Jessica Burtnick

Multimedia Journalist

At first glance, mother of two and kindergarten teacher Debora Klics may appear to be just another mom with a full time job.

But upon stepping into her home, it becomes apparent that she is also a locally inspired artist. Primarily, she paints acrylic landscapes and creates abstract, mixed media collages, although she has also made some pottery pieces.

"When I'm painting, I'm in the moment," said Klics, among the art-adorned walls and shelves of her home. "I like to paint scenes where you could have a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and sit and relax."

She especially enjoys "plein air" painting of local landscapes, and has painted scenes from Kinsmen Park in Strathmore, Bowness Park in Calgary, and Big Hill Springs Provincial Park near Airdrie.

She has also recreated sights seen during her drive home from Standard, where she works.

Many of her paintings begin with a single photograph. Klics then recreates the basic elements and colours of the photograph in her own living room, but with a twist.

"I put a kind of spin on it, or the composition the way I think it should be," she said. "I'm not doing photo realism, that's just not me. It's that quiet, peaceful scene I am trying to depict."

Klics said her artwork is an ongoing process, and that it takes about six to eight hours of painting over the course of her evenings and weekends to complete each piece.

"I can look at one in the basement, even when it's finished, and think, 'I have to change that'," she said.

But she said she has learned to use those feelings to improve on subsequent pieces.

"You put so much work into it and emotion. I have to hang on to them for a bit before I let them go.

"But you've just got to let go," Klics said.

Her work has shown at Wheatland Society of the Arts' events and Heritage Days shows, as well as her first solo show at the Strathmore Municipal Library last March, where she sold her first piece.

"I'm just starting to get out there and be seen," said Klics.

"It's more a creative outlet for me. If I don't sell anything, it's ok."

Klics' interest in art began in the fourth grade.

She took art classes through junior and senior high school, and graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Education degree and an arts' major in 1991.

She has been a member of the Wheatland Society of Arts since 1994, and currently teaches kindergarten in Standard.

Her framed artwork is priced at $100-325 apiece, and usually ranges in size from 9-by-12- to 24-by-28-inches.

For more information, Klics can be reached by email at dklics@telus.net.