A Look At The Special Books Behind My Drishti Paintings

I would like to take this opportunity to mention the books that I read in support of my own healing journey and for guidance and inspiration in creating the Drishti Paintings.

Something truly special about this exhibit–that I've never experienced before–is the opportunity to show some of what goes on behind the scenes in these amazing glass cases that Emilia Douglas Gallery provided. 

I think that this is a really cool add-on to the exhibit because you can look at the paintings, then you get to see these behind the scenes details, such as tools, books and notes that went into creating the show.

I am surrounded by people who love and support me (12” x 16” x 2”), Mixed media on wood panel, framed by Deb Chaney. Please Email the artist info@debchaney.com to purchase original. Prints available

If you’ve been following my posts, you may recall that I went to an artist talk last year that made a strong impact on me. The artist said that when you see a painting, it's really just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many decisions and moments and ideas and layers that go into the final artwork. It's the same with research and there is so much that went into this series. It’s such a wonderful feeling and opportunity that I get to share this with you and viewers at the exhibit. 

In one of the glass cases at the exhibit, I have added a selection of books that I feel were foundational and instrumental in my understanding of well-being. These featured books, and many more I did not exhibit at the gallery, guided me on my quest to understand how to consciously create my own well-being.

Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

The first book is one that was given to me by my first mentor when I was 18. It’s called Women's Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Dr. Christiane Northrup, and when I first received it I was surprised by how big it was. But I just started reading it and it was revolutionary for me at the time.

This was in the early 2000s and, looking back, I think the key thing I got out of that book was realizing the connection between the connection between the mind and the body. What I thought or felt could be the root cause of something occuring in my body and if I were to change that thought–it would support my body’s healing.

Books by Caroline Myss

I then moved on to reading quite a lot of work by Dr. Caroline Myss, such as Anatomy of the Spirit, which is included in the glass case. A book that’s not on display, which I highly recommend, is her book Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can. It is essential reading for anyone in search of their own well-being.

The book explained how everything is energy and that it’s all stored in the body–in your etheric system and chakras. When you have experiences, if you don't heal or clear them, they're either supporting or hindering you in some way. And your body keeps a record, like it’s this big energetic bank account. However, you have sovereignty over this account, which means the more conscious you become of this energy system, the more you can develop and consciously become well.

Dr. Carolyn Myss is such an important contributor to the world of energy medicine. She's really an incredible author and guide for people, so I highly recommend her work.

The Code to Joy

The next book is from a course I was taking, and it's The Code to Joy by Dr. George Pratt. The book planted the seed for my decision to paint 7 paintings.

This book is about learning how to reprogram yourself for well-being. The author says that through his studies and observations, he recognizes that people who are unwell typically possess certain belief patterns or thinking patterns. They share an outlook pertaining to wellness, which he followed with a list of common proclamations. Things like “I don't feel safe in the world” or “I'm not worthy” or “I can't do this”. These were the exact opposite of the powerful positive affirmations that you see in my exhibit.

I was reading his lists of thought patterns and thought–Oh, my God!–if you flip them around, they’re directly related to the energy centres. If you embrace and create a belief system that’s the opposite of this negative outlook, it’s a path to well-being.

With this in mind, I went online and quickly learned that this is nothing new and a commonly held belief among healers. But to me it was revolutionary! This is why and how the decision for 7 paintings, 7 affirmations, and 7 colours focused on 7 chakras came about.

Books by Anodea Judith

There are 2 books by Anodea Judith, Eastern Body, Western Mind and Wheels of Life, that offer everything you could possibly want to know about your chakras. They served as a guideline for each chakra as I planned each painting. (They were also a bit of a rabbit hole that I had to force myself to put aside and do some painting!)

The Flower of Life

The last books included in the display at my exhibit are the 2 volumes of The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life by Drunvalo Melchizedek. If you’ve been following my blog posts or getting my newsletter, you know that these books have been a great influence on this series. 

These volumes not only prompted me to choose the Fibonacci sequence as the composition for these paintings, but helped me understand the power and the meaning of this sacred geometry symbol, the flower of life.

Once you go through your own healing journey, you get to a place where you feel okay. You’ve embodied these affirmations, you have good health, and you feel good in the world. When you reach this place, you’re open to the next thing. You’re asking “What’s next?” And I feel like these books are answering this question of what else is out there. And while that’s beyond the scope of this series, these books were instrumental in my getting to know and appreciate sacred geometry.

I hope that you find some inspiration and joy and value in the books I’ve read to support me in creating this series about my well-being.

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

My Collaboration With International Art Consultants

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.