JIGGY x Debra Magid x Team Fox

JIGGY x Debra Magid x Team Fox

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month and we've partnered up with Team Fox of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Debra Magid, an artist and designer who was diagnosed in 2012, to create a special edition 500pc puzzle. My own family has been touched by Parkinson's Disease, so this collaboration is a special one for me and I hope you enjoy piecing together this original art by Debra while supporting MJFF's mission and efforts. I was excited to talk with Debra about her journey and art; learn more about her and our conversation below! 

xx Kaylin, JIGGY founder

 

Debra Magid, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, spent more than 35 years as a designer before rediscovering her fine arts roots and the love of making art. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012, Debra approaches her art with a passion and urgency that only an uncertain future can create. Her artwork is a joyful exploration of the intersection of the human form, intense color and movement. Experimenting with scale, texture and composition in pastel, watercolor and acrylic, her work now focuses on how the basic human form - and particularly the face - can be interpreted and rendered to be both real and imaginary. Debra’s artwork is owned in several private collections in addition to having been shown in galleries in New York City, the Greater Tri-State area and South Korea.
Shake With Me: In the fall of 2016, Debra agreed to let her son, Zack Grant, document on film the relationship between her art and her condition. What started as an exploration of Debra's growth as an artist in the face of Parkinson's Disease grew into a larger story of creativity, health, family and the will to cope.

 

 

How did you come up with the design for the Shake with Me puzzle?

The image on the puzzle is the same image we picked to promote the film. The original pastel drawing is quite large, 36” x 48”.
We felt the dynamic size of the drawing would translate well to a movie poster.



How did you first become passionate about art? What type of art did you focus on when you began your career 35 years ago and how has it since evolved today?

I’ve always been interested in creating. For many years, it was as a designer doing graphics, exhibit, restaurant and retail design.
When I was diagnosed, I felt the need to go back to fine art. I don’t want to solve design problems now. I want to play with color, scale imagery and light to create art. Not knowing how long you’ll be able to continue painting or drawing is a great motivator.



You were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012. How has your diagnosis influenced your artistic approach?

At this point in my life, my art is much more free. Part of that comes from losing some of the ability for tight draftsmanship but really it is because I am much more interested in vitality and energy in my work. I love to use vivid colors with dynamic strokes.


Are you hopeful that your art will inspire others with disabilities to use art as a creative outlet?

Definitely. All the doctors say stress is not good for PD. Making art is my way of coping. It gives me great satisfaction to do a good painting. I hope I can encourage others to try creating something: art, music, poetry. How ever they choose to express themselves.

 

Thank you for your inspiration and partnership, Debra! 

 

Learn more about Debra, Zack, Team Fox and shop this special edition puzzle; 50% of proceeds will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. 

 

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