MY THOUGHTS ABOUT MY SISTER...DEBORAH

Mrs. Ross was born in Jamestown, New York to James and Patricia Gray. Her family relocated to Tucson, Arizona when she was very young. Her father was an early resident of Sierra Vista, Arizona back in the mid-1950's. That was when it was referred to as "Fry Township." She's the oldest of 14 children between two households. Her biological parents divorced shortly after her sister's birth, 10 months following her own. During her childhood, she and her family traveled to two foreign countries...three years in Middlesex, England and another three years in Adana, Turkey.

For more than thirty years, local grocery stores employed Mrs. Ross as a bookkeeper and as a cashier. However, her passion was painting. Especially southwestern wildlife and anything relating to her Native American heritage. Her interest for southwestern wildlife and Indian heritage stemmed from her own family's background. She grew up in the southwest and in a Native American family atmosphere. Her grandmother was a full-blooded Lakota Sioux. Her mother shared this pride also, along with having a father of Irish descent.

Mrs. Ross began freehand drawing at the early age of 8 and was quickly noticed by teachers and family alike.

She left the retail business in 1998 and followed her passion for painting, and has been doing very well for herself in the time since. She now resides in Safety Harbor, Florida...just on the outskirts of Tampa...and continues her love of painting all things related to the southwest and of the Native American Indian.

In reflecting on why my admiration of this professional artist is so great, I came to realize Mrs. Ross took a chance to follow her dream and to do what she enjoys most in life. The only exception being her children and husband.  She has been successful, in this very tough profession. Her works are one of a kind.

She paints with such great passion and each painting is a true expression of pride and what is in her heart.

I love her and her work, dearly. She is so very talented, but most of all, because she is my sister.

Love Ya Sis!!!

~ Sandy ~