Rising Stars: Meet Debra Jason

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Debra Jason.

Hi Debra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

What do a speech pathologist, copywriter, real estate agent, and artist have in common? Well, they all happen to be the same person – me!

I came to Boulder (from New York) to attend grad school at CU Boulder in 1976. Now, more than four decades later, Boulder continues to be my home. I did leave twice: once back to NY in the late 80s and then again in 2002 to the island of Kaua`i, HI.

As many professionals do, I changed careers several times. I graduated with a Master’s in Communication Disorders and was a Speech Pathologist in the public schools (Adams County District 14). However, after six years of study and a few years of practicing, I discovered this career wasn’t fueling my passion.

I went on to work in the wholesale end of the clothing industry and then, moved on to a catalog company in Boulder. After a couple of years in an administrative role, I realized that also wasn’t fueling my passion. I wanted to do something creative so I asked my boss if she’d let me write copy for the catalog’s products. That’s where I began to shift, expand and explore a more creative path.

I started my own copywriting business, The Write Direction, in 1989 after I moved back to Boulder from a short stint in New York. It was long before the Internet, so my focus was on writing marketing copy for direct mail pieces, brochures, catalogs, and other printed marketing collateral. Fast forward to the nineties and, as you might guess, while I still wrote marketing content for print, I started getting requests for keyword-enhanced content for websites.

Fast forward once again to 2002 when I moved to the island of Kaua`i full time (I’d been going back and forth for 5 1/2 years). In addition to my copywriting business, I launched a career as a real estate agent there. It was a crazy idea, but it worked for me.

As a copywriter I was focused on finding the right words to market a client’s product/program/service. As a real estate agent, my goal was to find the right buyers for my seller clients and find the right fit of a great home for my buyer clients. It’s a wonderful feeling when a client tells you how happy they are and thanks you for a job well done.

Did your career transitions end or continue on from there?

My career transitions did not end there. In 2012, I returned to Boulder from Kaua`i (ever heard of “Niwot’s Curse?”) and, as always, continued my copywriting business. However, I had always used speaking as a way to not only help others, but to promote my business. Therefore, I began seeking more opportunities to speak, sharing marketing, copywriting, and tips on LinkedIn®. And, I wrote an award-winning book titled, “Millionaire Marketing on a Shoestring Budget™.”

As if all that wasn’t enough, around 2017 a colleague posted a photo of a beautiful painting and I inquired about the medium she was using. That’s when I was introduced to the world of alcohol ink painting. I experimented with the medium and when the pandemic hit, instead of being on a computer all the time, I turned to painting with alcohol inks.

When someone asked if they could purchase my artwork, a new business was born – Creative Whispers of the Heart. The funny thing is that in college, I started out as a Fine Arts major and switched. In my mind, I was (and continue to be) an abstract artist. Therefore, if I got into art class and they asked me to draw a portrait, landscape, or still life, I thought I’d be unable to do so (a little “imposter syndrome” there perhaps).

I guess the inner artist kept tugging at my heartstrings and while I still do copywriting and speaking on occasion, my focus has been on painting with alcohol inks. It’s been a wild ride and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me along this creative journey called life.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

As an artist, I specialize in painting with alcohol inks. The inks are a vibrant and flowing medium that allow me to create beautiful abstract pieces.

I think I’m known for my abstract florals and ocean-inspired pieces. Having lived on Kaua`i for ten years, the ocean often serves as my inspiration as do flowers and nature. For instance, after my first visit to Grand Teton National Park, I returned home and painted “Monte the Moose” and “BooBoo the Love Bear.”

When a friend suggested I paint a buffalo (I live in Boulder, where the CU Buffs play), I created “Bentley the Buffalo,” Another friend reached out asking if I could paint a tree frog. That’s when I created “Finn the Tree Frog.” Then, yet another asked if I could paint a pelican, so I created “Pelican Pete.”

Even though I painted abstract versions of each, these pieces showed me that I could step outside my comfort zone and do something different and unexpected. However, there are many times when I just play with the inks and see where they lead me. Alcohol inks have a mind of their own so no two pieces are exactly alike.

When a New York City interior designer reached out to me saying one of her clients loved a painting on mine called “Swirling,” and she wanted that exact piece, I was thrilled. However, the original of “Swirling” was small, and her client wanted it at 44″ x 44.” I worked closely with them to have the painting reproduced in a larger size and everyone was happy.

It warms my heart when people reach out to me to share how my art brings them joy as that is my objective as an artist. I want my work to not only speak to them but to touch their hearts and inspire them. This quote from Elsie de Wolfe resonates with and inspires me: “I am going to make everything around me beautiful—that will be my life.”

I was honored to receive Honorable Mention for my painting, “Whispering Silver Tides”, in an abstract competition hosted by “Art and Color 365” Magazine. Another piece, “Winter Wonderland” also received Honorable Mention in an online contest hosted by Fine Art America.

Most recently, several of my alcohol ink paintings were in an exhibit at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA). From June through October 2024, my artwork will be included in a juried exhibit at The New Local Gallery in Boulder. My paintings have also been on display at Boulder’s Open Studios Gallery Downtown (formerly R Gallery), The Great Frame Up Art Gallery (in Longmont), The Danish Furniture Store, and more.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The silver lining of the pandemic is that it is what sparked my artistic journey on a bigger level. I had been introduced to alcohol inks prior to the pandemic. However, when stay-at-home orders were put into place, it inspired me to get off of my computer (as a copywriter, I am on my laptop a lot) and do something away from that screen.

When I posted some of the images online, not only did I receive a ton of positive, encouraging feedback, but someone asked if they could purchase one of my paintings. That’s when I took it a step further and looked into turning the paintings into earrings, note cards, and journals. Hence, Creative Whispers of the Heart was born.

Now, in addition to original paintings, I hand-paint silk scarves, holiday ornaments, and pendants. I also use print-on-demand services to create items such as canvas prints, throw pillows, cell phone covers, tote bags, and more.

Last, but not least, I am a contributing instructor for the online Spring Conference of Art, hosted by the Alcohol Ink Art Community in May. I’ve also been able to combine my love of art with my love of speaking by delivering in-person alcohol ink art workshops at The New Local in Boulder and the Superior Community Center. And, I’m currently in conversations with Oceania Cruises (Norwegian Cruise Lines) and Canyon Ranch Tucson about presenting workshops as an Artist-in-Residence for them. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

The lesson in all this? It’s never too late to explore something new. You just don’t know where it will lead you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://CreativeWhispersoftheHeart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativewhispersoftheheart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativewhispersoftheheart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrajason/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DebraAJason
• Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/creativewhisper/shop?asc=u

Image Credits
©2024 Debra Jason