Biography

Debbie’s childhood was spent in Te Awamutu until in 1983 when she followed in the footsteps of her father (doctor) and mother (home science teacher) and attended the University of Otago . She completed a BSc in geology and Masters in marine science and post graduate papers in marketing and retail management.

Becoming a mother to three she then started a designers childrenswear clothing company based in Dunedin called ‘Just Kidding’.

Her love of art was sparked in 2007 and she completed a Certificate in Creative Studies, and after shifting to Auckland in 2008 completed another diploma - this time in Ceramics (extramurally) both through Otago Polytechnic whilst working full time for her sisters interior design business in Devonport, Auckland.

In 2014 Debbie 'up-rooted' and for 6 years travelled in a caravan all over Australia selling products at agricultural field days, where her love of birds, photography and painting in watercolour and acrylic’s developed.

In 2020 she returned to the family home in Dunedin and completed a Bachelor of Visual Art (Merit) at Otago Polytechnic . This body of work encompassed the recycled wire "Evanescence" series - flowers, figurative studies and dead birds exhibited at end of year Site (2021) was an almost sell out show.

2022 saw two of her wire figure sculptures shortlisted for the prestigious Parkin Drawing Award in Wellington and in 2023 a wire sculpture figure was purchased by the private art collector Anthony Grant which is now on permanent display at the Matakana Sculptureum. (A second work was purchased by the Sculptureum late in 2023).

In 2025, Debbie was awarded the 3 Dimensional Award at the Wanaka Art Show.