Deborah Ridgley (b.1955) is a graduate of The Art Academy of Cincinnati (BFA, 1978), whose fine arts program has a strong focus on traditional realism. In 1976, Deborah studied in France in the tradition of the old masters. She has continued her study of art with Michael Shane Neal (Nashville, TN), Dawn Whitelaw (Nashville,TN) Daniel Greene (New York, NY), and John Michael Carter (Louisville, KY).
" I am inspired each day by painting from the beauty of life. I love the variety of subject matter and capturing that moment with oil paintings. From portraiture and figurative works to plein air landscape painting and energetic still lifes, the combination of working form life as well as mastering different subjects and disciplines of art greatly contributes to a successful painting."
Deborah’s paintings have been featured in many private and public collections through out the country. She recently unveiled the official portrait of Michelle G. Schneider, State of Ohio, House of Representatives, 35th District. In 2007, 2008, and 2009 she has been selected to judge the 2nd Congressional Art Competition.
Since 1998, Deborah has been an alumni and founding member of the Portrait Society of America and attends the annual educational conferences and workshops throughout the country. Currently Deborah is an instructor at The Woman's Art Club of Cincinnati. The class " Painting from Life" is for teens and adults, group and private lessons. The WACC was founded in 1892, is proud to be the oldest existing Woman's Art Club operating without interruption in the United States.
Deborah is now accepting both private and corporate commissions for portraiture, figurative works, landscapes and still lifes. She resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and two daughters.
Public Collections
Bethesda Hospital Breast Center, Cincinnati, OH, Permanent Collection, 2009
The White House, Washington, DC, Permanent Collection, 2005
Groups and Organization
Portrait Society of America
Oil Painters of America
Woman's Art Club Cultrual Center of Cincinnati
Southwest Ohio Plein Air Painters
American Impressionist Society
Art Academy of Cincinnati ( Alumnus)
Museums, Galleries, Exhibitions and Publications
American Art Collector Magazine, Figurative Special, December 2009
Solo Show, " Discovering Peaceful Places", Womans Art Club Gallery, October 2009
Fusion Gallery, Bellvue, Ky, currently represented
116th Annual WACC Exhibition, Finalist, 2009
115th Annual WACC Exhibition, Finalist 2008
Behringer-Crawford Museum, Art in the Park, 2007
ADA Brushes with Greatness, Featured artist, 2006
ADA Brushes with Greatness, Tutor artist, 2005
Sharonville 75th Annual Exhibit, 2005
112th Annual WACC Exhibition, Finalist, 2005
Evendale Fine Arts Exhibit, 2005
CAC Viewpoint Finalist, 2005
ADA Brushes with Greatness, 2004
SWOPAP Exhibition, 2004
Gorman Farm Exhibit, 2004
Behringer-Crawford Museum, Art in the Park, 2004
111th Annual WACC Exhibition, Finalist, 2004
CAC Viewpoint Finalist, 2003
