A Drishti Painting Focus: I Am Safe
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Deb Chaney and James Teshima standing with I Am Safe (2024)
The first large painting in my series of Drishti Paintings is called I Am Safe. The original abstract artwork measures 5’ x 4’ x 1.5” and is part of this series of 7 paintings that each represent a chakra or energy centre.
It is currently on display at Amelia Douglas Gallery at Douglas College in New Westminster until January 2025.
The root of it all
With this first painting we are looking at the root chakra–the base energy that each one of us has at the bottom of our body. When we are healthy in this chakra, we’re rooted in the earth and grounded, making us feel safe and secure.
We have a sense of peace about being here in the physical world and the title of this painting–I Am Safe–is a powerful affirmation that encapsulates the frequency of well-being in that energy centre.
Conversely, when we are not holding a frequency of well-being in the first chakra, we can have ailments and things in our life can indicate that we’re out of balance in this area.
I Am Safe by Deb Chaney (4’ x 5’ x 1.5”)
The elements of focus
The whole point of each large Drishti painting is having a focus–which is represented by a colour. In this particular painting red is the focal point and the affirmation in the title, I Am Safe, is the focus. That dominant colour and the title affirmation is your drishti (focus).
Focusing on these 3 words may seem incredibly simple, but it’s a truly powerful practice. If you can keep your mind focused on a frequency of “I Am Safe” for 17 seconds, you create an energetic frequency and trajectory, and you’re going to perpetuate more feelings of well-being and safety in your life. You can literally change your vibration and therefore your physical well-being by focusing your thoughts.
Choosing a positive perspective ties into the series as a whole as your mind and your focus are so incredibly powerful. And this applies to each of the paintings in the series.
Looking at this painting specifically, it has all the elements of a Drishti Painting in that there are 3 main elements that I always aim to incorporate. One is space, which you can see in the use of positive and negative space here. The second is the minty, light blue-green background used to contrast the main colour red so it really stands out. The whole idea is that you’re focused on that red energy.
And third, there’s the sacred geometry of the Flower of Life, which represents connections.
Finding divine focus in the Fibonacci sequence
If you’ve read my earlier posts, you’ll know that I’ve based the composition of the Drishti Paintings on the Fibonacci sequence. And when I would show up to the canvas with these parameters ready to go, the focal point is like a big surprise.
In all my years of painting I’ve never approached the canvas thinking, “I’m going to paint a heart.” But when I stepped back from this painting, I realized I was looking at a physical heart. A real human heart. And when you map it out according to the Fibonacci sequence, if it were overlaid on a human body, the focal point is the heart.
There is a bounty of spiritual knowledge and research about the heart being the centre of everything. Researchers in organizations such as HeartMath have been looking at how the heart has its own intelligence and how it perceives things more quickly than the brain.
According to Drunvalo Melchizedek in Journeys into the Heart, when meditating, you go inside your heart and everything you’ve been looking for is there. Your purpose and meaning in life is encoded in your heart, and meditation opens a doorway to a world within your heart. And I find this fascinating because to me this painting looks like a heart.
Applying the first layer of ‘I am Safe’
My personal journey
This all ties in with my personal journey as these Drishti Paintings are capturing the frequency of my well-being. I’ve done all of this healing and I want to share with the world that it is possible to heal. And the main takeaway is finding a connection with yourself and that meditating is the most potent, powerful thing that you do.
While working on each of these large paintings, I was surrounded by affirmations about what it means to feel safe in the world. What it means to feel good and grounded and be in a state of well-being. And all of these relate to the first chakra.
Many spiritual guides encourage you to put your hand on your heart, for it synergizes your mind with your heart and creates a powerful resonance. So during my walks outdoors I would put my hand on my heart and say to myself, “I'm safe in this universe and all life loves and supports me.”
When I finished this painting, I was looking at it and there was a moment when it hit me–the focal point of this painting, this big red blob, actually looks like a human heart. (And also a bit like brains.)
And since embarking on the creation of this series, and learning so much about well-being, I try to live each day and approach every challenge with my heart, as best as I can. I often ask myself: How can I see this person or situation with love? But this painting is really about I Am Safe, so I put my hand on my heart and I remind myself that I'm safe in this world and all beings and all life supports and loves me. And this is what I wish for everyone who views this painting.
Show Information
The Drishti Experience – Capturing the Frequency of My Well-Being
Deb Chaney, Solo Exhibit, Amelia Douglas Gallery
November 7, 2025 – January 9, 2025
Seven large scale mixed media abstract paintings by Deb Chaney. Her latest work is inspired by her desire to experience and visually express the frequency of her well-being. This series sheds light on the link between healing mental illness and developing spiritual consciousness.
Location
Amelia Douglas Gallery
Fourth Floor North, Douglas College
700 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3M 5Z5
Gallery Hours
Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM–7:30 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Gallery Website