Debbie Cullis
Artist's Biography
Originally from Wolverhampton, I moved to the Isle of Lewis end of May 2003.
I have always been interested in Art since a child, enjoying art games and activities, specially being encouraged and inspired by my Mother.
I studied ‘O’ Level and then ‘A’ Level Art and went onto do a BA (Hons) in Art and Education, having previously studied a B.Ed degree in Primary School Art for two years. I attained a 2.2 (Hons). The B.Ed provided a good foundation level for all areas of degree level Art including ceramics and sculpture, textiles, painting and printing, and the history of art. I explored and investigated skills and techniques for teaching children art as well as at degree level. It gave me the background to base some of my own style and techniques on, today.
Following my completion of my degree in 1991, I became an Occupational Therapy Assistant and became interested in art for people with learning difficulties. At the end of the year contract, I was interested in Art Therapy but was discouraged from this.
I carried on drawing and painting as much as possible in between full-time jobs. I learned from other artists’ work by copying their paintings from calendars and books. I read as much about their style, of both historical artists and contemporary artists.
In 1995, I joined the SAA (Society for All Artists) and became an active member. In 1996, I got a full-time job as an Administrator at Wolverhampton College. I saved my first month’s wages and went on my first painting holiday to the Isle of Wight with an SAA organiser and Professional Associate, jointly organised with SAGA Holidays.
It was Alwyn Crawshaw’s sister, Shirley Harrell, from Devon. It was the most inspiring and encouraging art activity I had done for a long time. I enjoyed it so much, learned so much and had so much fun. The funniest part was that SAGA arrange holidays for the over 50’s, everyone on the holiday was over 60 years old and I had arrived, aged only 32 years, I don’t really know how I got to be on the holiday. But, I had the most exciting time of my life, meeting other friendly artists alike.
I soon met my partner, Paul, who also worked at Wolverhampton College. Paul has a degree in History and qualifications in Conservation. It was then I began to go out on interesting walks along towpaths and through woodlands. We planned a backpacking holiday for two weeks to the Isle of Skye, which was now, the most thrilling holiday I had ever had. On from that, we had other holidays together. I began to pick up on more names of wild birds, bird-watching, and the names of species of wild flowers. It opened my eyes up to nature of all sorts: plants, trees, birds and butterflies, which I did not know existed, and all looked the same up until now.
We started running stalls at craft fairs, selling hand-made cards and the occasional painting or print. We made hundreds of friends interested in art and met other artists selling their work, giving us tips and ideas.
We then bought a motor-home, which we got away in every weekend, to places around North Wales, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, Lake District and other places Paul had been to, as he was a keen and active back-packer and walker. We began to plan a move to buy our own house. Then, after more visits to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides, we started to plan together a major move of a lifetime.
I painted and made cards as much as possible, while away in the motor-home. I began to get a few commissions and sell more paintings to friends at work. I got commissions for cards in Wolverhampton Art Gallery. This was very encouraging. Then the big move came to the Isle of Lewis end of May 2003. My future was just beginning and my art career was just coming together.
A year after the move, the gallery and coffee shop was renovated and completed. We opened a one double room B&B, which we had turned into en-suite, all part of our house/studio. At the end of the summer season, we chose to then rent out and get some travelling, walking and painting done. I painted everyday in the motor-home. We took over 5000 digital photos, bought a computer, scanner and inkjet printer. We returned to family and friends in Wolverhampton at Christmas time, when the winds were horrific and the snow was freezing on the ground. We liked it and carried on renting, Paul began to paint as well, after 25 years. We had another summer in Sutherland, fighting off clouds of midges inside and outside of the motor-home, at all times of the day and night. It was like being in the wilds of Africa.
We arrived back in our house/studio in November 2006. Back at base, we started framing, scanning and printing off paintings then, we re-launched our gallery and coffee shop in April 2007, my 43rd birthday. We opened up the B&B double/family room, en-suite with a private dining room/lounge.
We now have artwork and crafts in many outlets on the Islands and the Isle of Skye. We also have prints and cards selling in two outlets back in Wolverhampton. I hope to extend to the galleries in the Highlands of Scotland.
I already have a webpage, on www.saa.co.uk/art/islandarts and I am looking forward to extending to Mini Gallery as a link between the two websites. I have been following Mini Gallery for a year and found it to be very inspiring and very up to-date. I would love to hear from any other artists or people interested in my art. Please feel free to email me using my enquiry form or ring me on 01851 830742 with your comments or even wishes regarding purchasing any one of my paintings, a commission or print.
Hope you like browsing my paintings!
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