Art Scene

June 15, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Spring-Summer 2022 issue

A captivating work of art – Debbie Bonello

Photography Matthew Mirabelli

The warm welcome we received from Debbie Bonello and her adorable dachshund, Gigi, was clearly reflected in the amiable atmosphere 

inside her cosy art studio. Situated under her beautiful home in Balzan, the room is enclosed by glass walls and surrounded by orange trees in a spacious garden. A variety of paintings adorn the walls with colour and life.

Debbie herself sparkles with her big smile and friendly chatter. A visual artist by profession, she mused over how art runs in her blood. Her father is a stone sculptor, and, from a very young age, Debbie was exposed to art and design. 

She studied to become an art teacher, a career she maintained until she had her two sons. When they grew up, she spotted a post advertising art classes by Debbie Caruana Dingli. She quickly signed up and learnt considerably from her fellow classmates, as they shared ideas and observed different techniques. Realising her potential, Ms Caruana Dingli pushed her to go solo.

And so, six years ago, Debbie took up painting full-time.

“I love anything created by hand,” Debbie stated, “whether it’s sewing a scarf, crafting a necklace, or painting a new piece—it’s such a feeling of accomplishment. I love surrounding myself with beautiful things. And inspiration is everywhere! I get ideas when I’m driving, during my travels, from my kids or other people, even from food.” 

The sea around our islands is a favourite theme for Debbie when it comes to choosing what to paint. “I grew up in Mellieħa, so I gravitate naturally towards the sea,” she smiled. “Having said that, I like variety, and I often just go where the day takes me. Art is my lifestyle.”

In fact, Debbie revolves her life around art, making sure to paint as often as possible—indeed, aiming to paint daily. 

Standing at her easel, she depicts portraits, landscapes and seascapes, as well as local villages and landmarks. The occasional abstract emerges as well as a varied array of topics and genre. Whenever possible, she paints en plein-air, which enables her to capture the light and other elements onsite. In fact, Debbie was recently featured in an episode of Artist Secrets, by Allura Art, which saw her painting the Mellieħa parish church from scratch at Għadira Beach.

Sketches and photographs help when Debbie needs to continue her work in the studio, but she prefers to do her work live, especially when it comes to reproducing the essence of a person in a portrait. Water-based oils are Debbie’s preferred medium, since they offer a watercolour effect as well as a textured result when needed; thereby creating a variety of visual effects which the artist manipulates in her unique style and visual language.

Debbie loves how her work has no routine, with unplanned surprises often round the corner. Apart from meeting new people and tending to their various requirements, she was recently approached for an unusual undertaking which saw her do the unthinkable to one of her paintings.

A client from London shortlisted Debbie for an NFT project titled ‘ETH in Mellieħa’. 

Her brief was to paint a specific road in Mellieħa, with a car sporting the number plate ETH. Most of the work was done in the studio through photographs, since the road in question was quite narrow. When it was finished, the client asked Debbie if the painting could be burnt.

A non-fungible token (NFT) is any object that exists in digital form with blockchain technology. The documentary about this project, which was a first for a Maltese artist, shows the creation of a physical painting which then had to be destroyed to be transformed into an NFT. 

Debbie recounted the event with a smile. “We met up behind the Red Tower, and my son built a bonfire. Surrounded by friends and family, I then placed the painting on the fire. Watching it burn felt surreal, but I wasn’t upset. It still exists in the digital world. When I sell a painting, it is no longer mine. But this one can be traced wherever it goes. Having said that, I still prefer a physical purchase, though I am always open to new ideas like this one.”

Symbolically, Debbie’s signature was the last part of the painting that burnt.

On a personal aspect, Debbie loves her 1960s-design home in central Balzan. The garden provides a touch of greenery and a quiet open space, in spite of it being on a narrow main road surrounded by neighbouring buildings. The only thing missing is the sea, which she could always see from the roof of her childhood home.

“I prefer the minimalist/contemporary style of décor, but it’s a bit of a lost battle with a family of four,” Debbie chuckled. “I like things to be clean and organised. Having no clutter relaxes the mind and helps you enjoy the space better. But I compromise. Every room has its own vibe—and each member of the family enjoys their personal space in their own way.”

“My favourite room is my studio—for obvious reasons.” 

“But, since it adjoins the house, it also fits perfectly into my family life. I can be doing my chores—cooking, laundry, mothering my kids—and, simultaneously, continue with my painting. It is also my sanctuary—the place I hide in when I want to be alone. And I love it when it rains!”

“The studio also holds two of my most cherished pieces of furniture, custom-made by my late father-in-law, Carmel Bonello—an architect and designer of the house. The coffee table and the small bar unit are unique, because they were made specifically for this home. They tell a story—our story!”

So, what is Debbie’s artistic future promising?

The genial artist enthusiastically told us about her latest project with fellow artist, Andrew Borg. The upcoming exhibition, Whereabouts, will feature the beauty of Gozo and will mark the 25th anniversary of the Victoria Arts Festival. 

Debbie has already painted four beautiful portrayals of Gozitan scenery, which will form part of a set of twenty representations. Her grandfather is actually Gozitan, so she has a soft spot for Gozo.

“I really want to give my best and focus on making this an excellent achievement. I’ve stopped taking commissions for the next couple months. Usually, I have several ongoing projects, but this year, I want to be more focused and de-stressed. I wish to try new things, so I need to change all that I’ve been doing so far and take a new direction. It takes time—and a lot of work—but that is the only way I can truly make an impact and evolve, by constantly changing, adapting, and seeking a way forward.”