About the Artist
Debbie Wardrope is a Bay Area native and longtime Pleasanton resident who has always loved art and has pursued painting for most of her life, even during her 20-year career in mortgage banking.
Debbie graduated "With Distinction" from the California College of Arts and Crafts (now California College of the Arts) in Oakland with a BFA in illustration. Her work has been recognized through numerous awards. She has exhibited in many group and solo shows, such as Art Expo in New York and has shown her paintings in galleries from Yountville to Carmel. Debbie's work is included in private and corporate art collections around the nation. Locally, both Alameda County and the City of Pleasanton own her original paintings.
Debbie's primary medium is soft pastel, but she also paints in oils and acrylics. Debbie says, "I believe that art should be beautiful, accessible and evoke an emotional response in the viewer. I strive to create images that are immediately recognizable but are frequently overlooked in the rush of everyday life. I love to capture the glory of God’s creation through the use of light and color.”
A signature member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, Debbie teaches oil, acrylic and pastel painting classes for adults and art classes for children through the City of Pleasanton and the Town of Danville. She has also done demonstrations and workshops for numerous art associations throughout the Bay Area.
Debbie was honored to be selected by Senator Ellen Corbett to produce a painting representing her district to hang at the state capitol building in Sacramento, CA. The painting, “Pleasanton Evening,” was on display in the meeting rooms behind the Senate Chamber for a year. Prints of Debbie’s work are on display in numerous businesses including Stanford/ValleyCare Hospital and the Pleasanton Marriott and one of her paintings is featured on the cover of a book titled, “Cruising Down Memory Lane,” a collection of stories about Pleasanton. Debbie has also been a judge for the Alameda County Fair and the Pleasanton Art League art shows as well as several others. One of her greatest joys has been working with a team of friends to create three murals at Village of Hope Guatemala.
Debbie’s classes were voted “Best of the Best” in 2023 by Diablo Magazine.
Debbie lives in Pleasanton with her husband, daughter and an assortment of rescued dogs and cats. Her work is represented by Studio Seven Arts in Pleasanton. She welcomes commissions.