Biography:

A native of Wilmington, NC, Deborah O’Rourke Quinn is an artist and an educator of both science and art, with a passion for world travel. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Arts with magna cum laude honor in 1986 and an education degree with certifications in science and social studies in 1992 from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has been an elected member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society since 1986 and is also a summa cum laude graduate with a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from East Carolina University.

Quinn was awarded the Promise of Excellence in Teaching Award by the Watson College of Education in 1992 and is a three-time nominee for the Marilyn Goodman Anderson Excellence in Teaching Award at Cape Fear Community College, where she has been teaching for over 24 years. At CFCC, she introduced many new art mediums and techniques in the Fine Arts program, including ancient painting techniques of silk and encaustic. Most recently, Quinn developed the Art Methods and Materials course, where she introduced ancient faience glass production, casein and egg tempera painting, and metal leafing. Additionally, she has developed the hand-making processes for many art mediums, including paper, soft pastels, woodless colored pencils, ceramic under-glazing crayons, watercolors, and gouache.

In 1986, Quinn worked with three-time Oscar-winning special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi at De Laurentis Entertainment Group studios. In addition, she worked on the Stephen King movie Maximum Overdrive as a sculptor. Quinn’s recent work is a collection of oil paintings heavily influenced by years of science education, world travels, and personal experiences.

Education

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Painting, East Carolina University
• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Creative Arts, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Research/Teaching Expertise:

Painting