Here’s an exclusive glimpse into one of Debbie Caruana Dingli’s work spaces, which she shares with her artist son George Eynaud. Debbie’s shared studio space is filled with paintings and treasured objects which offer an intimate look into the artist’s thoughts, feelings and life experiences. Scroll down and read through Debbie’s own words to learn more.

“I share this studio-garage with my artist son George, who is currently based in London. In all honesty, this studio belongs to him. I do have my own tiny studio, but this is where I like to paint my bigger and darker paintings.”

“Me holding dogs: Elsa, Pepper and Johnny…I just thought that it was time to paint a happy picture.”

“Toby and I. Toby was a very, very special dog with one eye. It broke me when he died at the tender age of 4, with sand fly. This painting is about the joy he gave me…and the interesting space between us.”

“Bust of my nannu, Robert…”

“Nina from Siggiewi. She comes to model at my portrait classes and has so much personality. This was a demo that I gave my students.”

“This is a clay sculpture by my artist friend Andrew Diacono: ‘X’ghamilt b’idejja!”

“Pictures in my studio vary: some belong to previous exhibitions, some are portrait studies of friends, acquaintances and myself….”

“These two self-portraits form part of a series of self-portraits which I painted when I was recovering from my car accident. ‘Facing Myself’ is the title given to these self-portrait series, suggested by a close friend of mine, Caroline Miggiani. I was forced to use my left hand at this period as my right arm was in a sling. They’re a chronicle of my emotional state of mind during such a turbulent time. Painting myself, or rather ‘FACING MYSELF’, really helped me get through it all.”

“Self portrait with fish. It is a double hide, typical of what I do when ‘facing myself’.”

“Pink self-portrait on George’s chair sculpture.”

“Me painted from underneath, looking up. Done some years ago at Celia Borg Cardona’s studio. The others are studies in towels. I gave myself 15 min on each to get a quick sketchy effect.”

“A close up of one of my 15 min towel-studies.”

“I always wear a horrible, supportive, cotton bra at home that I call my ‘Frau Bra’. No way would I let anyone see it. Now that I couldn’t give a damn, I thought I’d paint myself in it. I feel that ‘Me in my Frau Bra’ may be my best self-portrait. This is the one I ended the ‘Facing Myself’ series with.”

If you would like to know more about Debbie Caruana Dingli’s work click on this link https://www.facebook.com/Debbie-Caruana-Dingli-1413547822298494/

PHOTO CREDITS: Eve Cocks (Studio) & Debbie Caruana Dingli (Paintings)