Do You Think This Is Easy?

/

It’s time to share another card from my illustrated deck of affirmations–The 68 Secrets Of An Illuminated Artist–along with the painting behind the scenes. 

I created these cards of positive and encouraging words to empower your creative side. But of course, these affirmations can be applied to more than just painting!

Take a look at my previous blog posts for more about the meanings and paintings behind specific cards.

Having fun makes everything easier 

As noted above, this is a good one to apply to everything you do in life. It’s no mystery that having fun—enjoying what you do—is a key factor in one’s overall happiness.

Not only is it the best path for mental well-being, your outlook and attitude is reflected in what you produce. This is especially true when creating art. So even when I face a challenge while working on a painting, I embrace it, find the fun within it, and turn it into a positive.

This is easy!

I allow this project to be easy, fun, and enjoyable.

The painting behind this card

The backdrop of this card is a section of my original painting Tangerine. So right off the bat, this painting is in sync with the card’s message, as its title suggests a sense of warmth, sweetness, and maybe even a touch of playfulness.

Bursting with vibrant hues, the canvas is dominated by a bold, fiery orange that immediately draws the eye, contrasting with cooler tones of green and blue. 

The dynamic composition of organic shapes, dripping lines, and circles create a sense of movement and energy. The expressive brushstrokes evoke a feeling of joy and vitality. 

Together these elements create a visually stimulating and emotionally resonant artwork that exudes the “make it fun” ethos, which is why I chose it for this card.

Testimonials for ‘The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist’

“Impressive! I love this deck because it is meaningful and visually beautiful. The insights open new roads to consider, and this is very useful for artists …and to others. I use it with friends to open a circle of conversation, or in my work as an artist to connect on a deeper level with my work. I highly recommend it.”

– Tyrrell Clarke, Artist

How to get your own pack of inspirational cards

You can purchase your pack of cards online at The Game Crafter or in the following retail stores:

  • Surrey Art Gallery Gift Shop

  • Free Spirit Gallery, Gabriola Island, BC

  • Iron Oxide Art Supplies Nanaimo

  • Blackberry Gifts in Ucluelet, BC

  • Page's Inn & Marina Bookstore, Gabriola Island

Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

This card features a section of my abstract painting Tangerine. Not only is the original still available for purchase, it is also framed and signed. 

You can see the full painting and buy custom reproductions on Saatchi Art here:

https://fwf0.short.gy/tangerine 

Reproduction prints on Saatchi Art are available in 3 formats:

Fine Art Paper

310 GSM, 100% cotton linters, archival quality, natural white finish with a slightly structured, soft-textured surface.

Metal

Specialized inks infused into specially coated, thin, high gloss aluminum sheets. Exhibit mounted on 2mm black Styrene and finished with a black Metal Inset Frame.

Canvas

Museum grade, matte textured (20.5 mil), bright white, poly-cotton blend with no additives and no agents.

This is Why I Never Take it Personally

/

I’d like to share another card from The 68 Secrets Of An Illuminated Artist, my illustrated card deck of positive and encouraging words to bolster your creativity. Go to earlier posts to see and read about the first and second cards that I’ve chosen to write about so far.

Like water off a duck’s back

As with many of my cards, this can apply to many aspects of life in general. But this one is vitally important as an artist, for it’s a basic truism that creatives need a thick skin.

Art is subjective, so everyone who views any artwork is going to have an opinion about it. And those opinions are going to vary greatly.

People like different things. And not everyone likes or appreciates—or understands—abstract art. So if somebody comments negatively about my artwork, I’m not going to let it hinder my progress as an artist. It has no bearing on what I value and what I’m trying to achieve creatively and professionally.

Selecting a card from the deck of "The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist" by Deb Chaney

I never take it personally.

Comments about my artistic work reflect the speaker… not me. I stay true to my goals and aspirations.

The painting behind this card

The backdrop of this card is a section of my original painting Clearing Fear. The painting is part of my Pure Abstraction series, which is inspired by the divine experience and feeling I get when surrounded by nature. The original artwork is an acrylic mixed media painting on canvas measuring 36” x 48”.

This painting also appears in the Netflix series The Imperfects, which you can read more about in a previous post.

Testimonials for ‘The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist’

“Absolutely love these cards! I have it placed on my coffee table and it has been a great conversation starter. I find the words very inspiring and apt for the moment. As an admirer of Deb’s work, I am proud that I own a small pieces of her spiritually inspired healing work of art, that bring me joy and help me stay in the present.”

– Suman Sengar

How to get your own pack of inspirational cards

You can purchase your pack of cards online at The Game Crafter or in the following retail stores:

  • Surrey Art Gallery Gift Shop

  • Free Spirit Gallery, Gabriola Island, BC

  • Iron Oxide Art Supplies Nanaimo

  • Blackberry Gifts in Ucluelet, BC

  • Page's Inn & Marina Bookstore, Gabriola Island

Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

This card features a section of Clearing Fear. While the original has being purchased, you can see the full painting and buy custom reproductions on Saatchi Art here: https://fwf0.short.gy/clearing-fear-p

Reproduction prints on Saatchi Art are available in 3 formats:

Fine Art Paper

310 GSM, 100% cotton linters, archival quality, natural white finish with a slightly structured, soft-textured surface.

Metal

Specialized inks infused into specially coated, thin, high gloss aluminum sheets. Exhibit mounted on 2mm black Styrene and finished with a black Metal Inset Frame.

Canvas

Museum grade, matte textured (20.5 mil), bright white, poly-cotton blend with no additives and no agents.

Embrace The Power Of The Great Outdoors

/

This week I’m continuing the new type of post I started last month in which I choose one of the cards from my deck of illustrated affirmations. This one is really important to me and my process—but it’s even applicable far beyond art. For any creative process, or simply your emotional and physical well-being, this card’s message is an important one.

The power of getting outside

I’m fortunate to live on beautiful Gabriola Island, so I’m literally surrounded by nature—and the ocean—and all I need to do is step outside.

And looking at my artwork, you can see that nature is an important part of it. So much of it is not only inspired by nature itself, but by memorable moments I’ve experienced in the outdoors as well, such as Where (Forest and Beach) Become One.

I spend time in nature.

I am refreshed artistically when I am in the outdoors and connect with mother earth. I hike a trail… walk next to a river… sit in a park and watch the clouds… snowshoe in a forest.

While exploring the great outdoors is easier for some than others, even a stroll to a park down the street—just stepping outside for some air—can free your mind and reinvigorate your spirit.

The backdrop of this card feature part of a painting called Ignore Reality which is from my Pure Abstraction Series. The abstract acrylic painting has torn book pages collaged into it and further texture added with layers of sand.

It is the divine experience and feeling I get from being in nature that inspires Pure Abstraction. From glaciers to mountain peaks to quiet streams, watching the river flow over rocks. This series of abstract paintings is my interpretation of my relationship with nature.

Ignore Reality by Deb Chaney (48”x 48”)

Testimonials for ‘The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist’

“Wow. I love these cards...when I get 'stuck' I spread out the cards on the table and randomly pick one...it's always the ‘right’ one...and once again I am re-connected to myself and the Flow of Creativity.”

– Tim Sullivan, Artist

How to get your own pack of inspirational cards

You can purchase your pack of cards online at The Game Crafter or in the following retail stores:

  • Surrey Art Gallery Gift Shop

  • Free Spirit Gallery, Gabriola Island, BC

  • Iron Oxide Art Supplies Nanaimo

  • Blackberry Gifts in Ucluelet, BC

  • Page's Inn & Marina Bookstore, Gabriola Island

Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

This card features a section of Ignore Reality. You can see the full painting and buy custom reproductions on Saatchi Art here:

https://fwf0.short.gy/ignore-reality-o

Reproduction prints on Saatchi Art are available in 3 formats:

Fine Art Paper

310 GSM, 100% cotton linters, archival quality, natural white finish with a slightly structured, soft-textured surface.

Metal

Specialized inks infused into specially coated, thin, high gloss aluminum sheets. Exhibit mounted on 2mm black Styrene and finished with a black Metal Inset Frame.

Canvas

Museum grade, matte textured (20.5 mil), bright white, poly-cotton blend with no additives and no agents.

Do You Know How to Make it Fun?

/

To change things up (and add some fun!) I want to add this new kind of post to my blog. 

Back in January of this year I gave an Update on The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist, which is the set of illustrated affirmation cards I created. 

Each card features one of 68 positive messages I use for motivation, inspiration, and general well-being. But rather than talk about the deck as a whole, I’d like to hone in and get a bit more focused. So each of these “illuminated posts” will highlight a single card and reflect on its meaning or message.

Make it fun!

What better way to kick of this series than with one of the most important messages of all?

Make it fun!

When I’m stuck I add some sparkle. Making it fun gets my creativity flowing.

The backdrop of this card is very fitting as it features a painting from my Little Gems Series. Not only do I use these paintings to hone my artistic skills and practice new techniques, I paint them first and foremost for joy and fun!

With many things, but art in particular, it can be easy to discern whether the artist was having fun or not during the creative process.

If you’re not enjoying the creative process, there’s a good chance that’s going to come across on the canvas–or whichever medium you’re using.

I might add sparkles–literally–or sand or collaged books pages or wrapping paper. Look around and you’ll be surprised by all of the things that can add some pizzazz.

Testimonials for ‘The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist’

This set of artist inspirational cards are a hit with my customers. They appeal to artists and beyond. I have a sample set out and rarely does someone pass by without reading out a card that resonates with them. I've even had grandparents buy them for their grandchildren as they offer such profound life wisdom. I'd definitely recommend these to any retailer out there!

Free Spirit Gallery & Shop

How to get your own pack of inspirational cards

You can purchase your pack of cards online at The Game Crafter or in the following retail stores:

  • Surrey Art Gallery Gift Shop

  • Free Spirit Gallery, Gabriola Island, BC

  • Iron Oxide Art Supplies Nanaimo

  • Blackberry Gifts in Ucluelet, BC

  • Page's Inn & Marina Bookstore, Gabriola Island

Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

This card features a section of Christmas on Gabriola Island. You can see the full painting and buy custom reproductions on Saatchi Art here:

https://www.saatchiart.com/print/Painting-Christmas-on-Gabriola-Island/499285/8480800/view 

Reproduction prints on Saatchi Art are available in 3 formats:

Fine Art Paper

310 GSM, 100% cotton linters, archival quality, natural white finish with a slightly structured, soft-textured surface.

Metal

Specialized inks infused into specially coated, thin, high gloss aluminum sheets. Exhibit mounted on 2mm black Styrene and finished with a black Metal Inset Frame.

Canvas

Museum grade, matte textured (20.5 mil), bright white, poly-cotton blend with no additives and no agents.

5 Beautiful Wearable Artworks Perfect For Summer

/

The Flower Cup ii Catherine Full-zip Active top by Deb Chaney

With summer right around the corner, I would like to share some of my favourite summer pieces on Le Galeriste. 

In case you’ve missed it here on my blog or in my Studio Updates newsletter, Le Galeriste is a Montreal-based company that creates wearable art. The Canadian company partners with artists to produce high-quality original art on premium clothing and accessories.

The original art pieces below are currently available at Le Galeriste and perfect for the coming season.

My top 5 wearable artworks for summer

My collection on Le Galeriste has grown to over 300 pieces of original wearable art. It includes skirts, shirts, leggings, scarves, bags, and more.

Here are 5 of my favourites for summer:

My wearable art Spring Collection

If you’re looking for something to wear right now, as mentioned in an earlier post, I have created a Nature Inspired Collection for springtime. It consists of emerald greens, forests, and earthy motifs.

The wearable art collection includes shirts, pants, dresses, jumpsuits, and more. There are more than 110 items to choose from in the collection, which you can scroll through here: 

https://www.legaleriste.com/en/deb.chaney/Nature%20Inspired-deb.chaney

About Le Galeriste Arte a Porte: 

Le Galeriste is the fusion of art and high fashion. The wearable art gallery showcases exclusive works of art from some of the world’s most respected artists, produced on high-end clothing made in Montreal (Canada) in limited and numbered editions.

Le Galeriste’s curators work with the gallery’s signed artists on a selection of artworks and set the artistic intent of the collaboration. The designers then place the art on the wearable canvasses (dress, blouse, button-down shirt, etc.). 

The creations are grouped into bimonthly exhibitions presented to the Collectors via their online gallery, on Instagram, and on their Facebook page.

My wearable art Spring Collection and more

/

Forest Flow by Deb Chaney as a Zippered Top

If you’ve been following my blog–or receiving my Studio Updates newsletter–you’re probably aware of my partnership with Le Galeriste. 

For the uninitiated, Le Galeriste is a Canadian wearable art gallery based in Montreal that produces original art on premium clothing and accessories.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of my favourite original art pieces currently available at Le Galeriste.

A selection of wearable art favourites

My collection on Le Galeriste has grown to over 300 pieces of original wearable art. It includes skirts, shirts, leggings, scarves, bags, and more.

Here are 5 of my favourite wearable art pieces right now:

You can see a sample of each piece in the gallery below and click the pictures to go to Le Galeriste for all the details.

My new Spring Collection of wearable art

I have also created a new collection for Spring! My Nature Inspired Collection is perfect for the new season and consists of emerald greens, forests, and earthy motifs.

The wearable art collection includes shirts, pants, dresses, jumpsuits, and more. There are more than 110 items to choose from in the collection, which you can scroll through here: 

https://www.legaleriste.com/en/deb.chaney/Nature%20Inspired-deb.chaney

About Le Galeriste Arte a Porte: 

Le Galeriste is the fusion of art and high fashion. The wearable art gallery showcases exclusive works of art from some of the world’s most respected artists, produced on high-end clothing made in Montreal (Canada) in limited and numbered editions.

Le Galeriste’s curators work with the gallery’s signed artists on a selection of artworks and set the artistic intent of the collaboration. The designers then place the art on the wearable canvasses (dress, blouse, button-down shirt, etc.). 

The creations are grouped into bimonthly exhibitions presented to the Collectors via their online gallery, on Instagram, and on their Facebook page.

More Than A Splash Of Colour With Wearable Art

/

I would like to take this opportunity to send my love and gratitude to Ms. Hélène Bourgie Dubois of Mont-Tremblant, Québec for her recent purchases. She bought several wearable art pieces with my artwork as their featured design.

Thank you!

My collection of wearable art is growing

My collection on Le Galeriste now includes over 200 pieces of wearable art. From skirts and leggings to shirts and scarves, you can be covered from head to toe.

You can browse by item type or see what’s available for my specific pieces of original abstract artwork. Browse through the gallery below for just a few examples of the items available.

About Le Galeriste Arte-a-Porter

Le Galeriste is the fusion of art and high fashion. The wearable art gallery showcases exclusive works of art from some of the world’s most respected artists, produced on high-end clothing made in Montreal (Canada) in limited and numbered editions.

Le Galeriste’s curators work with the gallery’s signed artists on a selection of artworks and set the artistic intent of the collaboration. The designers then place the art on the wearable canvasses (dress, blouse, button-down shirt, etc.). 

The creations are grouped into bimonthly exhibitions presented to the Collectors via their online gallery, on Instagram, and on their Facebook page.

You can also go directly to the Deb Chaney Home Page on Le Galeriste.

Check Out My New Painting In The Winter Art Show

/

I’m excited to share that my original abstract artwork is part of the Winter Small Works Art Show at Free Spirit Gallery here on Gabriola Island.

I have one painting featured in the show, which is titled Everything You Need is Here. 

About the Winter Small Works Group Show

To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Free Spirit Gallery, the gallery showcased sultry songstress Sarah Osborne to perform at the art exhibit’s opening evening. (You can see Sarah’s Instagram here.) I have included a couple of photos from the opening event below.

The Winter *Small Works* Group Show features artwork by 25+ local artists. Participating artists include: 

The art exhibit details are as follows:

Where: Free Spirit Gallery of Gabriola Island

Address: 590 N Rd, Gabriola, BC, Canada

Website: https://www.freespiritstudio.ca/ 

Intagram: @free_spiritgallery

When: December 12, 2023 to January 6th, 2024

Event page: https://www.freespiritstudio.ca/event-details-registration/winter-small-works-group-show-opening-soiree 

About this painting

I have one original artwork featured in the show. The abstract painting is called Everything You Need is Here. The square canvas has thick layers of rusty browns and earth tones beneath layers of light blues and white.

Sacred geometry stencils of the Circle of Life are repeated throughout the painting.

The mixed media on canvas painting measures 16" x 16" x 1.5".

The sale price for this original abstract painting is $850. Please contact the gallery for more information about purchasing this piece of artwork for your collection.

Free Spirit Gallery

Phone: (250) 247-0197

Email: info@freespiritstudio.ca 

Look at What ElephantStock Did With My Art!

/

I Remember To Meditate by Deb Chaney

I’m excited to share that I have joined forces with ElephantStock online art gallery. They are now carrying reproductions of my artwork in various stunning wall art layouts and designs. These include canvas, multi-panel canvas, framed canvas, posters, and art prints.

A little bit about ElephantStock

The company is based in Texas and sells art worldwide, while all its products are made in the USA. All of the wall art they sell has been specifically curated by a small team passionate about decor and design.

Their user-friendly website lets you browse for art in a variety of ways. Naturally, you can look at what’s new and trending and selling the most. But what’s more interesting is that you can browse by subject, colours, rooms, styles, and more. And by artist, of course.

My onboarding process took place over several months earlier this year and started after I was approached by one of their representatives. We did an online interview with many questions that certainly piqued my interest. 

My favourite question was: What do you do on a rainy day? 

My answer was: I put on a rain jacket and boots and go for a beautiful walk in the rain. It’s one of my favourite things to do.

A few of my favourite things

The curator at ElephantStock chose many of my artworks to reproduce, and I love how they’ve gotten creative in the layout and made multi-panel paintings out of a single art piece. So I’d like to share my 3 favourite selections here. 

I Remember to Meditate

This painting reminds me of the story Tara Brach shares in her Dharma Talks about learning the Buddha sangha and the metaphor behind embracing this imperfection. 

AFX III

I love this painting because of the feeling of freedom and movement it creates. This was originally a small painting and, as I work on my new large-scale series, I aim to embody this flow and natural motion into my new works. This work inspires me to go to the studio and paint – and I love art like this that gets me back to painting again!

New Art II

I am so proud of this artwork and remember when I started painting this small series of paintings. I had just started cold-water ocean swimming year round, and I truly feel the water and the underwater world influenced the imagery, colours, and feel of these paintings.

Other Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

You can browse all of my abstract artwork available on ElephantStock here: https://www.elephantstock.com/collections/deb-chaney-wall-art. 

They have free shipping inside the US along with a 90-day return policy with no questions asked.

How to Get “Belindas Painting” at Bed Bath & Beyond

/

Belinda’s Painting by Deb Chaney (18” x 26”)

I’m excited to announce that a reproduction of my abstract artwork is now available at Bed Bath & Beyond. (Of course, this is the new online retailer, not the big box chain that shut down!)

About This Painting

When my daughter was little, we'd walk through giant stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, IKEA, and Pottery Barn. I would ask her to imagine with me and picture reproductions of my artwork hanging in the model rooms, available for purchase in these international stores.

Well, my friends, sometimes dreams do come true. I present to you a beautiful little painting I created while working at Braid Street Studios in New Westminster, BC before the pandemic. 

During that period, I had a wonderful student coming to me for private lessons to learn abstract mixed-media painting. This painting was inspired by her – and titled Belindas Painting – then purchased by another artist-in-residence. 

Now, it is really great to see it available here for others to enjoy as well!

The painting measures 18” x 26” x 1.5” and is a giclee canvas hand-stretched and stapled over North American pine-wood bars. It is inset mounted in an elegant 2”-thick hardwood frame to create a floating illusion.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/Home-Garden/iCanvas-Belindas-Painting-by-Deb-Chaney-Framed/37088163/product.html?ostk=true 

My Artwork is Now on Pictufy

/

Abstract Artist Deb chaney on Pictufy

This post is to announce that I was invited to join the team at Pictufy, an online platform now offering reproductions of my abstract artwork.

Pictufy is a premium licensing service for artists and wall art resellers based in Stockholm, Sweden. They offer posters, canvases, and wall murals of fine art. As they focus on quality over quantity, they only accept 1% of the artworks submitted to them!

About These Paintings

There are currently 63 of my abstract paintings available on Pictufy. 

For my showcase, I specifically curated a collection of works that are textured, edgy, gestural, and “rough”. I’m quite pleased with my selections, so I’m really excited to share this online gallery with you.

I’ve written about some of the paintings before, such as in these blog posts on AFXo, Reclaiming II of II, and Becoming I of II. 

60 paintings in Deb Chaney's gallery on Pictufy

60 of 63 the Deb chaney paintings on Pictufy

Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

You can choose both the type of framing you want and the size of the artwork. This flexibility makes things a little easier when choosing fine artwork to fit your room or style.

Artwork Framing

Pictufy offers 3 types of framing for my artwork:

  • Canvas, image wrap

  • Canvas, white sides

  • Fine art print

Artwork sizes

Pictufy offers my artwork in 4 sizes:

  • 20 x 30 cm

  • 30 x 45 cm

  • 40 x 60 cm

  • 60 x 90 cm

Reclaiming ii of ii on Pictufy

My Collaboration With International Art Consultants

/
Contemporary abstract art painting by Deb Chaney

See With Original Purity by Deb Chaney (9” x 12”)

One of the most exciting opportunities I’ve been approached about recently is a collaboration with an art consultancy based in the UK. They found me through my collection at Saatchi Art online gallery, which has been a wonderful platform for bringing me together with collectors and people with an interest in contemporary abstract art.

Spreading Art Around the World

Peter Millard & Partners is a London-based international art consultancy that specializes in creating artwork schemes for hotels and luxury residences. They draw on everything from paintings to sculptures ranging in size from small to monumental.

With 30 years of experience in the art world, they work with interior designers, individuals, or hotel groups choosing artwork and planning unique layouts suitable for each location.

“Our ethos is to make each artwork enhance the interior adding dimension and vibrancy to each space.”
— Peter Millard and Partners

Their projects circle the world, with installations in Europe, The Middle East, Africa, and Japan, for clients such as Fairmont Hotels, Four Seasons, Marriott, and Sheraton, as well as many other high-end chains and smaller boutique hotels.

They chose 2 of my paintings for a new installation, so I’d just like to show my appreciation and mention what wonderful work they’re doing by brightening the world with art.

A Million Little Pieces of Art

The series of paintings that caught the attention of Peter Millard & Partners is closer to a dozen paintings than a million. But when I was painting the series, I’d just finished reading A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. The book’s protagonist is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, and when he finally decides to get better, he falls in love with the sanctuary, hope, and equanimity that he finds in the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (also spelled Laozi).

It really touched me, so I went out and bought a copy of the book. And still, to this day, I keep my copy of this little book of ancient Chinese wisdom on my nightstand. I love being able to open it up to any page, picking a phrase at random, and being open to the wisdom it has to offer. 

With the Tao Te Ching in mind, this series was inspired by the idea of simplicity, and all of the paintings in the series have titles based on phrases and excerpts from the book. The two paintings selected by the consultants at Peter Millard are both green, black, and white – very simple – with titles drawn from the Tao Te Ching: Through Sustained Activity and See With Original Purity.

The paintings are one of my “series within a series” in that they’re part of my Little Gems Series, which you’re probably familiar with if you’re a regular reader. I’ve written about them recently (such as here, here, and here) but in a nutshell, they’re small pieces – usually 9” x 12” – that I use to try out new techniques or practice old ones. And some of them result in real works of art!

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

Both original paintings are available to buy through Saatchi Art online gallery. Through Sustained Activity and See With Original Purity are both acrylic and ink on paper and measure 9” x 12” in size.

You can also order prints of both paintings and Saatchi Art offers multiple options to suit your personal tastes or needs. Prints can be on paper or canvas and are usually available in 4 sizes – to better fit your room. You can also choose to have it framed in white, black, or natural wood.

The “View In A Room” image gives you an idea of its size and lets you see what it looks like on a wall. But take it one step further with the “View in My Room” tool that lets you see what it looks like on your wall.

Original Painting "Silent Sky" Sold to a Local Artist

/

Silent Sky by Deb Chaney (9” x 12”)

Selling a painting is always an amazing feeling and I’m really grateful to each and every collector. But it’s the greatest honour when another artist purchases my artwork for their personal collection. It’s just on a whole other level when somebody who knows how to paint themselves chooses to become a collector. Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to give a big Thank You to my neighbour, friend, and fellow artist Waheeda Byron.

A Little Bit About the Collector

Waheeda Byron is a watercolour painter based on Gabriola Island. She paints with an informal local art group called Gabriola Palette People, which “was formed many years ago to provide an inclusive and creative art environment where members come together regularly to develop their artistic skills.” They meet once or twice a week, creating art with watercolours, acrylics, oil paints, or mixed media.

Aside from that, she’s currently in the process of painting a series of 20 watercolours for a book that she’s illustrating. The book is a collaboration with a school librarian who grew up in a Sikh family with six kids in East Vancouver. It’s a children’s book that she’s writing and Waheeda is doing the watercolour drawings that are reflecting back on “East Van” life in the 1970s, showing parts of her life and family life growing up.

While I was visiting and having tea with Waheeda, I had the privilege of seeing the progression of these incredible paintings that will be in the book. It’s truly wonderful to get to see this project she’s been working on for the better part of year (at least), while the woman writes the book.

I asked Waheeda why she chose Silent Sky and what she likes (or loves) about it, and she had a few things to say. First, was that she loves the simplicity of it. And then paired with that simplicity is the sense of drama observed in the landscape. She also said that it reminded her of where we live, here on Gabriola Island. She really loves the wet-on-wet technique and how the painting says so much, so simply, in just a few strokes.

About This Painting

Silent Sky is part of my Little Gems Series, which I’ve mentioned in previous posts (such as when a collector bought another one of my Little Gems called Rocky Mountain). I’ve been painting my Little Gems for years and they’re essentially a collection of small paintings I use to try new techniques and test my creativity. Not all of these artistic explorations become part of the collection, but a select few rise above to emerge as real works of art!

The painting is India ink on paper using a wet-on-wet technique, which – just as it sounds – involves using wet paint on top of a layer of wet paint or wet paper. It’s a quite austere black & white painting, which, as noted above, is partly what attracted Waheeda to it. And, like most of my Little Gems, it measures 9” x 12”. 

Similar Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

Silent Sky stands out in the Little Gems series as many of my paintings are acrylic or mixed media, but there are other ink paintings in the collection. Find the Red Dots and Something in the Air are both black India ink on paper, similar to Silent Sky, while Sun Scorched Earth and Roses in the Dust are orange and pink, respectively. You can also find more ink-on-paper paintings by browsing through the complete collection.

Saatchi Art offers multiple options to suit your personal tastes or needs. Prints can be on paper or canvas and are usually available in 4 sizes – to better fit your room. So while the original Silent Sky painting is 9” x 12”, your print can be the same size as the original or bigger – at sizes of 15” x 20”, 24” x 32”, or 30” x 40”. You have the further option to have it framed in white, black, or natural wood.

The “View In A Room” image on Saatchi Art should give you an idea of its size and lets you see what it looks like on a wall.

Donating Art for Gabriola Island's Annual Salmon BBQ Auction

/

Gabriola Island by Deb Chaney (9” x 12”)

I’ve donated a painting to the indispensable Gabriola Island Community Hall to be auctioned off at its annual fundraiser. The painting is called Gabriola Island and I and some other island artists were mentioned in our local paper, the Gabriola Sounder.

The 67th Annual Gabriola Community Hall Salmon BBQ

Our local community centre – the Gabriola Island Community Hall – is holding its 67th Annual Salmon BBQ on Saturday, August 13. The festivities include the salmon BBQ, as well as a raffle, live music, activities for kids, and the silent auction. There’s a beer & cider garden for the adults and play area for the kiddos.

The event starts at 4pm on Saturday and goes until 8pm. Tickets are just $20 for a salmon dinner with homemade salads, buns, watermelon, and more. They’re available at Colleen’s (our local home and fashion store), the Community Hall’s website, and at the event.

Gabriola Artists and Performers Contributing to the Event

Gabriola Island’s community is an incredible supporter of its artists and artisans. And as a way of giving back and supporting the seat of this small, close-knit populace, local artists, artisans, and businesses have donated their goods or services to the fundraiser’s raffle and silent auction.

The painting I’ve donated is called Gabriola Island. It’s a 9” x 12” x 1.5” original mixed media piece on wood panel. I painted it years ago when I’d come to Gabriola Island on a retreat. Whenever I go away on a personal retreat, I have my beloved old leather satchel full of the art supplies needed to create small paintings. And this is one of the paintings to come from that. The ground layer of this painting is an old nautical map of the Gulf Islands surrounding the Salish Sea, with the text for Gabriola Island visible.

In addition to myself, other artists featured at the auction include Tammy Hugeon and Carolyn Bell.

Tammy Hugeon is a painter and glass artist “creating wild & soulful work” on the island. She’s a self-taught artist and was the BC Glass Art Award winner – twice! Her colourful, nature-inspired work includes mixed media paintings and large-scale sculptures of glass, steel, and wood. You can visit Tammy’s website to learn more about her and her work.

Carolyn Bell is a painter, writer, musician – and more! – based on the island. Her body of work includes a “heroic women” series of abstract paintings of Margaret Artwood, Julia Child, Ruth Bader Ginsburg styled as religious icons. You can see some of Carolyn’s work on her Facebook page, although the most recent update is from 2018.

The live music stage is set to include performances by Paul Gellman, Brooke Gray Harris, Sarah Osborne, Tom MacLachlan, Cursing Cousins, John Gresham and Friends, and Snake Island Railroad.

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

This section usually has links to where you can buy the original or prints of the painting mentioned in the post. But seeing as my painting Gabriola Island is up for auction in 2 weeks, the original is only available to the highest bidder.

However, you can order prints of Gabriola Island on Saatchi Art or find another original painting in my collection on Saatchi Art’s online gallery. 

Saatchi Art offers multiple options to suit your personal tastes or needs. Prints can be on paper or canvas and are typically available in 4 sizes to best fit your room. You can also choose to have it framed in white, black, or natural wood.

The “View In A Room” image gives you an idea of its size and lets you see what it looks like on a wall. But take it one step further with the “View in My Room” tool that lets you see what it looks like on your wall.

My “68 Secrets” Illustrated Card Deck is Available in 3 Brick & Mortar Stores

/

68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist on display at Page’s L’IL Market in Silva Bay

Last year I wrote and self-published a card deck of affirmations called The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist: How to Stay Inspired Despite Any Obstacle. The cards were initially available through a wonderful print-on-demand website called The Game Crafter, but they are now for sale in 3 brick & mortar stores.

The Inspiration for Creating Affirmation Cards

The creation of this affirmation card deck was a 10-year project in that it is the culmination of a decade of introspective journaling. Over the course of those 10 years, I’d written notes in my journals reflecting on how – despite raising my daughter on my own and enduring my own periods of mental unwellness – I was able to keep painting art, teaching workshops, and exhibiting my artwork. 

I was able to continue working toward my goals as an artist even though there were so many challenges and obstacles along the way.

Wanting to share what I’d learned and realized, I went back through my journals and picked out the 68 most prevalent inspirations, ideas, and lessons that I felt really supported me in staying creative.

With those 68 insights in hand, I collaborated with a retired English teacher in Oregon and she helped me edit and organize them into these wonderful succinct cards with the main caption and a descriptor below it.

For the second phase of the project, this past year I went through the process of selecting 68 original abstract art pieces to go behind the captions. Each piece of artwork was very consciously chosen to correspond to the captions and the message each card imparts. There are some incredible stories and connections, and it’s really fun to see how the art is supporting the words.

It’s been a long-term project and is something I’m so proud of and I’m very excited to see it go out into the world. So, seeing it move from online-only into tangible, real-world stores is quite the thrill.

Where to Buy The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist

The first store is Iron Oxide Art Supplies, which is just a quick ferry ride away in Nanaimo, British Columbia. They’re located in the gorgeous historic Old Firehall Building and carry a fantastic selection of art supplies, from paints to canvas to clays, and everything in between.

The second store is Li’l Market at Page’s Resort and Marina, here on Gabriola Island. It’s located in the serene Silva Bay, at the southeast end of the island. what began as a fish camp and store in the 1940s evolved into a full-service resort. They are steadfast supporters of the island’s creative community, boasting over 400 titles written, illustrated, or published by Gabriolans.

The third store is the shop in Free Spirit Gallery Studio & Shop, also on Gabriola Island, which I mentioned in a blog post earlier this month. They opened just near the end of last year and are a wonderful addition to the community, showcasing both established and emerging artists from the island.

If you don’t live in the area, you can also find the cards online at The Game Crafter. They are a Wisconsin-based company that makes board games and card decks on-demand, with an online store and an active online community of creatives.

Source: Page’s Resort

What Others Have to Say About My Illustrated Affirmations

Hearing from people about what they like or appreciate about a piece of work is always satisfying and encouraging for an artist – or anyone, for that matter. So reading the positive comments about The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist on The Game Crafter’s online shop was truly touching and I’m thrilled to share some of them here. 

“Reading a card is a lovely, thought-provoking way to start the day.”
— Brindle
“A wonderful way to keep going when feeling stuck.”
— Kamila
“Well-crafted words of wisdom for your cosmic heart and creative soul.”
— Laterina S.
“I relate to every card in this deck and love the transformative power they hold.”
— Tonya T.

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

Most of the artwork I chose for the cards in The 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist are available for purchase – either the original artwork, or a print, or both – online at Saatchi Art.

Saatchi Art has a range of options to fit your individual preferences and needs. You can choose to have your prints on paper or canvas, and most are available in 4 sizes to fit any room. There is also an option to have it framed in white, black, or natural wood.

The “View In A Room” image gives you an idea of its size and lets you see what it looks like on a wall.