For this ‘Extreme’ artist, generosity is the norm

Early last month, viewers of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” were given a glimpse at the life of a deserving East Setauket family. They also got a peak at the colorful work of Debbie Viola, a local artist who often donates her work to Long Island charities and organizations.

Viola is a Massapequa Park artist who specializes in faux finishes and mural art for homes and businesses.

Viola said she has been painting and finishing since 1998, when she convinced her husband to let her try to paint their remodeled bathroom. She said everyone, including their contractor, was so impressed by the quality of her work that she decided to give up her career as a legal secretary and start Custom Murals & Finishes by Debbie Viola.

Viola also donates her art to charity. She has painted murals on the walls and ceilings of Mt. Sinai Children’s Hospital, donated paintings to display at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park and painted a beach scene on the walls of the waiting room at Hope for Youth, the largest foster care organization on Long Island.

“I feel like I was so lucky to discover my gift that I feel I just have to share it,” she said.

Viola provided faux finishes for much of the furniture given to the Lutz family, the “Extreme Makeover” family comprised of six adopted children with Down syndrome and their oldest sister. Viola also painted murals throughout the house.

Viola is currently working on pieces to be sold at a Nov. 9 fundraiser to benefit the Susan Satriano Memorial Foundation, which provides scholarships to college-bound children whose parents are suffering from or have died of cancer.

For more information on the event, call 516-731-0199.

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