5 minute read
Debbie Fernandes - advocates for Goan integration in the Netherlands.
Hailing from the beautiful South Goa village of Rangalli in Baradi-Velim is Debbie Fernandes, a young Goan artist who has been enthralling art lovers with her brilliant works of art. Apart from being an artist, Debbie also works for an agency in the Netherlands that assists Goans in obtaining jobs and settling down in the country.
Her Journey As An Artist
After completing her schooling, Debbie completed her B.Sc. in Animation and VFX through distance learning. She also pursued her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, (specializing in mural design) from the Goa College of Art at Altinho-Panjim.
Most of Debbie's works of art are either on religious themes or based on personal experiences from her life. Some of her prominent artworks are “Render” which was showcased at the 4th edition of the Students’ Biennale art exhibition which was organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation in 2021. Debbie has also designed the Stations of the Cross installation
The artwork seen on the main altarpiece at the famous Holy Cross in Baradi as well as the Stations of the Cross installation at the same spot have also been designed by Debbie. In addition to this, Debbie runs her own art studio at her residence in Baradi. The studio is called De Artistic Bee Studio.
Apart from creating and designing works of art, Debbie also does logo design and other digital artwork for clients in India as well as in various parts of Europe.
Moving To Europe
Being an artist, Debbie always aspired to travel to different places and experience different cultures. Having been born before 1961 in Portuguese ruled Goa, Debbie’s parents managed to obtain Portuguese nationality for themselves and through them, Debbie obtained the same for herself. When Debbie made her decision to migrate to Europe, she had two countries in her mind where she wanted to settle down: Ireland and The Netherlands.
Somehow, she landed in Ireland. Over there, Debbie used to volunteer at a community center as an art instructor. Throughout her stay in the country, she had a good time and enjoyed a pleasant experience with the Irish people.
Her Move To The Netherlands
In 2020, Debbie received an offer to work as an intern for an artist in The Netherlands. She decided to take up the offer and contacted her school friend who was already working in The Netherlands. Her friend helped her to get a job and accommodation in the country.
She moved from Ireland to the Netherlands in May 2022 and settled down in Limburg, a region located in the southern part of the Netherlands. Debbie couldn't pursue her internship in the Netherlands as the place of work was far away from the place she was residing in. So, she decided to give up the internship and continue with her main job in the Netherlands.
While on a holiday in Goa last year, Debbie came across a post regarding a job opportunity in The Netherlands. She got in touch with a representative of the company who was based in Goa and gave an interview for the job. But when she met the CEO of the company in Goa, that's when everything changed for her.
The CEO of the company offered her a new role in the Netherlands. Debbie was assigned the responsibility to connect with Goans aspiring to migrate to the Netherlands and to help Goans arriving in the Netherlands to integrate into the country. She currently works as an onboarding coordinator, specifically for Goans. The company has a group on Facebook where Debbie gets to connect with members of the Goan community and assist them in settling in the Netherlands.
Debbie’s Art & More
Debbie Fernandes, a Goan artist, is charting a creative course across Europe, leaving her artistic imprint in various cultural landscapes. Her journey recently took her to Manchester, where she proudly represented Goan artistry at a local association event. There, she curated an art stall that not only displayed her diverse range of works but also highlighted a piece she holds especially dear. Debbie's art, characterized by its vibrant expression and connection to her Goan roots, continues to captivate and engage audiences in Europe, reflecting her dedication to her craft and her heritage. As she travels, Debbie's art becomes a bridge between communities, showcasing the richness of Goan art to an international audience.
Life In The Netherlands
Debbie says that she likes The Netherlands as it is a very eco-friendly country. There is a strong bicycle culture in The Netherlands, and it is also a land of some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. She also adds that one can live and work in the Netherlands without being proficient in Dutch since English is widely spoken in the country.
To those Goans planning to migrate to the Netherlands, Debbie says that the country is a very nice place to live and work. “If you live peacefully with the Dutch people and respect their culture, Goans can enjoy a nice and balanced life in the Netherlands”, she says.
Future Plans
Looking to the future, Debbie wants to continue with her passion for creating art that impacts a lot of people's lives. She plans to explore new styles of art, collaborate with other artists and constantly evolve her creativity.
With regards to work in Netherlands: dfernandes@otttoworkforce.eu
Contact no: +31 682053707
Artworks: deartisticbee22@gmail.com
Website:https://gnhkb9m9qv.wixsite.com/ debbiefernandes-1
Instagram: @_de_artistic_bee_studio_
