Xocha Woman with Pipe Photograph

Arriving to Arizona and capturing the Southwest on celluloid began as a pursuit for Deborah in 1977. As a photographer, she considered herself a traditionalist or a “purist” at heart, however, she also enjoyed experimenting with alternative processes. Vintage black & white, sepia toned, colored tintypes or hand colored images always set her heart racing. Primarily self-taught, Deborah’s photographic work is historical, candid, spiritual and comical, at times. It reflects the culture and the history of a region, projecting a theme of global significance and beauty that conveys a blend of harmonious celebration and tradition. Elements such as lighting, patterns of shadow, vivid colors and tonal ranges are captured in her images. With a combined educational background in Sociology, Anthropology, International Relations and Art Therapy, Deborah attempts to capture the changing worlds of people & places throughout a window in time. Her work has been exhibited throughout Arizona since the early 80’s and publications include various magazines such as Native Peoples. In 2013, she transitioned into the digital realm and is currently working on a photography book from her recent journey through South Africa, which will include personal accounts from her journal.