleries, exhibits, community venues & in private homes across the country and internationally. Deborah’s current work can be seen at The Artists’ Studio Gallery at the PVAC and The South Coast Botanic Gardens in Palos Verdes.
As an Instructor, Deborah teaches Oil Painting classes at the PVAC and provides private instruction.
PVAC Classes: Search for "Exploring Your Unique Voice As an Artist Using Watermixable Oil" at pvartcenter
https://pvartcenter.org/instructors-insight-debbie-geise/
https://pvartcenter.org/virtually-speaking-deborah-e-geise/
https://pvartcenter.org/water-mixable-oil-painting-techniques/
