Debbie Gillingham
Debbie Gillingham was born and raised in Somerset as part of a large family. Being the eldest she often amused herself by painting and drawing, although in those days it was felt tip pens and poster paints!
Living in a small village, I was surrounded by horses and ponies, which developed my fascination with the animal kingdom. Artistically, horses were my first subject, primarily as a way of fulfilling my dreams of having my own pony. After many years of riding other people’s ponies, my parents realised my dedication and bought me a pony.
After finishing school Debbie Gillingham went to the Somerset College of Art and Technology, where she completed a two-year course in Design and Clothing Manufacture. In 1990, having decided to pursue a career in equestrian art, she moved to Newmarket, Suffolk – this being the core of the country’s flat racing industry – it seemed the most obvious choice.
By day I worked as a stable hand, riding out and grooming the horses; by night I would paint them. I worked hard to gain as much reference and knowledge as I possibly could, which ultimately led to me taking on commissions.
After several years, I had the opportunity to move to Dubai, UAE, where the horse racing industry was rapidly expanding. It was at this point that I decided to concentrate on becoming a full-time artist and my career began to flourish with an increase in commissions and the popularity of my work in galleries. It was in Dubai that I found my Spaniel, Toby, who now lives with me in Somerset.
In 1997, after a long holiday in England, I decided to move back and fulfil my ultimate ambition of becoming a successful artist in my own country. In effect, my career started again, only painting dogs rather than horses. I spent as much time around them as I could, studying and painting them. I now have a rather new addition to my family, a Black Labrador named Friday, who along with Toby, is the inspiration for a lot of my work.
After a meeting with Glyn Washington in the year 2000, Debbie Gillingham joined Washington Green as a canine artist and has since had over 14 of her paintings published.
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Sale Limited EditionDebbie Gillingham
Daddy's GirlBy: Debbie Gillingham
Dimensions: 245x360 mmPrice:
RRP: £75.00
Sale Price: £50.00
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Sale Limited EditionDebbie Gillingham
House InvadersBy: Debbie Gillingham
Dimensions: 330x222 mmPrice:
RRP: £34.50
Sale Price: £20.00
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