lover of life
In the words of the artist:
“I am an artist seduced by my senses. What I see and feel is put on canvas in color… to elevate everydayness to a simple form of love.
Choosing to make my life’s work as a painter means that I choose to do what I cannot do without. It is important. It is expressing the moments of my reality in a celebration of color and form. It is a combination of passion, sensitivity, intellect, intuition, and discipline in a private, yet shared, creation.
‘Life is life’ and so it goes, one ordinary or rapturous moment after another. And so I paint… in colors and private symbols that may quietly or urgently connect with and inspire one… or more than one… other person.”
Deborah’s large collection of original work lives on through hundreds of dedicated patrons. Her name lives on through her legacy and endowment. Explore more below.
joyful woman
Celebrant of over 3000 original paintings sold in public & private collections nationally with dozens of awards since 1971. Clientele nurtured through many years of exhibitions, festivals, and studio openings. Developer of vacant industrial building into 317 Market Street Gallery/Studios and originator of downtown Rockford ArtScene concept. Her legacy lives on.
May 7th, 2019 Lake Geneva, WI in honor of Deborah Newton
Deborah Newton 1942 - 2019
Deborah Newton passed on Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 surrounded by family in Lake Geneva, WI after repeated yet courageous battles with cancer. Born May 7th, 1942 in Rockford, IL, she was the only child of parents Milton & Anne Linden. She is survived by her husband, Joseph, son Brett, daughter Paige, grandchildren, in-laws & nieces/nephews, and special life-long friends endearingly characterized as the Magnificent 7.
She converted a vacant commercial building into lofts for herself and others to live, create and show their work. This endeavor became known as 317 Market Street and she orchestrated this enterprise for over 20 years which, along with other local pioneers, helped re-establish vitality into downtown Rockford, Illinois.
Through much of her adult life, Deborah endured multiple health challenges, yet none of these obstacles dampened her boundless spirit to live, love and grow. She loved pursuing education, expanding her intellect, traveling to new lands, and encouraging people to grow – always with her gracious smile and friendly spirit.
MEMORIAL VIDEO
The Deborah Newton Legacy Project, headed by her family, maintains her legacy, oversees her remaining works, an ongoing digital archive, and a legacy endowment fund. The retrospective exhibit LIFE: The Paintings of Deborah Newton opened at Rockford Art Museum in April 2023. A collector’s booklet of this exhibit is available for purchase by contacting us via email. A more complete book featuring limited selections of her work is also underway through submissions of the Treasure Hunt. If you’d like to be among the first to receive legacy updates via email communications, click the link below to subscribe to our private list.
SUBSCRIBE
An effort is currently underway to fund a legacy endowment serving Rockford-area youth and active artists to continue their creative journey in coordination with Womanspace of Rockford. Please consider making a generous, tax-deductible donation to help support the ongoing Deborah L. Newton Legacy Endowment.