(Sha ba' la)
[Coast Salish]
The dry, protected place under the cedar.

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"He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." Saint Francis of Assisi

About the Artist

* The photo is Marcia Randall DeBard in front of her oil painting entitled "Spring Cathedral".

I have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil; it's an extension of my hand and of my thinking. As an elementary student my artwork was often selected for exhibition, and when I was asked, "How do you make it look like that?" I'd gather my friends together and show them.

I have taught professionally for over 20 years--preschool through adult, including Rutgers and Humboldt State Universities and six years as the Art Specialist at Poulsbo Elementary.

In the 1970's I had the great fortune to study with Josef Albers, which laid the foundation for my "spin" on color theory. In the 1990's I wrote a groundbreaking Master's thesis linking multiple intelligences, learning styles, and contemporary neurodevelopmental understandings with motivation.

Later, when I experienced a severe creative block in my painting, I began to make beaded gemstone jewelry. I found that playing with the colors and textures allowed me to go around the painting block. This led me to become a Certified Creativity Coach, helping others rekindle damaged, dormant, or undiscovered creativity. Everyone is an artist, although sometimes creativity has become less accessible due to fear or lack of use.

When I was struggling with a herniated disc, I rediscovered yoga, and was delighted to find that there are types of yoga which can be adapted to the individual, rather than forcing the individual into the traditional yoga "ideal". This led me to become a certified teacher of Radiant Health Yoga, which combines traditional yoga with current biokinetic and neurodevelopmental science so that truly every body/mind/spirit can enjoy the benefits of yoga.

My paintings, prints, cards, and jewelry can be seen at Art in the Woods studio tour and by appointment.

My affiliations include the NW Watercolor Society, Creativity Coaching Association, and the National Art Education Association.