About
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Deborah Gaventa Brown
A true artist, Deborah Gaventa Brown painted with acrylic on canvas and paper, sometimes layering in found objects and household materials to strengthen the artworks meaning. She found inspiration on the road as she traveled the world. Her work often conveys a sense of mysterious infinity which we find ourselves in, as well her own journey of self-exploration
Deborah’s Personal Biography
circa 2016
As a 5th generation Floridian growing up in Tampa, I'd occasionally joke with my great-grandmother that her father must have been a pirate. Who else would have lived in Florida in the 1850's besides Indians, mosquitoes and pirates? That landscape, ocean, sun, water and human passion have been long-time inspirations of mine.
After receiving my Fine Arts Degree from Florida State University, I traveled to Chicago for my first professional exhibition, organized through the Chicago Art Institute and a Chicago art gallery. It was a wonderful experience, and my art was well received, offering a boost to my motivation and confidence.
Subsequently, Yale University offered me a scholarship toward my Masters in Fine Arts. There, I gained a new perspective on creativity, primarily from being taught by regional and internationally recognized artists. This exposure was quite different than my previous Florida experience. Later I moved to New York City, along with many of my college friends. During that period of my life, I learned from many generous and established artists...from Judy Chicago-courage to show my soul, from Richard Serra-space and material, from Frank Stella-strength to whimsy of color and shape, from Eva Mendieta-breaking social boundaries, from Rockne Krebs-division of space through structured light, from Sam Gilliam -weight/balance of color on canvas, and from Elizabeth Murray-quiet strength of image. Winifred Lutz, David Von Schlegell, and Vince Scully shared the value of their wise, constructive critique.
Over the past 30 years my work has taken many paths; my life and art are continuous works in progress. Similar to Henri Rousseau and Paul Gauguin, there have been times when life evolved around survival and family; leaving very little time for art. I guess we are not all Picasso.
My goal is that through revealing the intimacy of my soul, my work will profoundly touch yours. For me, when art works, it speaks to love, passion and a reflection of one's vision. This is my desire as I continue this work in progress.
Deborah’s Obituary 2021
Remembering the outstanding life of Deborah Gaventa Brown, our guardian warrior.
Deborah Gaventa Brown (66) a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, died peacefully on July 24. A fifth generation Floridian, Deborah was born in Tampa and moved during childhood with her family to Tallahassee, graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1977. She enjoyed frequent trips to the Florida beaches and summer travels with her parents and sister during these years, later instilling a love of travel and exploration in her own children.
Deborah was a talented painter and business woman. After obtaining a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1980 from Yale University on scholarship, she moved to New York City where she learned from established artists including Richard Sierra, Frank Stella, Rockne Krebs, and others. She spent summers in Montpelier, Vermont at Goddard College as Artist in Residence, and was Associate Professor of Women’s Studies. In the mid-80s Deborah returned to Florida and served as Director of a non-profit arts center in St. Petersburg before embarking on a 20-year career in sales and business with GTE (later Verizon) and AT&T, which she continued when moving to Santa Barbara, CA, where she married and had a family of her own. In 2000, Deborah moved to Atlanta with her three children to be closer to her sister and parents, and upon retiring she found time to again embrace her passion for art and painting.
Deborah was a proud and loving mom who nurtured her children’s interests in art, nature, animals and friendships. Their home was an open door for family, friends, and pets (bunnies, adopted cats, and finally a wonderful dog that Deborah fell in love with). There was always artwork in progress in her open home studio and displays of family photos everywhere. She was also an avid gardener, with sunflowers and native plants attracting butterflies, and fruits and vegetables proliferating in her gardens.
Deborah was a committed champion of women’s rights for over 30 years. At Yale University, she co-organized the Women’s Speakers Bureau, co-founded the Guerilla Girls Art Group and organized the Collective Feminist Women’s Art Exhibition. She coordinated a Feminism and Environmentalism Conference and Exhibition at the University of Massachusetts. At Goddard College, she led the Women’s Visiting Artist Series and organized a Protest Art Installation with the Bread and Puppet Theater. In Atlanta, Deborah volunteered with the New Georgia Project, canvassed for various successful campaigns, and participated in Get Out the Vote (GOTV) and other important efforts.
Deborah will be terribly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Deborah is predeceased by her parents, Harry Reymer and Betty Anne Gaventa. She is survived by her children, Jack, Ayliffe and Nathan Brown; sister Suzanne Gaventa Folger (Gray) and niece Anna Folger; aunt Mary Alice Braukman and cousins Howard and Stacy Braukman; cousins Bill (Beverly) and John (Juliet) Gaventa; and other family members and friends near and far.