I feel so lucky to have met Debbie, she is as sweet, kind and generous as she is talented!
Her photos will make you want to get right on a plane and visit the places she has been. Meet Debbie!!
Business: Petite Pastiche Photography
Social Media: Facebook- Debbie Walker Durnwald
Twitter-
dwdurnwald
Pinterest-
Debbie Durnwald
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DEBBIEDURNWALD
website: etsy.com/shop/petitepastiche
Location: Alpharetta, Georgia USA
Debbie, tell us how all this wonderfulness began!
Although I took a photography class in college, at the University of
Georgia, I am mainly a self-taught photographer. I have always loved
photography, but I became seriously interested in pursuing it after a trip to
Paris, France in 2004 and 2005. When I returned home from my trips,I would
sit for hours editing the many photographs I had taken. I found that each
photo would bring back a flood of memories from the trip and that alone was
worth every crazy angle I positioned myself in, in order to get the best shot.
I then put my favorite images on a bulletin board in my home and was
surprised when people would comment on the "beautiful postcards".
It was at that moment, when I thought it might be possible to sell my
photography. As a longtime Etsy buyer, I thought that Etsy would be a
good venue, in which to try it out. I started the business in October of
2012 and since then, I have met the most incredible people through this
process. Every day I get to interact with so many talented artisans from
all over the world. I am on Etsy teams with artists I greatly admire,
like Sue and my customers are treasures that have come from many different
parts of the world. I have been fortunate to have so far sold my art in
the U.S., Canada, Israel, Ireland and France.
Corresponding with these customers has given me so much joy.
It is such a pleasure when someone tells me that they are buying my art
for a wedding gift or as a special gift for someone who has overcome a serious
illness. It also makes me happy when someone purchases my photography as
their special art selection for a main room in their home, or purchases a piece
that reminds them of their travels with a loved one or family. To know that
what I do, can make someone happy makes it all worthwhile.
Before I was able to travel extensively, I loved looking at
photographs from various parts of the world. Now, I feel like I can bring
that same enjoyment to others through my photographs and it is such a rewarding
feeling. When someone tells me that they look at my photography as a means
of a happy escape, or as an armchair traveler, I couldn't be more excited. Just
to know that something that I do, can make someone feel that way, makes my day.
Above all else, this is what motivates me.
My only regret is that I did not take photography seriously at an
earlier date. I so envy someone who senses their passion at a young age.
Thinking back on the interesting places that I have been and seen, it
makes me sad that I didn't take the opportunity to capture those images when I
could. As a matter of fact, I was in London once at the Trooping Of The
Colors Ceremony, when I literally stood about 10 feet away from the Queen
Mother and Princess Diana. I was on cloud 9 thinking that I had captured
a great photo of the pair, only to find out that the camera had no film.
Oh well, you win some and you loose some.
My process is that I take pictures anytime I travel. I also
like to go to various places near my home to take photos, as well. I am
probably the most relaxed and happy when I know that I have terrific places to
shoot. After a day of shooting, I can't wait to load my pictures onto the
computer so I can see the images enlarged. Seeing a photograph come
alive, whether on the computer or in a darkroom, has always fascinated me.
How did you come up with the name of your business?
I chose the name Petite Pastiche mainly because I am a Francophile
and I really wanted to use a French name. I liked the word pastiche,
because it simply means some of this or that. It can also be interpreted
as imitating another's art, and that is what I do. I capture beautiful
scenes that have been made by God or man. As for petite, well, I
take photographs of a "little" of "this and that" and it is
usually of "something that someone else has created", whether it be
nature, architecture, gardens, etc. Anyway, it just made since to me. :)
Who would be an artist you would most like to have dinner with?
Vincent Van
Gogh. Although, my favorite artist is Paul Cezanne, I have read that he
was grumpy, so no dinner for him. Instead, I would like to sit down and
tell Vincent Van Gogh's tortured soul, that he indeed became one of the most
famous, popular and well respected artists of all time. It pains me when
artists die without knowing how much their art affected other people and how
well loved they became.
Have you read any books that changed your life?
The Untethered Soul by Michael A.
Singer. I have a tendency to be too empathetic at times, especially to
those I hold close. In other words, if my loved one was unhappy, I was
unhappy. This book showed me what a destructive and meaningless waste of
life that is. It helped me to try to give up trying to control every
situation and basically to "let go and let God." I highly recommend
it.
I do like to paint in both oils and
watercolors and I was an interior designer for 8 years.
What are you currently working on?
I just got back from a trip to Seattle
with my husband and I am currently editing the photographs from the trip.
I try to leave my photographs as natural as possible, but sometimes
angles need to be tweeted and cropping needs to be done. I've also had
several people suggest a showing of my photographs at a gallery, but I haven't
had time to pursue that path. It would be wonderful though. Also, my
dream would be to have my work published in a book.
2 comments:
Love Debbie's photos! Great interview =D
Love Debbie! She sees beauty in everything and everyone!
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