About the Artist

Debra Joy Groesser

“Capturing the Spirit - Illuminating Joy”

Nebraska artist, Debra Joy Groesser received her BFA degree in art in 1978 from Bellevue College (Bellevue, NE).  Debra paints many subjects but is best known for her impressionistic landscape paintings, particularly her plein air work.  “Painting is such a spiritual experience for me. Nothing inspires me more than being out on location, capturing the subtle nuances of color, light and atmosphere that can only be achieved by painting from nature." Debra also paints portraits and figurative works. In 2011, she was commissioned by Omaha Performing Arts to create a large portrait of Richard and Mary Holland, which hangs at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Her work can be found in several corporate collections in the Omaha area as well as private collections in the US and around the world. 

     Debra is a Signature member and Past Board Chair/President/CEO of the American Impressionist Society, a Master Signature member of Plein Air Artists Colorado, and a Signature member of Oil Painters of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and American Plains Artists. She is an elected artist member of Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters. Her work has been featured in several national art publications including International Artist (June/July 2021), Art of the West (March 2018), American Art Collector (May 2010), Southwest Art and a feature article in Plein Air Magazine (Oct/Nov. 2014).  She was a finalist in Southwest Art Magazine’s 2012 Artistic Excellence competition. Debra was a faculty member for the 2014, 2015, and 2018 Plein Air Conventions and the 2021 Plein Air Live Global Virtual Art Conference.

     Debra's work is available at through her studio/gallery, Debra Joy Groesser Fine Art, and at Out of the Box in Ralston NE. 

 Recent and upcoming juried and invitational exhibitions:

• Solo Exhibition: "Plein Air Painting - From Field to Studio", Lied Art Gallery, Creighton University, Omaha NE, January/February 2027
• American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, October 2026,  (also 2005, 2007-2025) and AIS Impressions Small Works Showcase, May 2026 (also 2017-2025)
• Door County (Wisconsin) Invitational Plein Air Festival and Exhibition, July 2026 (also 2008 - 2025)
• Mountain Oyster Club Juried Western Art Exhibition and Sale, Tucson AZ, Nov. 2025-Jan. 2026
• Nebraska Biennial Juried Exhibition, October 2025 (also 2023, 2021)
• PACE "New Masters" Juried Exhibition, Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center/PACE, Council Bluffs IA May -September 2023 (also May-September 2022)
• "Yes, This is Nebraska" Solo Exhibition, Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, David City NE, November 2021-March 2022
• "America the Beautiful" Invitational Virtual Exhibition, Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder CO, May-July 2021
• Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, August 2020, RS Hanna Gallery Fredericksburg TX
• Paint Grand Traverse Plein Air Invitiational, August 2021 (also 2018-2020)
• "The Mountains Are Calling" Invitational Exhibition, June -September 2019, Reuben Saunders Gallery, Wichita KS
• Plein Air Artists Colorado National Juried Exhibition, November 2022 (also 2008-2020) Honorable Mention: 2010, 2014; 1st Place Signature Award: 2009 and 2016. Master Signature Member status granted September 2017.
• “Where in the World Is” Plein Air Event, June/July 2020 (also 2015-2019), Illume Gallery, St George UT
• Salmagundi Club Centennial Exhibition, New York NY, January 2018
• Laguna Plein Air Invitational, Laguna Beach CA, 2017, 2010; Children’s Paintout Mentor in 2015, 2016
• 2017 Plein Air For the Park, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, Grand Teton National Park, July 2017
• “Realism Without Borders” International Invitational Exhibition, Nov 2016, Costa Mesa CA
• Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Nov 2016 (also 2005, 2007, 2009)
• En Plein Air Texas, October 2016, San Angelo TX
• The Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, April 2016, Atlanta Georgia
• “Impression” Invitational Exhibition with Russian, Ukranian and American Impressionists, Denver CO, March 2016
• Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Biennial Art Auction, Montgomery AL, Feb 2018 (also 2006-2016)
• “Making An Impression” Invitational Exhibition, December 2015, Forest & Ocean Gallery, Laguna Beach CA
• Solo Exhibition, Gallery 92, Fremont NE, November 2015
• American Plains Artists National Juried Exhibitions, August-Oct 2017 (also 2009-2016) Awards in 2012 and 2015
• Laguna Plein Air Painters Association’s “Best of Plein Air” Juried Exhibition, Laguna Beach CA, 2017, 2018, 2019
• Sedona Plein Air Invitational - Sedona AZ, October 2014
• Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibitions, 2012 and 2014
• Salon International, San Antonio TX (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014) Honorable Mention for Artistic Excellence Award in 2011, 2009
• “The Legacy of the West” solo exhibition with historical works by Abby Williams Hill, Vashon WA, Nov. 2013
• “American Vistas” MVIS Juried Exhibition, Kansas City MO, Sept/Oct 2013 Best of Show Award
• “Powered by Nature: Seven Women” Mountainsong Galleries, Carmel California, April 2013
• “Far and Near Horizons: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists” New York City, March 2013
• Masters of the Midwest Invitational Exhibition, August-Sept 2012, Southwind Art Gallery, Topeka KS
• Solo Exhibition, Mountainsong Galleries, Ocean Ave, Carmel CA, May/June 2010
• Carmel Art Festival, Carmel, California, 2008-2010 Honorable Mention Award in 2009
• “Inspirations from Rimrock Ranch”  National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson WY, 2007

“My greatest satisfaction in being an artist comes from successfully connecting with people on an emotional level through my artwork. My challenge is to create a sense of place and to render my subjects in such a way that the viewer will feel their spirit, the emotions I felt as I painted, and understand what attracted me to the subject. “  -Debra Joy Groesser