Stories Sketched

How Debbie Marcinkowski Bebernes captures human experiences in her intimately painted works with Snow Lion Studios

By Lisa Van Horne

Driven to observe and experience the world fully, it was inevitable that Debbie Marcinkowski Bebernes’ creative side would become her primary work. Parallel to her professional career, that motivation—manifesting organically in the colors, lines and words that she captured in her sketchbooks—inspired her desire to convey meaningful moments for others through her painting. 

When Bebernes left her career as a nonprofit fundraising leader after 25 years to pursue her art full-time, she didn’t feel as if she were taking a blind leap of faith. Just as the storied snow lion fearlessly and gracefully traverses uncharted territories, she saw it as a confident new direction.

“I knew that all my years of professional experience had equipped me with the business sense and know-how to bolster my artistic side and build a thriving endeavor,” says Bebernes, owner of Snow Lion Studios. “It was a sure, calm and well-prepared step forward.”

Bebernes’ path toward launching Snow Lion Studios began in her childhood through her perpetual drawing and painting. After she studied fine arts and art history in college, she earned her graduate degree in nonprofit management.

Over her time leading corporate partnership and sponsorship initiatives for various types of organizations, Bebernes continued to paint and occasionally had her work accepted into juried shows and a gallery in Washington, D.C.’s art district. But it was through her extensive business, volunteer work and personal travel around the globe—as well as her passion for climbing and mountaineering—that Bebernes’ artistic energy continued to flourish.

Whether she was participating in high-altitude climbs in the Andes and Africa to support breast cancer research, working with a National Geographic scientist throughout the Everest region of the Khumbu Himalaya or helping rebuild orphanages and monasteries in closed regions of Tibet, Bebernes’ sketchbooks always went with her. Regularly painting in a sketchbook was a practice that she first picked up while studying in Italy between her undergraduate and graduate programs, and it’s a practice that helped her creatively record her personal experiences while uniquely connecting with donors during work travel in the field.

“Through ink, watercolors and accompanying writing around many of the images, I was telling stories from both exotic places and extraordinary moments encountered closer to home,” says Bebernes.

As Bebernes began to consider a new career direction, her inklings of a transition serendipitously coincided with renewed artistic interest and inspiration. 

“I found myself suddenly in the flow of unsolicited inquiries for painting commissions for the first time in many years, an influx of ideas around my art and a different path being lit up to step into,” says Bebernes.

This led to the founding of Snow Lion Studios, through which Bebernes offers her clients opportunities to cherish meaningful stories, moments and memories through her artwork. 

“Story is woven throughout our lives,” says Bebernes. “I want to help people record theirs in beautiful ways, as I do my own.”

In her observational, naturalistic style of art, Bebernes is inspired by both a lure to seek and explore as well as the joy that her works bring to others. This is captured particularly poignantly in her custom sketchbooks in which she translates photos from clients’ meaningful trips, events or occasions into ink-and-watercolor books. These intimately crafted projects take her passion for artistically conveying her own experiences a step further by providing this opportunity for others to have a lasting glimpse of their own special memories.

“For all the benefits of technology, we are at a time when digital fatigue is increasing,” says Bebernes. “There is comfort and worth in the tangible. People are valuing the concept of these striking books to hold, show others and turn through instead of just a storehouse of digital photos. These are luxurious pieces that can be passed down through generations, with pages turned by hands both weathered and story-laden as well as the eager, unlined hands of those captivated by the tales told.”

As she looks to the future of Snow Lion Studios, Bebernes sees the potential of new partnerships to continue capturing meaningful moments in time—from creating closing gifts from lenders or realtors to new homeowners to working with companies and university departments to bring iconic locations to artistic life for recognition, awards or retirement gifts. 

“I hope that I can help people find a sense of wonder, as I do while observing and studying the subjects that become my paintings,” says Bebernes. “If my art can capture a meaningful place, important memories or a touching experience, then it can allow a means to honor those very personal moments.” 

Bebernes’ art is available through Snow Lion Studios, including custom books, commissioned paintings, pet portraits and unique corporate gifts. Find more information at snowlionstudios.com, and follow along on Instagram @snow.lion.studios.