Deborah Friedman was born in Detroit, Michigan. She was educated at Cass Tech. High School and earned her M.F.A. at Wayne State University. She has worked at her painting in one form or another for most of her life. Friedman's work was and is greatly influenced by her surroundings. Her work deals with shape, form, and movement. The images reflect relationships, events and activities that are ongoing in her life.

Deborah enjoys working in her studio on a daily basis and continues to explore new avenues for her creativity. She feels it is her job to move the paint that she has and push it as far as she is able.