An excerpt of an interview of Deborah Argyropoulos, oil painter, by Mel. Edwards for Votre Vray Creative Women project
Some of us know from an early age what we want to do for the rest of our lives, but those who love us often work hard at diverting our passions to make sure that we’ll be provided for in all social and economic climes. Deborah’s parents were no different. She knew from age 4, with a drawing of a horse, what her truth was. She was a visual artist but her folks made her go to a four year college. “They were worried for me,” she explains.
When asked if she’s do anything else for a living, she admitted that although art is her passion, she is also interested in health, fitness, yoga and nutrition. Her bottom line is that she has no interest in working for someone else’s business.
At age 39, she’s already thinking about her legacy. Her Big Dream? “Make a bunch of money and have a farm for animal rescue. Then leave something behind that will outlast me.”
To me, Deborah sounds similar to several artists: passion and altruism, first, and money enough to live on but not a life of excess, second. “Money is the hard part. I am kind of a pimp when it comes to selling my work. There is only one piece I’ve ever made that I won’t sell, but everything else is up for grabs.” When asked what the one piece is, she gushed, “A painting of my cat. That’s the one.”
Deborah is also quick to add that the work she sells she refuses to give away. “People don’t value or respect what we do. We should be paid more (than most think) because there is no formula. We need to show them, teach them, to respect the artistic process. Invite them into the studio and hand them a brush and say, ‘Go ahead. Paint,’ and then they’ll know.” She also admits making a living and being a success as an artist is an imbalanced system. “Just because you’re good doesn’t mean you can make money. But I’d kill myself (if I tried) to work for somebody else. There is no point in living if it means nothing to you.”
Although non-artists and people who haven’t found their truth may find Deborah’s statement to be grim, it is one that has come up continually through the Votre Vray project. Many women agree to do “it” (meaning your truth/passion) without concern of others’ opinions, guarantee of income or censorship of your spirit. I asked Deborah if her parents have come around, she said, “Yeah. Dad got a painting I just did called ‘Sisters’ of my nieces for Father’s Day. He was so overcome with emotion that he cried. I was a bit in his face and said, ‘Now? Now can I be an artist?’” Evidently, he considered it a rhetorical question, and so do I. Deborah Argyropoulos IS an artist, through and through.
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Deborah Argyropoulos can be reached at: dmcart@mac.com
She would also like you to know that the above image is of "Sisters" and measures 36" x 48" and took about 140 hrs to paint.
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