Meet Cathy Deibler | Artist, mom, surf and sail

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathy Deibler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathy, how do you think about risk?
I was always a bit of a risk taker in my twenties, I was able to use a freelance job paycheck to buy a ticket to the other side of the world and had a working visa to fund my travel, reinvent myself and explore. I did that for two years! I took another risk in flying to work in Japan aged 29. I worked three jobs until I found the best one by the sea and surf. Whilst working there, I met an American Naval Officer and took the ultimate risk to marry and move to the USA. I had only ever been here once for a long weekend in New York.
As I have two younger children, risk taking has taken a break, and we are settled for now, or at least until the kids go to college.
I sail and surf here in San Diego, but even now find my risk taking a little less each year, enjoying smaller waves, Ive just hopped off the bow of a 44ft sailboat to race a 24ft one. “My memory of every injury started to build up over time, and it wasn’t worth the risk at this moment. I also love the climb gym, but lead climbing is probably not on the cards. Never say never though.
I’m not that much of a risk taker when it comes to my art. It is my meditation, my calm place. I paint women taking risks but I am sat cozy at my art table. I paint the women surfing big waves, and use the photographs from mostly female photographers too swimming in the sea to take these shots. This was the series that started everything for me as an artist selling work. I do paint the San Diego Bay sailing racing too, focusing on photos with either myself racing on a boat, or another woman. Of course I also paint the men, but I have a crazy admiration for these women.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I really love to paint all things ocean related. The ocean is my life source. I am reenergized by it, I’ll have a cry at the beach when I need to. Dolphins will appear when Im stressed. I love the mountains too, but I am an islander, having grown up in Northern Ireland, the sea was always nearby and I actually took it for granted. Everywhere I travel to, I have sought out the sea. Sailing in New Zealand, Japan, Mexico and US. Ive also enjoyed surfing NZ and Japan too. My paintings are mostly surfing, sailing, marine life, the wonderful blues and greens I paint with have a calming effect on me. Watercolor has been the only medium that I can make the colors I love with, so that is my chosen medium right now.
I am also teaching private art lessons. I teach the way I draw and paint, and my love for my skills are hopefully taught. I encourage my students to not copy how I paint, but to find their unique colors and style. I am proud when a student continues to paint because I have built up their confidence.
When I put my artworks in a show, or sell at a fair, it is a very vulnerable place to be. I haven’t gotten used to that yet. But I feel encouraged by every person who buys a print or an original. I will continue to invest my energy into my art. Its risky yes, but I feel it is worth it for me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Cabrillo monument for a hike
Ironsides for Oysters and a cocktail
Pacific Beach for the ocean
Point Loma Pho and Grill for the best Pho outside Vietnam
La Jolla for leopard shark snorkles
Cortez Racing Association for the summer Beercan sailing and racing in the bay
Buonna Forchetta Coronado for the best family dinner
My house for Charlies best morning latte
Beach at the Hotel Del for the best winter sunset

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to retired engineer, ceramic artist, arts commissioner and sailor Deb Kaller, who introduced me to the Coronado arts commission, and to racing and sailing out of Coronado Yacht Club. Her encouragement has been a catalyst in my volunteering for the arts commission and proudly racing the Kitty Muhl all women race. When I moved to San Diego as a naval spouse, Debs encouragement to get involved meant so much. You never feel like you fit in anywhere when moving around with the Navy, and I also never felt like a military spouse either, having met my husband whilst traveling and working solo an a foreign country. I was very independent before meeting my husband. Being a Naval spouse with children, I found it very difficult at first. Volunteering was a great way to get back out and build my confidence again. That is still a work in progress. Getting out into the public and selling my art is a continuation of that confidence building.

Website: https://www.CathySurgeonerDesign.com

Instagram: @cathysurgeoner

Linkedin: Cathy Surgeoner Deibler

Facebook: CathySuDes

Image Credits
Cynthia Sinclair
Steph Pate