Rising Stars: Meet Deborah Argyropoulos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Argyropoulos.

In my world there are no naked walls.

Hi Deborah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Originally from Baltimore, MD I moved to CA after college in 1991. I knew I wanted to live at the beach with beautiful warm weather and lots of vegetarian food choices (none of which I could have experienced staying in MD). I know it sounds cliche but I knew in my soul from a very young age I would be a professional painter. I could see what it looked like and how it made me feel, but I did not know how to make it happen.

Up to that point in my life, I had worked in various artistic mediums and created small business endeavors but moving Los Angeles was my “official” launching pad for my career in the Arts. Painting was always in my world but I needed to be able to afford to support myself, so after a year of apprenticing as a silversmith in San Diego, I started my own company in my early 20’s designing and selling my jewelry, which led me to move to Venice /Santa Monica, CA. I could smell the sea air from the storefront on Main Street, and see the Ocean every day which was the most magical place for me.

My natural curiosity and interest in discovering new techniques and mediums transitioned me into designing and manufacturing garments which led me to start a high-end boutique clothing line. It was a steep learning curve and my beach storefront was now an office in the garment district in downtown Los Angles. I was too busy to realize this was moving me away from my dream of a painting by the ocean. Until one day, seven years later it hit me and I walked away from the garment industry… bought as many canvases and tubes of paint I could afford and started to make up for the lost time. I painted 14 hours a day, seven days a week. Time stood still and I loved every second of it. There was no going back – I sold my first painting and never doubted again that this was to be my reality.

After nearly two decades in Southern CA, life circumstances and astrocartography (astrology of location) landed me in Austin, TX. That may not seem so “risky”, but for and East Coast girl living on the West Coast, who had never even been to Texas and knew no one there it was quite a leap of faith. Needles to say, the rest is history.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I am not sure I know what a smooth road would look like. I believe we have to create our own opportunities and there is no set path or formula. Being a creative person, in any of the art fields has struggles and challenges. That is to be expected. For me personally, the creative process is effortless. I do not struggle to find ideas or inspiration to create. It is my happy place that always has a full well. In contrast, finding your audience and the physical tasks and actions that need to be taken to sell your work is something you have no control over. In that respect, the unknown can definitely be the bump in the road.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an artist and businesswoman, I have created an all-inclusive experience for Corporations to acquire and collect fine art. We curate collections for companies to increase the value of their property while enriching the experience for the guests and workers that visit their space. Corporate ART Smart works strategically with builders, architects, interior design companies, directors of acquisitions, and procurement teams by pairing artwork whose color, imagery and scale are appropriate for commercial spaces; creating an attractive and inspiring work environment for their clients and residents. We specialize in custom large-scale, original pieces as well as reproductions for resorts, hotels, commercial buildings, galleries, and private residences.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
At Corporate ART Smart, we love what we do. It is unbridled passion combined with personal necessity to make the world a more beautiful place to live. We are grateful for our clients and our success as a leading art provider and the best way to show that appreciation is to give back to the communities that support us. Below are some of the organizations to which we have donated to over the past decade. Each year Corporate ART Smart allots part of our budget to donate to worthy causes. If you are interested in discussing your nonprofit or cause with us to apply for a donation, please contact us. As the famous quote states “eARTh without ART is just eh”. We look forward to hearing from you.

– Breast Cancer Resource Center
– Beverly Hills Cancer Hospital
– Dell’s Children’s Hospital
– Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
– Central Austin Food Bank
– Dallas Police Museum
– Make A Wish Foundation
– Austin Dog Alliance
– Humane Society
– Rise School of Austin
– Austin Chamber Music
– Orange Ribbions For Jaime
– Firefly
– Austin Pets Alive
– Innocence Project
– Goodwill
– Center for Child Protection Services
– MS society

And so many others! (known and unknown to the public – all causes are important and we are here to help)

Contact Info:

• Website: corporateartsmart.com 

In my world there are no naked walls.