My name is Debra Patton. I am a fifty-four year old self-taught abstract artist. My talent for painting was discovered while living on the dark side of American life. A life filled with pain and prisons, drugs and loss.

It was while stumbling around in this state of darkness that I begin to seek beauty in the ugliness that surrounded me. I begin painting pictures on garments with makeup. Since I didn’t know anything about a canvas, I started painting on paper and glass, on anything that paint would stick to.

Inside of me a spiritual war was being waged. This war was reflected in my work. But the true beauty of my art was not expressed until I made peace within myself-- until I forgave myself and others. It was then that true beauty begin to flow from my heart with love.

Art has become my vessel for healing. By painting I have found a sanctuary from the depths of loss, sorrow, and abandonment.

Painting has become the balm that healed my soul. It fills my heart with peace and joy. Through my art I would like to come full circle in healing others. The colors will pull out pain and replace it with happiness and promise. Step into my world of color and beauty a world where hopelessness is transformed into hope and sadness into joy.