An acclaimed contemporary artist best known for her paintings inspired by nature and light, artist Debra Ferrari relies on the processes of layering and rendering organic shapes and patterns to narrate the relationships and experiences seen and felt in our natural world. Her unique painting techniques of brush work and troweling punctuate her art with depth and light, drawing the viewer closer to the story that lies inside the painting.  Ferrari explains, “My paintings are emotional stories about my love for nature depicting beautiful spaces and transporting my viewers to places in time and memories of their own experiences in the natural world.”

Ferrari’s work is collected both privately and publicly, within the United States and Internationally. Public collections of her work include: Boston Consulting Group, Lee Memorial Oncology Hospital, Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Hotel Indigo, Space 39, Sun City, Dalfort Capital, EarthX, Jack Shroeder & Associates, The Beaux Rivage, The Weirs Plaza, 215 Cedar Springs and The Travis on The Katy.

Debra Ferrari has been featured in a variety of notable publications including: Luxe, The Dallas Morning News, Spectrum News, Texas Interiors, Fine Interior of Naples, Patron Magazine, The Dallas Design District, Paper City, Aspen Luxury, Candys Dirt, Design Now, Architectural Digest and Modern Luxury Interiors.

Debra’s collection of works at Nepenthe Gallery includes a series entitled “Ruanna.”  From the artist:

“Here is the story behind the Ruanna collection. I’m creating the paintings in this series using my Adler collection technique—those organic abstract works where I drag and manipulate the paint over multiple, multiple layers to build depth and emotion. But with Ruanna, I’m taking it even further by incorporating thread and feathers.

The thread and stitching are a tribute to my Native American grandmother, who loved to sew and quilt. It brings that tactile, personal connection into each piece. The feather, on the other hand, is a powerful symbol of life and energy from nature—a sacred element in Native American culture that holds deep spiritual meaning.

Each painting is both an exploration of texture and an homage to heritage, memory, and the natural world.

Ruanna was my Great Grandmothers middle name. She got that from her mother. Which was her first name. “

– Debra Ferrari, artist

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