Deb Cripps
Writer, Artist, Entrepreneur
Portfolio
Books, magazines, photography, sculptures,
live theatre, storytelling, interviewer.
If you have found yourself here for the first time, thanks for visiting.
I've been on the planet long enough to understand that this journey we are all on is about transformation and keeping love present. In my experience, the opportunity for change and growth is most profound when I discover the light in the darkness. That is where the miracles are found. Life is about shifting perspectives, and connecting with others enables that shift. So I welcome you!
As a little girl growing up in a small town in Nova Scotia, I would often take refuge in the forest behind my home to talk to the trees. The trees became my friends and trusted confidants, who in turn told me their stories. They helped me to feel connected. Many decades later, I wanted to create and share that feeling of belonging and connectedness, and began the creation of a 1200 sq ft forest of 17 seven-foot high trees. Each tree has been engineered for its uniqueness visually, as well as intellectually and emotionally. Each with a story to tell. The project took two and a half years to create.
The Illuminative Forest - is a wondrous interactive exhibit designed for adult participants. It combines technology, storytelling, natural elements, and visual arts, and explores the human spirit and our sense of belonging on this planet together. The Forest is a change-making experience, perfect for corporate spaces, galleries, or community centres in rural and urban locations. I hope you have the opportunity to share in it. To have your community partner with the Illuminative Forest, please reach out.
As a story seeker and teller, I've made countless meaningful connections in my travels to 14 countries, interviewing 400 people. What a privilege to hear and share the stories of those with diverse life experiences. From northern Uganda to remote villages in India and Cambodia, to every Canadian province... like the Trees in the Illuminative Forest... everyone has a story to honour.
Please feel free to connect.
And may you too find many miracles in the light!
Deb
Published Work + Public Artwork
"Keepers of the Land" book - Author, Co-photographer
This was a true AgVenture! I drove a 40 ft motorhome across Canada
(a bit of a stretch from my old Ford Mustang) to interview 38 Farming Families and profile them in this wonderful celebration of Canadian food producers and farming.
"A Bird's Eye View" book - Edit, Design, Contributing photographs
56 Days Around the World - Photographer, Writer - an exceptional travel adventure that circled the globe.
Numerous Canadian Magazines - Photographer, Writer, Ghostwriter
AgVenture, "The Love of Food." - Photographer, Writer Interactive blog
"Pass The Buck" - Founder - leap of faith project spread across each Canadian province
"Dove Fly" - Creator, Lead Artist - - public art exhibit
"Travellers' Way" - public art exhibit
Photography and Sculptures
Solo and group exhibitions.
Grant recipient - 2017, 2018
"Illuminative Forest of Storytelling Trees" Exhibit - Creator, Lead Artist, Writer
A Canadian based inter-arts touring installation that uniquely explores aspects of the
human experience through the whimsical lens of 17 seven-foot sculptures.
The Illuminative Forest integrates storytelling, music, visual arts and technology.
The ILLUMINATIVE FOREST
Performance Theatre
"Stories Within the Forest" - Creator, Lead Artist, Creative Director, Writer
Theatre Production - A collaborative effort of indigenous and non-indigenous artists
coming together to explore storytelling, onsite art creation, and a sharing of knowledge.
Current Work
Optics - 2023 photography
The Illuminative Forest of Storytelling Trees Exhibit
River Flow - an interactive exhibit
Six Tapestries - public art exhibit