My drawings and paintings are a letting-go, an unfolding, intuitive weaving together of thought, memory and visual impressions that crystalize a moment in time. They often use an accumulation of mismatched parts, recycled scraps and cut up leftovers that are arranged and rearranged into a new whole. Using a mix of media, a layering of materials and gesture, I find beauty in surprising relationships, often improvised or accidental- an exploration of what is concealed and revealed.
Deborah Newmark (b.1951, Chicago, IL) creates abstract, intuitive work using gesture, and mixed media. Her drawings and paintings are a letting go, an intuitive weaving together of thoughts, memories with visual impressions inspired by daily walks. A tangle of vines, a shadow of a flower, or a crack on the sidewalk may become elements of her abstracted imagery and visual language. Her practice embraces process, play, and experimentation, resulting in work that feels deeply personal while remaining open and universal—inviting viewers to find their own meanings and connections.
Selected Exhibitions include: In All Directions at Once, Works in Dialogue by Kelly McKaig and Deborah Newmark (2026) Beverly Arts Center Simmerling Gallery, Chicago. Entangled Expressions: Exploring the Labyrinth of Linearity, (2025) with Victoria Fuller and Spencer Gale at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago.; Liminal Space, (2024) a two-person show with Bethany Cordero at Oliva Gallery, Chicago. 8th Midwest Open, (2025) Women Made Gallery, Chicago, curated by Kimberly Oliva. Migrations: Black & White 2.0, (2024) at the Evanston Art Center, curated by Makeba Kedem-DuBose.; Words Matter, (2021) at The Art Center Highland Park, curated by Kedem-DuBose.; Ephemera: The Power of Impermanence, (2021) at The Art Center Highland Park, curated by Victoria Fuller.
Newmark holds degrees in Art and Art History from the University of Illinois. She also spent 21 years as Creative Director at Skyline, an award-winning Chicago-based manufacturer of decorative architectural glass for interior and exterior environments. Through collaborations with leading architects, she developed a deep understanding of how art can enhance architecture and shape a unique sense of place. In 2020, she shifted her focus to concentrate on her studio practice.
