DURANGO, Colo. – Deborah Gorton, known locally as well as throughout the world for her alluring two- and three-dimensional mixed media collages, as well as the workshops that offer her techniques to others, has launched www.deborahgorton.com.

            An artist who creates images and provokes thought through “layers,” Gorton utilizes arguably every type of art material, found and manufactured item and more in her mixed media works. Often starting from a base of stretched canvas, Gorton layers to create texture and meaning.

            “I’ve realized that a big part of what pulls me to the work is my own process as a person,” said Gorton, a classically trained fine artist who spent many years as a focused fiber artist specifically because of the textures found in fiber. “I feel like that is how I live my life, peeling off layers, digging into my layers. I feel like that’s something that reflects me. It’s not just a technique. It’s something personal.”

            Gorton’s work ranges from the spiritual and those pieces with deeper meaning left for the viewer to interpret, to the more whimsical such as her a “dolls” or three-dimensional sculptures. A variety of these pieces are available for sale on the new web site.

            “Sometimes when I’m being quiet an idea just comes into my head,” said Gorton, who often draws inspiration from the natural environment that surrounds her Durango studio. “But I take inspiration from everything – even materials. A piece of metal, a postage stamp, art materials. I admit, I’m a collector and an art material junkie.”

            Gorton’s studio is filled with bins and drawers of papers, beads, trinkets, natural items and more – any item that may eventually express itself in one of her collages, or the collages of her students. When bringing her knowledge of mixed media to others through workshops, she offers her “treasures” for her students to include in their works as well.

            “Deborah is an excellent teacher,” said Sheri Amass, a former student. “We were just so amazed that she could explain the techniques so well. She took us through the process step by step and we were actually able to work on and create our own collages.”

            A listing of Gorton’s upcoming workshops is available on the new web site, though she will make arrangements for special sessions locally, or travel specifically to host sessions for various organizations or individuals as scheduling permits.

            “It is a whole lot of fun,” said Gorton of her work. “For many things that I do, there aren’t strict rules. You can break all the rules.”

            For further information, visit the web site, www.deborahgorton.com, or contact Gorton directly at 970.385.5212 or gorton@mydurango.net.

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