Meet Deborah Kruger | Environmental Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Kruger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As an artist, risk is a constant companion. In order to keep our creative work advancing, we need to learn to take risks and embrace whatever journey they lead us on. From my perspective, there really is no such thing as failure. If I take a risk that doesn’t pan out, there are ALWAYS lessons to be learned. Also, I think that the willingness to take risks is like a muscle. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Most of us like to stay in our comfort zone, but that is not where growth lies. Risk-taking is the doorway we must go through in order to grow and evolve. I think that this applies to both art-making and business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I describe myself as an environmental artist. The content and form of my work reflect my passion for raising awareness about protecting our fragile planet. Since my central concern is the plight of endangered birds, I make all of my art with feathers. What is unique about my work, is that I fabricate my feathers from a complex process that includes hand screen-printing, hand and machine sewing, cutting, wrapping and weaving. The feathers themselves are made from recycled plastic. Using recycled materials addresses the relentless consumption and human-induced climate change that is driving the loss of bird and human habitat. I have thus been able to use my prior experience and training in textile design in the service of broad ecological concerns.

Now that I can devote myself to full-time studio work, my artwork and opportunities have grown exponentially. I exhibit my work internationally and have a team-based studio to help me create monumental environmental art that I exhibit in museums, galleries and in corporate environments. I approach my art as I approached my job in the business world: I am extremely disciplined and start work at the same time every day. I put in at least 50 hours a week. I exercise daily to keep up my strength and health. I don’t complain and I take time to be grateful every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I am more drawn to having fun in nature, rather than in the city, I would invite my friend to go on various paths along the Eno River or hiking on nearby mountains or state parks. I would plan to stop at a cute cafe for lunch. And since there are SO many great museums and galleries in my area, we would definitely see art! The Nasher Museum in Durham, NC has a terrific museum cafe and just down the street are the Duke Gardens, where we would see beautiful trees, gardens, a bamboo forest, and attend a Japanese tea ceremony. Since Durham is a college town, there are many cafes that compete for the best coffee and crumpets.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could shine a light on several people, but today I will focus on my long time mentor, Miriam Kellogg Fredenthal. Miriam was my weaving professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, where I studied textile design. She remained my mentor for the next 40 years until her death at 98 1/2. Since I didn’t grow up in a family of artists, Miriam normalized art as a worthy pursuit and lifestyle. She influenced me to invest in myself and to believe in myself. Whenever I expand my studio, rent a storage unit, purchase an important piece of equipment, I send up a prayer of thanks to Miriam. She set a lifelong example of putting art front and center and spending money to support the growth of my artwork and studio. I was very lucky to have a mentor like her for so many years of my life.

Website: https://deborahkruger.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahkrugerstudios/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkruger53

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborahkrugerartist

Youtube: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkruger53

Other: My merchandise website: https://deborahkrugerdesigns.com/

Image Credits
Carlos Diaz Corona