The Arts Colony of La Mirada will welcome artist Deborah Joy Shriver for its October artist demonstration, offering the community an opportunity to watch an artist known for bold color, dramatic texture and an adventurous approach to mixed media at work.
The free event will be held Monday, October 5, at the La Mirada Resource Center, 13710 La Mirada Blvd. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m., with the demonstration beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Shriver’s journey as a painter began relatively recently. During the pandemic in 2020, she turned to painting as a creative outlet and began taking online classes. What started as exploration soon developed into a passion and an increasingly distinctive artistic style.
Although oil painting provided a foundation, Shriver began experimenting beyond traditional techniques. Today, her mixed-media work can incorporate gel prints, molding paste, alcohol ink, paper and oil paint, creating pieces filled with layers, dimension and texture.
Nature is a recurring inspiration in her work, particularly flowers, landscapes and seascapes. Shriver is drawn to strong color and dramatic impasto, a technique using thick applications of paint that can give a work an almost sculptural quality.
Long before she began creating art herself, Shriver was an art collector and enthusiast. She found particular inspiration in the unconventional and sometimes “funky” artwork she encountered in galleries throughout Downtown Los Angeles. That appreciation for experimentation continues to influence the way she approaches her own canvas. Her philosophy toward choosing a subject is refreshingly straightforward: “I like to paint anything that speaks to me.”
For Shriver, flowers represent beauty, while the ocean evokes peace and magnificence. Rather than simply reproducing what she sees, she uses color, texture and mixed media to interpret the feeling a subject creates for her.
Since beginning her artistic journey, Shriver’s work has been exhibited both locally and internationally, including in Europe. Her paintings have appeared in numerous magazines, and she has received awards from the San Clemente Art Association.
The October gathering will offer more than the live demonstration. Guests may enter a raffle for a chance to win one of Shriver’s paintings and other prizes, bring their own artwork to participate in a friendly art competition, and meet other artists and art enthusiasts while enjoying light refreshments.
The event is free and open to the public, making it an opportunity not only for experienced artists but also for anyone curious about the creative process.
The Arts Colony of La Mirada’s October program promises an evening devoted to experimentation, imagination and the simple pleasure of watching a blank surface transform through color and texture.
Event Details
Monday, October 5, 2026
Doors open: 6:15 p.m.
Artist demonstration: 6:30 p.m.
La Mirada Resource Center
13710 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada
Admission: Free and open to the public
by Victoria Pflanzer
