Debbie Foglia Discusses North Fork Beauty & Summer Shows

This week, artist Debbie Foglia brings us her first Dan’s North Fork cover and talks about her love of painting the region, her piece “Sunchaser” winning the Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce Poster Contest and her many shows coming up now through the fall.

A Conversation with Debbie Foglia

Tell me about this painting, “Sunchaser.” Your use of the puddles (leftover from what could be flooding on Dune Road?) is quite arresting, how it reflects the light and the scenery along the edges of the road.

I often travel this route from Hampton Bays to Westhampton when the sun is setting instead of taking the main roads home. I love driving towards a sunset to enjoy the beauty of the changing sky and to watch how the shifting colors change the hue of the dunes, clouds, sand, shadows, puddles and just about everything in its path. The reflections of the sunset in water are mesmerizing. My high school friend, Pam Sofarelli, posted a spectacular photograph that captured what I see when I travel home at sunset on that stretch of Dune Road that was recently flooded. I was so mesmerized by her capture that I asked if I could use it as a reference photo. She graciously gave me her blessing. It was a process to translate my interpretation. I spent a few days taking in more observations and photos of the dunes and making notes.

After a few sunset drives and many brushstrokes later, and a whole bunch of paint, I finished “Sunchaser.” I struggled a bit with deciding the horizon line, and in the end I am very happy how it all came together.

I know this won this year’s Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce Poster Contest. How exciting! Can you talk a bit about that?

It is such an honor to have “Sunchaser” chosen to for this year’s poster. I have lived and worked in the Westhampton community since 1990 and always enjoyed seeing the Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce posters featuring local artists’ paintings. I have always admired Liz Duerschmidt’s, Fay Mack’s and Dewy Taylor’s artwork and really feel so proud to be following in their footsteps on my art journey. They are all such an inspiration. As a real estate agent, I often saw the framed Chamber of Commerce posters in the most beautiful homes, and I am so excited at the possibility of my painting now gracing the walls of local homes. It truly is an honor to have my art chosen by the community. The sale of the posters raises money to support scholarships for local students. The posters will be available for sale at the Greater Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Westhampton Farmers Market and other local events. Follow my instagram for more information @debbiefogliadesigns.

You have painted across a wide swath of the East End, including Montauk all the way to Westhampton Beach. Tell me about painting on the North Fork?

I love painting North Fork landscapes, seascapes and farm life scenery. I have several paintings available of the beautiful waterways and marshes along New Suffolk Avenue. I have also painted the iconic “Crab Shack” in Orient and  “White Barn” in Laurel. I have been stockpiling photos of North Fork farms for future painting ideas as of late. I am looking forward to doing a series of oyster farming life paintings inspired by my cousin Megan’s “Yennicott Oysters” of Southold. She works tirelessly harvesting and growing oysters. She is an incredible steward of the bays.

What attracts you to a place to paint?

I am attracted to places that bring me peace and a chance to slow down. I find inspiration in nature and my travels. Life can be so busy that we often miss the magical moments of sitting and taking in the beauty around us. You can often find me making U-turns to capture a moment on my camera when the sun, clouds, shadows are “just” right. Chasing beautiful sunsets and skies are one of my favorite activities. I truly believe U-turns can really change your life for the better.

What is your process? Do you work from photographs or en plein air? Or both? Or neither?

I love working en plein air and in my studio from photographs. Plein air painting is where I first started oil painting in my younger years. I was blessed to have had Joe Reboli as my first oil painting teacher. He taught me so much and gave me a strong foundation to start my journey as an artist.

Do you have any shows or projects on view or in the works?

I have an ambitious show schedule lined up the next few months: Westhampton Beach Memorial Day Art Show – May 24– 25; Watermill Museum Member’s Show May 22–June 8; Remsenburg Academy Show June 20– 29; Westhampton Beach Library Solo Show July 1–31; Southampton “ Art in the Park” July 19–20; Mary O. Fritchie Art Show, Westhampton Beach August 2–3; Gallery North September 20–21. My full schedule will be posted on my website and social media as I firm up future dates.

Where can people find your work online or in-person?

Original artwork, Giclee reproductions, gift items and notecards can be viewed at my shop in Eastport, Island Bead & Trading Co. at 26 Eastport Manor Road, Homeport in Montauk, Old Orchard Farm Store in Orient, Olish Farm Stand in Eastport, and the Reboli Center in Stony Brook.

You can also visit my website debbiefoglia.com, or follow @debbiefogliadesigns on Instagram.