Debbie Bonello - riding high from sell-out show
Debbie Bonello with Searching for Inspiration
On the crest of a wave from her recent sell-out show at Il-Kamra ta’ Fuq in Mqabba, local Maltese artist Debbie Bonello’s star is rising. In this latest post from the Allura Art blog we get Debbie’s reaction to her success and reveal the latest paintings to arrive in the Allura Art Collection from this popular artist.
More new pieces by Allura’s artists can be found on the Allura Art website. All art featured is original and available to own.
The latest arrivals include Searching for Inspiration, which depicts a scene from a painting trip to Sicily taken by the artist and a small group of her fellow artists. It features her companions walking together along a tree-lined path, in a symbolic image which alludes to their shared artistic journey. This was a typical day spent enjoying one another’s company and wandering together in search of beautiful and interesting locations to paint.
Debbie Bonello is best known for her free-spirited plein-air landscapes and seascapes in oils. An art tutor by profession, when her two sons grew up, Debbie returned to painting full time and has been a prolific painter since 2016, she quickly made a name for herself and began exhibiting widely.
“Maltese contemporary art is all the richer since Debbie Bonello has gone public.”
Dr. Charlene Vella, University of Malta.
However, Debbie’s work is not limited to the landscape genre.
“I try to be versatile in whatever I do. Whether it’s portraiture, painting models, plein-air (outdoor) landscape or studio work, I try to meet new challenges which offer growth and bring new learning curves.”
The semi-abstract painting Valley illustrates Debbie’s willingness to experiment outside of the distinctive style she is known for.
Following the exceptional success of her recent solo exhibition, we asked Debbie how she feels…
“It’s still surreal that everything found a new home after my solo.”
“Not in my wildest dreams did I ever dare to imagine this would happen.”
The concept for the show was the impact of COVID-19. “It affected all our lives in many ways,” says Debbie, “so the reaction possibly reflects that.”
The exhibition took place fairly soon after the re-opening of public events, which, according to Debbie, “must have enticed the public, since gatherings were forbidden for a while.”
When the Sky Sings and Liquid Sky are colour studies which form part of a small collection of sky-scapes which serve as an experiment in creating different moods.
Debbie on landscape painting
“As much as I love doing plein-air paintings, I tend to shy away from location painting in summer due to the heat. It doesn’t mean I stop hunting for possible compositions, though. In fact I seek out beach scenes which I can then work on at a later date. These images generate warmth during the cold winter months.”
Summer Umbrellas was painted partially on location on one of the artist’s favourite beaches. Speaking of the piece Debbie explains, “the weather was too hot to finish the painting in situ, so it was completed afterwards in the studio. It stands as a memory of a great summer day spent on the sand, swimming and walking, as ideally every hot summer day should be spent.”
Allura is very proud to be a part of Debbie’s artistic journey and we congratulate this most dedicated and prolific of artists on the warm reception her work is so deservedly receiving.
To find out more about the artist and her paintings visit Debbie’s profile on Allura Art.
And finally…
The Allura Art Collection is an evolving, curated collection of original paintings, some figurative and some abstract. The Allura Art website features pieces in a variety of genres, styles and sizes to suit home, office or commercial interiors and which also make beautiful and unique gifts. Furthermore, the search by price page makes it easy to browse according to your budget.
The Allura Art collection is regularly updated with new artwork and new artists. To receive updates by email, join our mailing list.
Allura Art deals only in genuine and authenticated originals which are sourced directly from reputable living painters. We offer original fine art at studio prices with secure online payment and safe shipping internationally or local delivery throughout Malta and Gozo. Visit the Allura Art website or find Allura on Facebook or Instagram at @allura_malta. Contact Allura at info@allura.mt or +356 99583389.
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