About Deborah Younglao

Deborah Younglao is a self-taught artist who uses the luxurious fibers of silk to portray her love of nature. Flowers, birds and undersea creatures come to life on shimmering silk painted with vibrant fabric dyes. A native of the Caribbean island of Trinidad, Deborah now resides in Cary, North Carolina. Painting tropical themes is one way of keeping in touch with her Caribbean roots. However Deborah's focus is not limited to the Caribbean but includes the flora and fauna of other tropical areas such as South and Central America.

Although her formal education was in Science (she holds a Bachelor's in Biology and a Masters in Oceanography), Deborah's creative side led her to express her fascination with nature in an artistic rather than a scientific manner. Deborah was introduced to dye-painting (painting with dyes instead of paint) on silk in 1997, and thus started a love affair which has grown into a full-time calling.

The art of dye-painting on silk has a long history, and traditionally it has been used primarily to create wearable art. Deborah prefers to see her creations hanging on the wall, where the softness and luminosity of the silk, coupled with her bold colors, add panache to any décor. Not satisfied with only two dimensions, she also adds extra texture to some of her pieces with machine quilting and beading.

Although basically self-taught and always experimenting, Deborah continues to develop her skills through workshops led by renowned silk painters. She in turn introduces the technique to others by teaching classes in her home studio. Deborah sells her work primarily at juried art shows and group exhibitions, where her work has won several awards. She also creates commissioned pieces for private and corporate clients.

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Deborah Younglao painting in studio

Deborah Younglao

Hand Painted Silk Art

About Deborah Younglao