TERRE HAUTE — Debbie Goodin is River City Art Association’s featured Artist of the Month throughout January in the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.

Goodin is a self-taught photographer whose interests lie in fine art nature and nature portrait photography.

Born and raised in Terre Haute, Goodin was always searching for outlets for her creativity which she found in several different forms.

From the time she was very young, she wanted to take pictures and dreamed of owning a professional camera.

She enjoyed art classes throughout many of her school years, and while sketching, painting and creating art projects, the image of a camera would be one of the main subjects.

Cake decorating is another of Goodin’s artistic interests which she has pursued and enjoyed for 15 years.

While these artistic outlets have all held her attention, photography has always been her true passion.

Though the desire to pursue a professional photography career was strong, Goodin chose to put that dream on hold for many years while raising her children.

She instead enjoyed photography as a hobby, and was often found with her eye to the viewfinder.

It wasn’t until recent years that she felt the time was right for her to make her long-time dream a reality.

While she displays her photos on many different types of medium, Goodin specializes in modern display options. Her signature style includes aluminum prints and mosaic tiles that she then floats off of a piece of coordinating acrylic to create beautifully realistic fine art pieces.

Goodin has won several awards and honors with her pictures and photo art pieces since taking her art to a professional level.

Most recently, two of her pictures won Honorable Mention in the Professional Category of the 2012 Trees Inc. photo competition, and the third entry was chosen to be part of the display in the Vigo County Public Library’s main branch.

One of her Signature Metal on Acrylic Fine Art pieces won third place in Photography category of the River City Art Association’s Summer Fine Art Show.

A permanent display of her fine art pieces can be viewed in Vonda’s Garden Studio located behind Heinl’s Flower Shop at 129 S. Seventh St. during normal business hours.

Goodin also is a member of Arts Illiana, and resides in Terre Haute with her husband and three children.