Debra Lynn Wallace Paintings
Creativity for Positive Affirmation.
About the "The Neighborhood Series" Paintings
The Neighborhood series currently consists of twelve paintings that were inspired by my memories of the architecture and horticulture of the neighborhoods of Mt. Airy and Germantown in Philadelphia, PA. The architecture is varied, as are the people. This series is a tribute; a celebration of community. There is one character in several of the paintings who is the personification of one of the elders in the community. He is the one wearing the straw hat and gray pants. He is the one carrying the cane. I imagine the cane is not really used as much for walking, but for emphasizing the respect that is given him by the adults of the community and encourages the combination of the fear-born respect felt by the children of the community. He is the figurehead that cements the standards of the community. He appears in the paintings "Saturday Afternoon", "In The Neighborhood", "Rendez-View (Daytime Passing)", "The Gathering", "Next Door Neighbors", and "Family Reunion".
Each painting is a story on its own. Three paintings are shown on the home page, two on the "About the Artist" page....Scroll down to view more of the Neighborhood Series paintings.
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"In The Neighborhood"
Neighborhood Series No. 3.
Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36".
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"The Wedding"
Neighborhood Series No. 4.
Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36".
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"Family Reunion"
Neighborhood Series No. 6.
Acrylic on canvas. 22" x 28".
(Private Collection)
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"The Gathering"
Nieghborhood Series No. 7.
Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36".
Third Place, Willingboro Arts Alliance 12th Annual Open Juried Exhibition , 2007
" Seasons Celebrations"
Neighborhood Series No. 8.
Acrylic on canvas. 24" x 36.
The inspiration for this painting derives from festival celebrations at Lotus Academy held during the lunar season changes. Lotus Academy is a grade school in Philadelphia, PA. This is how I envisioned the neighborhood version of the celebration. The festivals at Lotus Academy are called Season Celebrations and would feature performances by the students, staff, African dancers and musicians, stilt walkers, and two masquerading teachers as the new season ushering out the old season. Parents and staff would bring delicious food for all to share. The school celebration derives from similar traditional, but more elaborate, season celebrations held in some countries in Africa.
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"Next Door Neighbors"
Neighborhood Series No. 11.
Acrylic on canvas. 36" x 24".
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**Neighborhood Series No. 12 was completed this year. An image of this painting is not available at this time. This painting is the only one of this series which was painted with oils on canvas. It is 10" x 12". It is titled "Rendez-View, 2", and is part of a private collection.
