About the artist Debbie Hayes

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     Hi, my name is Debbie Gotelli Hayes Ronayne and I love to paint.  It all started when I was in my 20's and I painted a special memory while going through a difficult time in my life. A good friend of mine who I have come to realize, was brought into my life for a reason, became very ill with cancer and lost his vision.  While he was blind he took me to Yosemite for my 1st visit and showed me this beautiful place through his heart, and this is when I fell in love with Yosemite, my magical place.  After he left this earth, I came home one night missing him and decided to paint a picture of Half Dome.  Painting this brought me to a magical place of serenity and this is where my love for painting began.  I painted 3 more paintings before I had children, then put my artistic self on hold while I raised my family.  A few years ago I got the motivation to paint again, and we built Bella Arte Studio in our backyard, and this is where my creative self has emerged once again!  

     I am the adventurous type and enjoy the outdoors.  If I'm not in my Bella Arte Studio, you can find me riding my mountain bike on Mt. Tam, road cycling West Marin or hiking the trails out my backdoor.  I find my artistic self when I am doing these things I love.

     I have 2 beautiful children Nicole and Timmy who bring so much happiness and joy into my life. I recently became a Nonni to my granddaughter Avery 💗 she is the sweetest girl ever and I am so grateful for this beautiful blessing.   Nicole is a sweetheart and has her own artist abilities and I am so proud of her.  She is my best friend and I am so grateful to have this beautiful girl in my life.   My son Timmy is my special buddy and very special in so many ways..  He was born with a genetic condition called Fragile X Syndrome and is also on the Autistic Spectrum.  Though it hasn't always been an easy adventure raising a child with special needs, I  feel very fortunate to have been give this privilege to raise this special child.  He has taught me stronger faith and richer love and I know why my God has given him to me.  I am one lucky mom to have these 2 beautiful children in my life.   I am very happily married to my forever best friend Mark.  He is my forever soul mate and inspires me daily to be myself and live the life that I enjoy living.