Deena Abbott was born 1974 in Detroit, Michigan. Her father was artist in the car industry. When she was two years old, her family moved to the Atlanta area to start a commercial art studio. The studio was a second home to Deena as she not only played in the office, she learned various styles, mediums and techniques of art through the numerous artists that worked there. At the age of 10, Deena began having the her neighborhood friends sit for portraits using pencil and charcoal. It wasn’t long before she began working in the studio after school, and this is where she developed a true passion for painting. When she finished high school, she attended the Atlanta College of Art.
In 1993 Deena began working full time at the studio as a photo retoucher, where she went on to work with some of the largest companies in the world. Because of this, her natural ability to paint became enhanced with her daily exposure to color, lighting and illustration. Fulfilling the requests of her clients and their vision, Deena soon learned that painting wasn’t just a hobby, painting had become the method in which she soothed her soul and balanced everyday life.
In her unique style of painting, she hopes to evoke a wide range of emotions and intensity leaving the viewer lost in their own thoughts and perceptions.
When did you first begin creating art?
I first began creating art as a small child. Some of my earliest memories are of me drawing and creating art.
When did you first consider yourself to be an artist?
I feel like I always considered myself somewhat of an artist but when I started working at a commercial art studio, I felt I had become a professional artist.
Who or what influences your practice?
My father was an artist and he was an influence when I was a child. He had a lot of Norman Rockwell and Lydecker books that I used to study. As I got older Francesco Clemente and Andy Warhol were influences. With social media there are so many great artists that I find to be very influential.
Tell us about a specific moment in your career that you would consider a turning point.
I think the turning point for me was when I discovered oil paint. I fell in love with the way oils blend and it allowed me to expand my style of painting.
Where would you like to see your artwork go in the future?
In the future I hope to keep expanding my vision and developing my style. Hopefully my work will influence other artists.
