Here's a little catch up to what I am doing lately. I have been super busy getting ready for my my next SFEtsy art fair which is happening this Sunday, May 22nd at All Good Pizza in San Francisco.

Here are my latest Literary Portraits:

Say Hello to Ms. Gertrude Stein!

Gertrude has always been one of my literary heroes. Her writing about Paris is the early 1900's is incredible. It seems like you are right there in the thick of things. Who wouldn't want to live in that world filled with artists and writers? My favorite book is "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas", written in the point of view of her love, Alice.

To me she is a visionary, anactivist and a woman with a hell of a sense of humor.

Debra Styer, A Stein is a Stein is a Stein is a Stein, 2016

Gertrude Art Print

“It takes a lot of time to be a genius. You have to sit around so much, doing nothing, really doing nothing.”

―

Gertrude Stein

Carl Van Vechten,

Portrait of Gertrude Stein,

1934

Limited Edition Gertrude Stein art print available in the shop!

Here's a peek of the drawings of Gertrude and Nathaniel!

And now presenting...Mr. Nathaniel Hawthorne!

As a New Englander, Hawthorne is in my blood. I remember visiting the House of the Seven Gables in Salem Massachusetts as a kid and I was fascinated. Hawthorne is best know for writing the novel, "The Scarlett Letter", a scathing look at life, love and religion in the Massachusetts. His work is known to be Dark Romantic. I am currently reading, "The Whole History of Grandfather's Chair" (written in 1840), which is a surprisingly funny and truly satisfies the history nerd in me.

Debra Styer,

The House of the Seven Hawthornes

, 2016

Nathaniel Hawthorn Portrait Framed

“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

―

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorn Art Print

Nathaniel Hawthorne by Brady c. 1860

Limited Edition Nathaniel Hawthorne Art Print available in my Shop!

Right now I am working on a portrait of the wonderful writer Dorothy Parker, I will post her as soon as I can.

After that, who should I paint next?

As you all know, I am a huge fan of vintage photography. I fell upon these lovelies in the George Eastman galleries on Flickr. Imagine yourself walking down these streets. They are so beautiful. The photographer, Eugene Atget captures Paris brilliantly. I want to visit each and every shop and buy everything there and walk around to all the restaurants smell all the food cooking around me. The sights and grittiness of these pictures have me yearning for this world. It love the pealing paint and all the amazing detail on even the smallest of things.

I also love the silence in the photographs. There is no movement or people, just quiet. It makes me want to take a bunch of Sepia photos like this around my fair city. Maybe that will be my task for next week. Have a happy weekend in your city, everyone.