The art produced by Debra Hunter is heavily inspired by nature. Gardens, hikes, a paddle or  snowshoe all supply new themes to explore. Debra works primarily in three different disciplines: painting, photography and fibre art. Often one discipline will inspire another.

Personal photography projects concentrate on landscape and macro photography of the natural world. Looking at the world close up, in different lighting, and in weather both foul and fair, creates a different view of the everyday world  and allows one to see the beauty in the details that are so easily missed through the course of our busy daily lives.

Painting follows a theme of vignettes of nature. Looking at select segments of nature allows one to see nature in a very extraordinary way. The subject matter explored includes plants, flowers, forests, rural areas and  gardens. Pattern, color and textures are visual elements explored throughout the paintings.

Fibre art  focuses heavily on using naturally dyed elements. The base materials are mainly cotton, silk and wool enhanced with natural dyes. The magic really starts with the dyeing the base materials with homegrown or gathered materials; it is amazing to dye fabric in a pot full of marigolds picked from a garden, to watch a plant give up its color to a piece of silk, and then turn the dyed fabric into a piece of art. The process is as interesting as the finished piece. In addition to using dye baths to color the fabric,also employed are eco-dyeing techniques where fabrics are dyed through a contact method with leaves, flowers, and plant material. Patterns and textures are explored through the pieces with stitching and beading; playing with textures makes for a piece that not only wants to be looked at, but one that also wants to be touched.

Debra’s art, in all forms, is inspired by nature, yet explored through details, patterns, texture and color.