Debra Bernier was born a middle child, with an older sister and younger brother. She was known as the 'ham in the sandwich', although she would live a vegetarian lifestyle. Growing up in a home without TV, Debra was free to wander and explore her world, encouraged by her Mother to befriend squirrels, bring home salamanders, unearth bones, and cherish bird's nests. One of Debra's earliest memories is digging at the beach, discovering the rich, dark clay layered under the sand. Buckets of clay were hauled home and soon the family's spider-webbed shed was converted into Debra's childhood studio. Clay figures of animals and mermaids would be sculpted, only to dry out and crumble Never one to be discouraged, Debra soon found new mediums to work with and would later complete a B.Ed at Ottawa University, Canada. Today Debra still collects shells and stones, and with her husband, encourages her two beautiful, messy children to explore nature's diversity. Living on Vancouver Island means Debra has an endless supply of driftwood to work with; her favorite medium. Like the bones of past trees, each piece of driftwood holds a story and the spirit of nature. Debra hopes that her art inspires creativity and awakens a connection to the beauty of nature Please feel free to use any images from my Etsy page or from my Facebook page: facebook.com/shapingspirit.