Deborah English has a long-held fascination with the intersection of the natural world and the one defined by humankind. As a child growing up on a dairy farm on Maryland's Eastern Shore, she had ample opportunity to examine the quiet harmonies of a country life. She first studied Creative Writing and American Literature at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She and her family moved to Baltimore in 1978. Then, in 1981, she began studies at the Maryland Institute, College of Art, graduating cum laude in 1986. She has been exhibiting regularly since, with shows in in York, Pennsylvania, Richmond, Virginia, and Omaha, Nebraska, as well as in Maryland.

As part-owner of a Texas cattle ranch, she ensures access to some of the characters she often paints. In the cow paintings, she examines the sense of being in an alien world, one which is defined by its bovine inhabitants, and which is very different from our own. An annual vacation to the Caribbean island of Antigua inspires water pictures. Home inspires landscapes.

A love of narrative generated the 2003 series, "Myths and Muses", which was based on characters from the Greek myths. Since then, Ms. English has worked to meld her two interests in visual and literary arts with a new group of paintings. In these, she explores the things we miss while we're busy doing something "more important". The significance of what we do, and say, is often less meaningful than the mini-dramas that, unnoticed, go on around us all the time. She paints, as she says, "the things I see on my way to answering the telephone".

In 2007, English's paintings were acquired by the Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD as well as the Maryland Artists Collection of the University of Maryland, University College in College Park.

The Steven Scott Gallery has represented Deborah English since 2005. Selected exhibits at Steven Scott Gallery include: “Seven Remarkable Regional Realist Women” (2006), “Inspired by Nature” (2006), and the simultaneous solo exhibitions, “Deborah English, Recent Paintings” at the Steven Scott Gallery and the Intercontinental Hotel at Harbor Court. In 2005, she had a solo exhibit at the Harbor Court Hotel.

Before her arrival at the Steven Scott Gallery, she exhibited extensively throughout Baltimore. Her work has been featured in charitable events hosted by the Walters Art Museum (“Art Blooms”, 2001 and 2002). She participated in the School 33 annual benefits, LOTTA ART (1998 through 2001). In 2005, her paintings were in the show, “Art for Land’s Sake”, benefiting the Valleys Planning Council. In 2006, she was included at a benefit for Shriver Hall, of Johns Hopkins University. She has been a regular exhibitor at the Baltimore Choral Arts Society benefit every year from 1998 to 2006. In 2007, she will exhibit in “Regarding Nature”, at the Gordon Performing Arts Center.

She regularly exhibited at Paper Rock Scissors Gallery from 1998-2005. Selected Paper Rock Scissors Gallery shows were: “Myths and Muses, Paintings by Deborah English” (2003), “The Lay of the Land”, paintings by Deborah English, Tom Fesenfeld and Murray Taylor” (1999), and “The Endless Summer; Paintings by Deborah English and Murray Taylor” (2000). Associated selected exhibitions include: “Landscapes by Deborah English” at the Gibson Island Club (2002), “Landscapes by Deborah English” at the Morris Mechanic Theater (2000).

Deborah English’s paintings have appeared at the Adam Whitney Gallery, Omaha, Nebraska (1991-1995 and 2001-2003). They have also been presented by the Baltimore Museum of Art Sales and Rental Gallery (1986-1988) and by the Delaware Museum of Art Sales and Rental Gallery (1992). She has exhibited in Richmond, Virginia with Sarah Brown, ASID (1988-99). In 1986, her work was the subject of a solo show. “Paintings by Deborah English”, at The Gallery in York, Pennsylvania. Academic venues include: solo shows at Mount Saint Mary’s College (now McDaniel College) (1985),) and the Enoch Pratt Library (1993). She exhibited in a two-person show at Villa Julie College (1985). In 2006, her paintings were featured on “ArtWorks This Week”, the Maryland Public Television program celebrating regional art. In 1989, Ms. English won a grant from the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Art and Culture to complete a large outdoor mural, entitled “Acts of Charity” in Baltimore’s challenged Harlem Park neighborhood.