Debbie Walker Mayfield
Artist’s Statement
“Art is communication. Sometimes it whispers; sometimes it shouts; but it must speak.
My work presents archetypal images of human emotional, and spiritual existence expressed through ordinary or abstract objects and symbols.
I hope my art will speak to you.”
— Debbie Walker Mayfield
Brief Biography
Mrs. Mayfield's journey to professional artist was destined yet not direct. Her original ambition was to work at Kay's Kastle Ice Cream Parlors like her grandmother had once done.
Currently Mayfield is exploring and enjoying painting in oils; however, her background in watercolor is extensive. She loves portrait work, but usually focuses on semi-abstract works. While completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Mayfield had the opportunity to study under renowned artist, George Cress.
For several years, Mrs. Mayfield served an informal apprenticeship under Chattanooga artist Vicki Daniel Hardee, owner of Studio II Art Center. While there, Mayfield developed her watercolor techniques and taught both adult and student art classes.
Tony Mines, owner of Art Creations, has been an invaluable resource for the artist. Hubert Shuptrine and his wife Phyllis, Dorothy Talmadge, Mary Zelle, Sandy Ross, and Nancy Fortune have also influenced and assisted Mrs. Mayfield.
Some detours along Mrs. Mayfield’s path include graduating at age twenty from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a B.S. in psychology; attending Texas Christian University on a full golf scholarship; and passing the Tennessee bar exam in 1983 after receiving a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Mrs. Mayfield has been married for twenty-three years to Jeff Mayfield. They have two daughters Dorie and Katie Mayfield and two godchildren Jessica and Justin Smith.
Mrs. Mayfield has taught art classes at CADAS, the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, in Chattanooga, Tennessee; and various Hamilton and Rutherford County schools. She is a member of AVA (Chattanooga’s Association for Visual Artists), the Tennessee Watercolor Society, and the Hunter Art Museum in Chattanooga, TN.
Mrs. Mayfield’s work is included in several corporate and private collections. Her works can be found in several middle Tennessee galleries.