Sweet Home artist reflects on a lifetime of exploration via canvas

By Benny Westcott
Of The New Era/Lebanon Local

Deb Cooley may describe her painting style as realistic, and most viewers would probably attest to that quality in her work. But for Cooley herself, that’s not necessarily the most important thing.

“I tell people I can teach anyone to draw something,” she said. “It’s all how you perceive it. When most people paint or draw or whatever, they think they have to be always realistic. That’s…