Debbie Clapper

Born and raised in Ohio, Debbie Clapper (gneural) earned a BFA in graphic design from the Art Institute of Colorado. She lived in Colorado for 22 years, establishing herself in Denver / Boulder’s art and design community, and returned to Ohio in 2020 to be closer to family and reconnect with her midwest roots.

With her drawing style and technique, Debbie is self-taught. No rulers or compasses are used in her originals, giving every line a rhythmic, kinetic, and powerful pulse. She began honing her freehand skill at nine and hasn’t stopped drawing since.

Debbie’s work stands out. It’s bold. It’s unique. It has a playfulness that makes you want to dance (or at least crack a smile). She credits being a prolific artist (creating daily) and her style’s entrancing depth and dimensionality to her three main inspirations: Op Art, patterns, and graffiti.

Debbie’s art does more than hang on a wall—it transforms into an immersive experience with the collaboration of experiential software developer, Cacheflowe. Their works combine art and tech to create engaging installations that become delightfully active—and sometimes responsive—moving and transforming across various surfaces and spaces.

Debbie’s patterns and designs have elevated clients and brands such as Boulder Arts + Culture, City of Boulder, Hope Hummus, NINE dot ARTS, Pactimo, Rickshaw Bags, Smartwool, and Tom’s Urban 24. She’s been interviewed on several creative podcasts and has won awards for her art, designs, and illustrations. You can see her captivating work in murals, interior decor, drawings, and paintings, as well as on streets, vehicles, and all manner of objects and merchandise.

Debbie served as a member of Downtown Cleveland's City Advocates 2023 Cohort. The mission of the City Advocates is to create an inclusive, 24/7 global city and a welcoming beacon of talent that weaves Downtown Cleveland districts and surrounding neighborhoods into a seamless urban fabric.