Malibu Artist Makes Comeback Following Health Scare

Deb Haugen of Malibu credits the firefighters from Station. No. 71 with saving her life two years ago when they realized she was having neurological problems and rushed her to the neuro trauma center at UCLA Westwood.

"I had suffered a brain aneurysm and was very lucky to be alive," Haugen said. She began a long road to recovery that included throwing herself back into her art.

Haugen reached out to Malibu Patch this week, sharing the news that her artwork has been picked up in the fall Crate and Barrel catalog, nearly a year after her aneurysm.

Here's what she had to say:

Malibu Patch: How long have you lived in Malibu and how long have you been an artist?

I have lived in Malibu off and on since the 60's. I have been painting since I was 10 years old, I'm 61 years old today. I usually supple art to TV and Film, including Desperate Housewives, CSI, Revenge, The Muppet Movie, House MD, 2 1/2 Men, etc.

Malibu Patch: I understand you underwent some health problems last year, but have made a full recovery. How has this influenced your art?

Deb Haugen: My art has only gotten better and more intense, defined and with a much greater depth to it. I spend the time now to really see and investigate things in nature that intrigue me. I've always been very instinctual with my art, but now I trust my intuition and paint very spontaneously with a more meditative approach.

Malibu Patch: I understand Crate and Barrel has picked up your art. Tell me about the piece and what this means to you.

Deb Haugen: The piece is one I usually work at in the evening when I get be quiet and really focused. It is what I call my meditation drawings or my "OCD" drawings, they are compulsive to me, sometimes I just cannot quit. I keep adding and adding and get into a meditative rhythm with a piece. Once I quit working on it, I usually put it down and don't come back to it for a day or two, I'm then really surprised by how detailed the piece is. This particular piece was one of the smaller 11 x 17 pieces that I initially created after my brain aneurysm. As you can see it is light, but detailed and in depth. I was reminded of a spider and the flowing delicate webs they weave. I wanted to capture that fragile dance, and I think I did. I personally was of a fragile dance in my life also.

Learn more about Haugen on her website at theorganicartist.com.