Evoking memories, the paintings of Deborah Quinn-Munson bring us to serene and restful places with distant horizons and peaceful surroundings. Her pastels and oils are tranquil depictions of nature. Deborah finds inspiration in water, reflections, marsh and sea grass and grew up near the water. Touches of glimmering light build a deep, meditative rhythm in her paintings. Loving bold color and energetic brush strokes, Quinn-Munson explores the contrast between nature’s strength and its gentler side. “When I paint, I am interested in bold color, energetic line and strong composition to convey a powerful image filled with atmosphere and light.  Expressive brush and pastel strokes have become an important aspect of my work and bring vitality and movement to the painting. I enjoy the contrast between a brisk painting process and the scene’s quiet beauty."
Deborah Quinn-Munson has won numerous prestigious awards in juried competitions, including:
  - Best of Show, International Association of Pastel Societies Exhibition
  - Best of Show, National Juried Exhibition, Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod
  - Great American Artworks Award, Pastel Society of America
Quinn-Munson’s paintings have been published in Pure Pastel, "Contemporary Works by Today’s Top Artists," edited by Anne Hevener, Copyright, 2019 by F & W Media

Her paintings have also been published in The Artist’s Magazine and Pastel Journal, highlighting her work in both oil and pastel.

Her private and corporate collectors include:
  - Smilow Cancer Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital
  - Pfizer
  - Aetna
  - Lankenau Medical Center
  - Bridgeport Hospital
  - Middlesex Memorial Hospital
  - Connecticut Bank and Trust
  - Emerson Resort and Spa
  - Campbell’s Soup Company Headquarters

“I make art because it allows me to be most nearly myself. It is the foundation upon which I share how I see the world around me. My studio, with its smell of paint, familiar clutter, and the invitation to begin anew, is the door that opens into my into my imagination.”

Quinn-Munson earned Master level designation in the International Association of Pastel Societies and is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America. She was awarded Best of Show, Prix de Pastel a Juried Exhibition. Additionally, she received a top award in the Pastel Society of America Show, Enduring Brilliance and Best of Show at Duxbury Art Complex and Museum, Paint New England. The Butler Institute of American Art included Quinn-Munson’s work in their Annual Pastel Exhibition. The Salmagundi Club and The Copley Society of Art are among Quinn-Munson’s elected memberships. She is also a member of Oil Painters of America and has been included in their National Juried Exhibitions. Quinn-Munson is an Elected Artist Member, Lyme Art Association.
After attending De Cordova Museum School, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of New Hampshire, a Master of Arts and Liberal Studies at Wesleyan University, and pursued post-graduate work at Lyme Academy of Art, where she later taught oil painting and composition.

Lectures and Publications
Composition and Design, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts
Composition and Design, Lyme Art Association
Judge and Juror, For Pastels Only, 2020
Published: Pure Pastel, a book of "Contemporary Works by Today's Top Artists", edited by Anne Hevener, Copyright 2019 by F&W Media

Demos:
Pastel Society of America, 2019
West Hartford Art League, 2019

Workshop Instructor, Pastel Painters of Cape Cod, 2019

Awards:

2023 Lyme Art Association, Elected Artists Exhibition, Merit Award for Stop and Go

2022 IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) Award of Excellence, Juried Webshow – 9th Master Circle

Division for Looking Ahead

2021 Pastel Society of America, 49th Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance, The Marge Levine Memorial Award for

Creative Innovation for Painter’s Perspective

2021 Awarded Master Pastelist designation with the Pastel Society of America

2021 Signature Strokes in Pastel, Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, Honorable Mention, for Walk

2020 Summer Quarter Pastel Competition, Dakota Art Pastels, Honorable Mention, for Peaceful Morning

2020 Pastel Society of America 48th Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance, Pastel Societies of the West and Southwest

Award – for Summer Gold

2016 Inducted into the Master Circle of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS), at the IAPS 12th Biennial

Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico

2016 IAPS Honorable Mention 29th IAPS Juried Exhibition, Online Show - for Sunlit

2016 IAPS Maggie Price Award of Excellence 28th IAPS juried Exhibition

2016 CPS Renaissance in Pastel, Best in Show – for Track 2

2016 CT Academy of Fine Arts, Art Spirit Foundation Dianne B Bernhard Award – for Sunlit

2016 IAPS Prix de Pastel Award, 27th IAPS Juried Exhibition Webshow – for On the Road Again

2016 Zahn Gallery Local Vision, Second Place – for River Reflection

2015 PPSCC Best of Show Award, For Pastels Only on Cape Cod - for Outdoor Café

2014 Pastel Society of America, Great American Artworks Award – for Construction Zone

2014 CPS Renaissance in Pastel, Terry Ludwig Pastels Award – for Sidewalk Art

2014 PPSCC Diane Townsend/UArt Enterprises Award -for Blue and Gold

2013 PPSCC Best of Show Award, Painting New England in Pastel – for Warmth Through the Night

2013 The Pastel Journal, Honorable Mention, 14th Annual Pastel 100 – for Last Day of Summer

2012 North River Arts Society Focus on Figures, Best in Show – for Ryan

2012 North River Arts Society Members Exhibit, Award of Excellence

2012 The Pastel Journal, Honorable Mention, 13th Annual Pastel 100 Competition - for A Walk in the Park

2011 The 13th Annual Little Compton Summer Art Show, People’s Choice Award – for My Daughter

2010 The Artist’s Magazine 27th Annual art Competition, finalist in Landscape/Interior category – for Sparkle

2010 The Artist’s Magazine 27th Annual art Competition, finalist in Landscape/Interior category – for Marsh Side

The Artist’s Magazine 20th Annual Art Competition, Finalist winner in the Landscape category – for Still Water

The Artist’s Magazine 21st Annual Art Competition, Finalist winner in the Landscape category – for On the Rocks

2009 The Artist’s Magazine All Media Competition Oil and Oil Pastel category, Honorable Mention – for Marsh Gold

2004 The Pastel Journal, Honorable Mention, 5th Annual Pastel 100 – for My Daughter

2003 CT Society of Portrait Artists Faces of Summer – for Ryan

2002 The Pastel Journal, Finalist, 3rd Annual Pastel 100 Competition – for Bright and Quiet

Lyme Art Association Art of New England Award for Excellence in Pastel – for Sarah Katherine

1997 Mystic Art Association Honorable Mention in the Juried Interiors Exhibition – for Warm Interior

1996 Madison Art Society, Data Mark award

1994 Madison Art Society, Hammonasset Ford, Lincoln Mercury Award – for Woodstock Barn

1989 Cape Cod Art Association Members Exhibit, Second Award Pastel/Drawing – for Chatham Band Stand

1975 Cape Cod Art Association 2nd Open Jury Exhibition, Honorable Mention in Graphics – for Jimmy Boy

1974 Cape Cod Art Association 1st Open Jury Exhibition, Excellence in Traditional – for Antique Shop