Debbie was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina, and except for two years of her life, she has lived, played, and worked somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Since early childhood, she has found peace, strength, and joy in the woods, by creeks, and on mountaintops.

She has also loved to draw and paint since childhood. Much of her inspiration and encouragement in art came from her parents—her father would draw pictures for her and share his grown-up art supplies, while her mother helped keep alive her sense of imagination, creativity, and play. As she grew up, Debbie kept journals full of drawings and writings. She studied art at Mars Hill College and graduated cum laude in 1980 with a B.A. in Studio Art and Art History.

After graduating, she worked at various craft shops, a library, and as an arts and crafts instructor for children. She began screen printing full-time in 1986 and became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. She has also studied at Penland School of Crafts and John C. Campbell Folk School. Her work is primarily sold in galleries and craft shops throughout the southeastern U.S.

Debbie feels blessed and grateful to make her living by creating pictures of the beautiful mountains surrounding her and the whimsical fantasies that dance through her imagination. She lives with her husband, Buzz Coren, a woodcrafter who makes wood bowls, vessels, and Featherwood jewelry. Together, they make their home in view of the Black Mountain Range in Yancey County, near Burnsville, NC.

View Debbie’s Craft Shop Items