A long time resident of British Columbia, Debra loves being surrounded by the mountains, woodlands and the coast. It is this love of the West Coast that has inspired her as a landscape painter. Over the past few years, her ongoing exposure to art and painting has given her the gift of seeing the world in a different way. Everyday scenes, experiences and objects are full of light, colour, design and texture. It is this gift of seeing the beauty and color in our everyday life that she strives to share with others through her art. Debra’s work has included still life and florals however as Whistler is her home, most of her artwork features Whistler landscapes.

The exhibition MY WHISTLER, MY HOME is a collection of Debra’s most recent works, with most of the pieces portraying what she likes to call “wilderness accessible by the ordinary person”. These include images of wonderful spots, not accessible by car, but easily accessible by foot, kayak, canoe or skis.

Debra MacArthur was born in London Ontario. She grew up in London, spending all of her summers at the family cottage on Lake Huron .

In 1976, a short visit to Prince Rupert turned into a love affair with British Columbia and after a one year stay she decided to make BC her home. Debra lived and worked in the Vancouver area from 1978 – 1993 and like many others who spent weekends in Whistler, she eventually made Whistler her permanent home.

Debra is an Active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Her art training has included numerous workshops offered through the Vancouver Academy of Art and the Federation of Canadian Artists with some of B.C.’s most well known and respected artists including Robert Genn, Kiff Holland, David Langevin, Suzanne Northcott, Michael OToole, Janice Robertson, Mike Svob, and Alan Wylie.

Debra currently resides and works out of her home studio in Whistler, British Columbia. She is a member of the Whistler Arts Council. She does work in both Watercolour and Acrylics.

Artist Statement

I paint what I love - the trees, mountains, water, sunsets and sunrise. I am constantly amazed that nature and a sense of the unspoiled beauty of West Coast, can be experienced and enjoyed with relatively little effort. Living in Whistler, these experiences are part of my daily life – it just takes a little “off the beaten track” exploring. I am surrounded by what I like to call “accessible wilderness for the ordinary person”. I am inspired by the gratitude I feel because my lifestyle and where I live, affords me the opportunity for many wonderful outdoor experiences. Every day that I get out and enjoy the natural beauty which is so close and accessible, I find myself thinking how privileged I am to be here.

It is my hope that through my art, I can succeed in giving the viewer an appreciation for the Whistler lifestyle. I hope that my work reminds those of us who live in Whistler of how beautiful our “backyard” is and I hope that it reminds our visitors of the wonderful things they saw and experienced while visiting us here in Whistler.