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

Hi Debra, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I am a professional artist now…the big word is NOW. I have made a lot of choices to balance life and get where I am today. First, I was a wife and mom at home with small children which took most of my time. It’s a balancing act just managing home, children’s activities and life in general. Add a divorce and the equation became completely off balance, like a teeter totter. Being a single mom was tough, trying to be there for the kids school and working, leaving me with no room to balance anything…just fill the minutes however I could. My only choice was to find a job that I could have evenings and weekends for my home life. That decision helped me to balance my life for many years to come. I was able to advance in my career, handle my commitments at home and manage to work on my art in the evenings and on weekends. Like many artists, I have support in my second husband and best friend who encouraged me to quit my job of 13 years to stay home and work as a professional artist. Life has changed as time has gone by and I am still balancing home, family and art. I find myself at retirement age for most, continuing to expand my skills as a professional artist and grow my business. Harmony and peace in my life as an artist has only been achieved through timely choices of how to balance priorities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have painted in watercolor, pastels and oils. Each medium has helped with the others. I now paint mostly in Oils and love painting the landscape. I live north of the city and when I began painting there was no instruction in our area so I began reading books to learn how to paint. I couldn’t afford classes, so my books became my instructors. I began in watercolor thinking it would be easier, but it was a most difficult medium. I decided I wanted to use my hands more and began painting in pastels. At that time I was able to take classes in Atlanta after work in pastel with Margaret Dyer doing the figure and loved it. I became president of Southeastern Pastel Society where I met so many pastellists and began to grow in the art community. I moved on to oils with classes after work with Marc Chatov. I still wanted to paint in oils but wanted to take them outside. I began to paint landscapes plein air and found my love. I paint from life plein air when possible and take that knowledge into the studio to work on larger landscapes. I want viewers to take the feel and atmosphere of a place with them as they view my paintings. I am proud to have been able to become a signature member of American Society of Marine Artists, American Impressionist Society and Southeastern Pastel Society in recent years.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Most of my best friends are artists, so I would take them to the Botanical Gardens to paint. Street scenes in Virginia Highlands are great. I would take them to the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, GA. Miami circle has several great Galleries and that would be a fun day with lunch at Eclipse di Luna. The High Museum would be a great stop. Whitewater Creek is a great place to paint. Living north of the city has its own places to visit, Dahlonega, GA in the mountains is a great little town with a wonderful Greek Restaurant Capers – downtown on the Square. Here in Dawsonville, there is the Blue Bicycle Restaurant…great food. The mountains are always a draw and there are several winerys to visit with beautiful views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Marc Chatov Oil Painting Instructor, Margaret Dyer Pastel Painting Instructor, Chastain Art Center for a great place to teach. Southeastern Pastel Society for many friends and connections, Frameworks Gallery in Marietta for Gallery Representation, Wells Gallery at Kiawah Island SC for Gallery Representation. Many supporters and students who encourage me to keep working and become a better artist.

Website: debranadelhoffer.com
Instagram: debranadelhoffer
Facebook: debra nadelhoffer