About Debra
Learn the Full Story About Debra and Hummingbird Whispers
Debra's Story
Every dream has a beginning. Mine began with a small box of watercolor paints.
When I was a little girl, my mother gave me my very first set of watercolors. There were only about ten colors, but to a little girl growing up in a family with modest means, they felt like a treasure chest. My mother loved watercolor painting, and with that simple gift, she unknowingly planted the seed for a lifelong passion. She didn’t just give me paints—she gave me confidence, encouragement, and a way to express the joy I carried in my heart.
Soon afterward, I received my first watercolor coloring book, Corduroy. I instantly fell in love with the gentle little bear and the beautiful story of kindness, friendship, and belonging. I spent hours carefully bringing each page to life with color, imagining every scene beyond the paper. To my surprise and delight, I won a small prize for one of my illustrations. Although the award was small, it was a huge moment for a young girl who had discovered the happiness that creating art could bring.
What I treasured most, however, wasn’t the prize. It was watching my family smile as they admired my paintings. Their love, encouragement, and belief in me became the foundation of everything I create today.
Life has a way of taking us on unexpected journeys, but through every season, watercolor has remained close to my heart. It reminds me that beauty often begins with something simple—a brush, a few colors, and a little faith.
That is how Hummingbird Whispers by Debra was born.
Every card I paint is created by hand with love, gratitude, and the hope that it will brighten someone’s day. Hidden within each design is a tiny hummingbird. Some are easy to find, while others are tucked quietly into the artwork. The hummingbird is more than my signature—it is a symbol of hope, joy, resilience, and the gentle reminder that even the smallest moments can carry the greatest blessings.
My parents, John and Eva, taught me another lesson that has stayed with me throughout my life: when you are blessed, you bless others. Their generosity and kindness inspired the heart of this business. That is why a portion of every purchase helps support charitable organizations that make a difference in the lives of others. Giving back isn’t simply part of my business—it is part of who I am.
My prayer is that each card does more than deliver a message. I hope it encourages someone, comforts someone, celebrates someone, or reminds them that they are loved. If one of my paintings brings a smile, offers hope during a difficult season, or becomes a treasured keepsake, then my mother’s little box of watercolor paints continues to do exactly what she intended many years ago.
Thank you for visiting Hummingbird Whispers by Debra. Thank you for supporting handmade art, believing in small acts of kindness, and becoming part of my story.
I hope every card you share becomes part of someone else’s beautiful story, too.
My Background in Education and Art
My love for education and the arts was first inspired by my parents, John and Eva, who instilled in me a deep appreciation for beauty, learning, and curiosity. In elementary school, I was fortunate to be educated by the Sisters of Christian Charity, an experience that strengthened both my academic foundation and my values. I later pursued my studies at Indiana University, earning both my B.S. and M.Ed., and completed my Ed.D. at Saint Louis University. Along the way, my artistic development was shaped through private instruction with talented artists who nurtured my creative expression.
Art and literature have always been central to who I am. Growing up, my parents encouraged an early and lasting appreciation for the art world—its stories, its emotion, and its ability to connect people across time and place. That foundation stayed with me throughout my life and career, even as I moved through different roles and responsibilities.
When I lived in Kansas City, Missouri, I was surrounded by a vibrant museum culture and a thriving artistic community. As a mother of three, I made it a priority to share that world with my children—visiting galleries, exploring exhibits, and encouraging curiosity through creative experiences that brought learning to life.
In my early years as an elementary teacher, I worked closely with children’s literature and was passionate about connecting students with authors and illustrators, helping them understand that stories and images are created by real people with real inspiration. Through relationships with independent bookstores, I brought those connections directly into my classroom and community.
My professional journey eventually led me across the United States, where I worked with educators and advanced literacy initiatives. After earning my doctorate from Saint Louis University, I transitioned into higher education as a professor and later served as an academic dean. While those roles allowed me to shape learning on a broader scale, the creative spark in art and storytelling never left me.
Now, as Dean Emeritus and in this season of retirement, I have returned fully to painting—a practice that continues to ground and inspire me. I am fortunate to learn and grow under the guidance of private artist mentors, including my niece Ashley and my friend Scott, whose influence continues to enrich my work and my vision.
The Inspiration for Hummingbird Whispers by Debra
As the eldest of five children, I was blessed with loving, attentive parents who taught me early on to notice beauty in simple things. Gardening became part of that foundation—nurtured not only by my parents, but also by my grandparents. From roses to tomato plants, I spent my childhood immersed in the rhythm of growing things, learning patience, care, and quiet joy.
That love of gardening continued into my own family. My husband shares the same passion, and together we have passed it on to our children and grandchildren. Among all the wonders in the garden, hummingbirds have always felt especially magical. Whenever one appears, we pause—watching, listening, taking in the moment.
One memory captures that magic perfectly. One afternoon, my granddaughter accidentally left the back door open, and a hummingbird flew into our home. My husband and son were flustered, unsure how to guide it back outside. Then my youngest granddaughter softly said, “Whisper, Nonna, and it will be okay.” In that quiet moment, everything shifted. The hummingbird gently landed on my son’s hand, as if it understood.
Since then, every hummingbird feels like a message—a reminder of my parents, of love, and of calm reassurance. A whisper that everything is okay. That same spirit lives in every card I create: gentle, intentional, and filled with love.
The Magis Associates Connection
After retiring from a fulfilling career in K–12 education and higher education as a full professor and academic dean, I knew my journey of growth and service was not complete. With more than twenty-five years dedicated to teaching, mentoring, and supporting academic institutions through assessment and accreditation work, I founded Magis Associates, LLC to continue that mission in a broader way—helping others through consulting, mentorship, and institutional support. Rooted in the Latin word magis, meaning “more” or “greater,” Magis reflects a commitment to always give more in service, insight, and care.
Within this vision, Hummingbird Whispers by Debra serves as the digital arts arm of Magis Associates, LLC. Through watercolor cards and creative expression, I carry the same philosophy into a more personal and artistic space—always thinking of the recipient, their story, their challenges, and how a few thoughtful words or images might bring light to their day. In both consulting and creative work, Magis Associates and Hummingbird Whispers are united by a single purpose: to give more, love more deeply, and create meaningful connection in every interaction.
What is the meaning of the DAP signature?
Growing up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in a close-knit Italian family, names and language carried deep meaning. My grandparents spoke English as a second language, and my name—Debra—was chosen by my father so I could more easily write it alongside Pellegrino. Over the years, I was lovingly called many names—Debbie, Diby, Deb, Debora—but one memory stands out most. My Nana would send me letters in college, secretly tucking “L-O-V-E” throughout her words. In return, I began hiding “D-A-P” in my thank-you notes back to her—a quiet, shared code of affection between us. Today, that tradition lives on. Each Hummingbird Whispers card carries the DAP signature, a small, hidden reminder that love can be expressed in the gentlest, most personal ways.
Our Charitable Giving MIssion
With each purchase, a portion of proceeds from Hummingbird Whispers by Debra is donated to organizations that support those in need—local food pantries, shelters, and community-based care programs. Because a simple act of kindness can reach further than we often imagine.
As a mother, and now a Nonna, I have always believed that gratitude is not just a gesture, but a way of living. It is a practice that shapes how we see the world and how we show up in it. Gratitude creates a ripple effect—one small act at a time, carried forward in ways we may never fully see.
When I create watercolor cards through Hummingbird Whispers by Debra, a division of Magis Associates, LLC, I am always thinking of the receiver: their day, their story, and how a few thoughtful words might bring them comfort, joy, or encouragement. Each card is created with intention, as a quiet offering of presence and care.
I often carry these cards with me, tucked into my purse, ready for unexpected moments. I have left notes in hotel rooms to brighten a stranger’s day, and handed cards to grocery store cashiers as simple expressions of appreciation. These small exchanges remind me that gratitude belongs in everyday life—not reserved for special occasions, but woven into ordinary moments.
Perhaps what matters most, however, is what the giver receives. In offering thanks, we become more aware, more grounded, and more connected to one another. A card becomes more than paper and paint—it becomes a practice of intention.
Now, I pass this tradition on to my grandchildren. My granddaughters already receive these cards so they can experience the joy of giving, and soon my grandsons will receive their own bundles as well. It is an early invitation into a life rooted in gratitude, generosity, and connection.
A card may be small, but its meaning can last far beyond the moment it is given. Giving back to a variety of charities is my way of saying thank you—to life, to others, and to the quiet beauty found in everyday kindness.