Q&A with Local Artist, Debb Rugg Warren

Artist Debb Rugg Warren shares her love of art and color. Check out the Q&A below to hear what inspires Debb to create her exciting artwork. We love hearing from the artists who make up Affordable Art of Charleston!

Tell us about yourself:

I grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, the oldest of three and attended Umass, Amherst. I double majored in fine art and education, then taught in elementary schools for 13 years and catered in Newton, Ma. I met my southern husband at a mutual friends wedding and he has been slowly moving us south. First in Mass, then Alexandria,Va and finally when our daughters were 2 and 4 we settled in Mt Pleasant. I love the pace of life here, the beaches and the weather, the food, and the amazing friends we have met that we consider family.

Tell us how you got started in art?

I guess I’ve always been interested in art. I spent a lot of time in high school putting together a portfolio, then college was an amazing experience with so many different forms. Cooking, catering and designing tables on weekends filled my creative side and once I became a Mom it was fun to paint with the girls. 

How would you describe your art?

I work with mostly Acrylics. I love colour and a strong line, abstract paintings have always appealed to me. Being home so much lately I have been painting more still lifes.

What inspires you?

The outdoors, the marsh, and the colours that make up the lowcountry. Sometimes simple everyday objects, like a bright papaya or a bowl of candy corn.

Which artists inspire you?

Frida Kahlo, her portraits and colour. The stories in her work. I love Gauguin and the strokes of Van Gogh, I love to sit and look at Instagram at the end of the day and look at all of the artists that are creating out of their home spaces. It's pretty amazing.

What do you love about working in the Charleston Art Community?

I love how supportive everyone is, and how different everyone's work is.

How does Charleston inspire you?

I think the energy of the city, the ocean. I’m at home here. It's easy to be inspired.

What is your current favorite piece that you have done?

Current favorites are my Container ship paintings. Really big, I love painting the colours of the containers against the water and marsh. I love a big abstract and seeing where they end up hanging.

Any new pieces that you are working on that stand out?

I am working on a Christmas release, small nativities and three kings but also have some larger still lifes that are making me happy

What is the most difficult part about being an artist?

I paint at home, and I like to have the house organized before I start. I get the kids off to school and then throw on painting clothes and get going, once I start to paint and the music is going it’s hard to stop. But with making dinner and laundry I end up having to stop often.

What is the best part about being an artist?

Making my own hours, I have a travel kit so that I can paint when I’m not at home.

What are your favorite pieces at Affordable Art of Charleston?

I love that everyone's art is so different. Susan Colwell's soft colour, Taylor Faulkners heavy black charcoal, Anne Abueva has these amazing brush strokes.

Why do you love working with Affordable Art of Charleston?

Carol makes it so easy, I paint and she does the hard work of selling. I love her eye and enthusiasm. Carol saw my work and has given me great confidence, The gallery space is bright and clean and everything looks so fresh.