Paintings Donated to Gabriola Island's Annual Salmon BBQ

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Cultivate Your Goodness by Deb Chaney (4” x 6”)

Last summer I donated a painting to the wonderful Gabriola Island Community Hall to be auctioned off at its annual Salmon BBQ fundraiser. I absolutely love our beautiful, vibrant Gabriola community, and I feel so fortunate and am so grateful to live here. As my way of giving back, this year I am donating 3 paintings to the silent auction.

For this year’s auction, I created 3 little canvas pieces that work together but can stand alone specifically for this event. Each abstract painting is 4" x 6" x 1 1/4".

About the Paintings

These precious creations are a heartfelt expression of my love, gratitude, and passion for the enchanting Gabriola Island. It all began when I stumbled upon a newspaper clipping in The Sounder, highlighting a salmon barbecue event and soliciting donations. Filled with excitement, I embarked on a creative journey by incorporating snippets from The Sounder, using them as a foundation for my paintings.

As serendipity would have it, I also discovered a collection of maps, left on a stand in a free bookstore on our street. These maps, adorned with captivating images of the ocean and neighboring islands, felt perfectly fitting.

With deep chromium oxide green paint and dashes of blue, I carefully infused the canvases, allowing them to dry and set the stage for what was to come. Drawing inspiration from my tranquil forest walks on the island, I meticulously crafted silhouette images using organic materials I had gathered along the way. Each stroke and placement was guided by a profound sense of connection to the surrounding nature.

To bring everything together, a final coat of clear gloss adds a protective seal, reinforcing the unity of all the elements.

These creations are not only a gift to our community, but also a testament to the kindness, support, and profound sense of belonging I experience through life on this island. With sincere appreciation, I extend my deepest thanks.

The paintings up for auction are:

  • Cultivate Your Goodness (4" x 6" x 1 1/4" Mixed media on canvas)

  • Grow your Kindness (4" x 6" x 1 1/4" Mixed media on canvas)

  • Allow Your Inner Wild (4" x 6" x 1 1/4" Mixed media on canvas)

Allow Your Inner Wild by Deb Chaney (4” x 6”)

Grow Your Inner Kindness by Deb Chaney (4” x 6”)

About Gabriola’s Salmon BBQ Fundraiser

The 68th Salmon BBQ is being held Saturday, August 12th. It is the major fundraising event for the Gabriola Community Hall and includes 4 hours of local entertainment, a silent auction, a kids’ area, a raffle, and of course fresh, delicious salmon.

If you have time and would like to lend a hand, please contact Julie Stewart at gicha.salmonbbq@gmail.com.

If you would like to donate an item, please contact the organizers at salmonbbqfundraising@gmail.com.

The BBQ is held at the Gabriola Community Hall, which is located at 2200 South Road, Gabriola, B.C.

There are 4 ways to buy tickets for the event:

  1. Online (go to form)

  2. At Colleen’s Home Fashions at 580 North Rd.

  3. At North Road Sports at #4-510 North Rd.

  4. At the BBQ (cash only)

Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

I have both original paintings and high-quality prints for sale. You can find most of my artwork that is available for sale on Saatchi Art online here:

https://www.saatchiart.com/account/artworks/499285

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.

Reflecting on My First Gabriola Thanksgiving Studio Tour

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Deb Chaney stenciling in the studio

As I mentioned in September, I participated in the 2022 Thanksgiving Studio Tour here on Gabriola Island. It was the 26th time the Gabriola Arts Council held the free event and 65 artists took part in it. And I’m so glad that I was one of them. So I’d just like to take this opportunity to reflect on the weekend and record my experience.

Nature Was on Our Side

A fundamental storytelling maxim is never open with the weather. But when you’re talking about the Gulf Islands in October and you get a weekend full of sunshine, it deserves to be mentioned. And the weather was amazing.

If you haven’t read my earlier post, the studio is just what it sounds like. Local artists on the island open their studios (and/or homes) to the public for 3 days during Thanksgiving weekend and people can visit them at their leisure – for free. Over the course of those 3 days, we probably had around 100 people come by the house. And we basically had 2 things going on for the tour.

Two Paths for Visitors to Explore

First, we converted the house into a gallery (see the slideshow below!) with plenty of paintings of all sizes for visitors to enjoy. Many were hanging on walls, while I also had plenty of my Little Gems, unframed, that people could browse through.

Second, in the studio, I was giving demonstrations of how I work and inviting people into my process. I took the opportunity to really share about the Drishti Paintings, the large-scale new series that I’m working on. I shared the intention and inspiration behind them, along with the parameters I’m following in the creative process. By taking unfinished paintings off the wall and adding layers, I was able to share my intuitive process of painting only in situations where I know the next step. Trusting that, I keep working on it and the painting then reveals to me the direction it's heading.

It was really fun and exciting and I got the sense that people really enjoyed seeing the process up close. It was actually the first time I’ve done demonstrations during a studio tour and I found it to be a great way to connect with visitors.

The True Meaning of Community

My daughter and her friend Angelica tended to the “house gallery”, assisted by a rotating crew of helpers from the island. And we were all so touched by the incredible sense of community support.

Six different women showed up at our house for morning and afternoon “shifts” on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to help in any way they could. They did everything from greeting visitors and answering questions, to sweeping up, to preparing the hot chocolate and muffins we provided to anyone who stopped by.

And even though we’ve got a small island community, I didn’t actually know any of them personally before. They’d simply seen our request for help on the Community Facebook page and volunteered their time and assistance. 

It was such a good feeling and I’m so grateful for the good fortune to live in such a place. The experience was really unlike any other studio tour I’ve been involved in before. Gabriola Island is not only home to a lot of artists, but the community at large has such strong support for its artists – and these 2 factors combine to create a thriving art culture.

With all the other artists around, one of the things I found most exciting was when other artists came to visit my studio. It’s always such an honour and privilege. One of the artists to stop by was Gwen Spinks, whose exhibit I attended last year. And another was Karen Cain, who is a highly regarded artist and instructor. I’m really excited to visit her studio at some point. There were others as well, and each interaction was special and amazing.

Cherishing Those Magic Moments

The weekend was full of magic moments. I collect sand from our Twin Beaches here on Gabriola Island. And when kids came by, I showed them how I mix the sand with gel medium to use in my paintings. I got out my stencils and palette knife and showed them how to apply it, and some people watching announced that they wanted to go home and do it.

They were so inspired and that’s what I love – because art can be so fun and healing. If I can share what I’m doing and people get excited about it, it’s an incredible thing to witness.

Other magic moments include:

My friend and neighbour Paul stopped by with a prayer plant for my new studio.

My friend Moe came by with his partner Ocean, a wood carving artist, and she brought me the most delicious pear. (Which was perfectly timed with my growing hunger.)

Then my neighbour Nadine brought me some beautiful flowers.

And my other neighbour Larry noticed my doorknob was in need of little love – so he came back with his toolbox and fixed it for me. It’s a wonderful feeling to have these supportive and loving neighbours.

There were other moments too… like when strangers were gathered in the studio and someone pulled out a bottle of wine to share. Or someone suddenly started singing. Or chanting. Or all the conversations about spirituality and healing, and people just being open and authentic, sharing some of the most personal aspects of their lives.

This is a truly special place.

We even had Surprise Visitors

Like special guest stars surprising a studio audience, I had a couple of surprise visitors show up. My life coach, Michelle Falcone, whom I wrote about in August, texted me to say that she’d be coming over to the island with some friends. And one of those friends turned out to be my friend Susan Greig! (Susan is an artist as well and she owns and operates Braid St Studios, which I also wrote about earlier.)

My jaw dropped. I couldn’t get over that she was here. And she also ended up purchasing The Moon at Night, and it always deeply flatters me when another artist buys my work. It means the world to me that they are spending their hard-earned money to add my artwork to their personal collection.

Original Artwork Sold (plus Prints for Sale Online)

We sold a lot of other smaller paintings as well, and we have 2 larger paintings on hold while the interested buyers measure their home. We also had little notepads for sale, which turned out to be quite popular. They were a fun keepsake for people to remember the studio with.

If you were unable to attend the tour, you can browse through my collection on Saatchi Art’s online gallery. You can also find many of the paintings in my Little Gems Series there. 

Saatchi Art offers multiple options to suit your personal tastes or needs. You can choose to have your print on paper or canvas and choose from 4 sizes to best fit your room. You also have the 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 let you see what it looks like on a wall.

Taking Part in Gabriola Island’s Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour

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Taking Part in Gabriola Island’s Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour

I’m excited to announce my participation in another upcoming art event – Gabriola Island’s annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour. The event is organized by the indefatigable Gabriola Arts Council and is free to attend.

The event is quite unique in that artists from around the island open their home studios to the public for 3 days — meaning you can do the tour your own way, at your own pace, and enjoy exploring. Furthermore, many artists go beyond simply displaying their work and also offer demonstrations for a truly intimate, creative experience.

It’s been a while since I took part in an open studio tour. The last was in the spring of 2019 when I was at Braid St Studios, which I’ve mentioned in a recent post. Prior to that, I was part of an open studio tour while living at ARC Live Work Studios in Vancouver — and we had a few thousand people come through.

However, those were somewhat different. This is the first time I’m inviting people into my home as part of a studio tour. And I think there’s something special – and beautiful and vulnerable – about viewing artwork in a home setting.

A Little Bit About Gabriola’s Thanksgiving Studio Tour

The unique 3-day art extravaganza has been a success since its founding and has evolved into one of the premier art events in the Pacific Northwest. Having celebrated its silver anniversary in 2021, this year marks the 26th occasion of the wonderful event. 

You can meet with 65 artists and enjoy their creative works up close and personal in 56 studios spread across the island. With so many studios to choose from, it’s difficult (or impossible) to visit them all. So, it may help to plan your visit in advance using this interactive map of the tour. You can also find the full list of studios here, which includes examples and descriptions of each artist’s work.

The Thanksgiving Studio Tour runs for 3 days, October 8th to 10th, with participating studios open from 10 am to 5 pm. However, Tour Central – the tour’s headquarters – will be open from October 6th through 10th, and it’s got a Preview Gallery where you can view works by nearly all of the participating artists. It’s above Nova Arts and Craft Boutique in the centrally-located Folklife Village.

There’s also a raffle fundraiser for a chance to own an original painting by Gabriola artist Tony Grove, which you can read more about here.

Artwork I Have on Display for the Studio Tour

I’m setting up my house as a gallery and I have one wall with about 20 framed paintings from my popular Little Gems Series, which I’ve mentioned recently (such as here and here). There will also be a variety of large-format mixed-media paintings hung throughout the house. There are about 9 of those, ranging in size from 30” x 40” to the biggest at 48” x 72”.

I’ll also have paper paintings, such as from my Fragments of Life series, and up to a couple hundred other loose Little Gems. So, there’s a lot of art to be enjoyed!

There will also be one finished piece from The Drishti Paintings – the new large-scale series I’m currently working on. The series is very special to me and a culmination of everything I’ve learned in my journey as both a healer and an artist. The paintings embody 3 core principles about healing – which I’ll reveal once there’s a body of work ready for a gallery exhibit.

What I’m Looking Forward To With This Tour

I’m really excited to meet people and connect with not only the people I know and love but with those who take the time and effort to come over to the island. It’s an amazing feeling to see a person connect with a painting that is right for them, and I welcome the opportunity to help people find the perfect match.

Also, something new I’m doing with The Drishti Paintings is offering commissioned works for people who want something for their home or meditation room. So, I’d love to talk to anyone coming through the tour who’s looking to create a visual anchor for their personal well-being.

Attending the Tour (and Getting to My Studio)

For those who have never been to our beautiful Gabriola Island, it’s just a 25-minute ferry from Nanaimo Harbour at the edge of downtown Nanaimo. For those coming from the mainland, it’s located between the Duke Point and Departure Bay Ferry Terminals.

I’m Studio #49 on the tour and located at 1063 Chappel Place. As mentioned above, there is also an easy-to-read online map with pins for all the studios. There is street parking available out front, then you just go through the gate and walk straight to the house.

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale Online

If you are unable to attend the tour, you can browse through my collection on Saatchi Art’s online gallery.

Saatchi Art offers multiple options to suit your personal tastes or needs. You can choose to have your print on paper or canvas and choose from 4 sizes to best fit your room. You also have the 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 let you see what it looks like on a wall.

Original Painting "Silent Sky" Sold to a Local Artist

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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.

Springtime Pop-Up Art Show by Braid St Studios

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Focus by Deb Chaney (24” x 24”)

As my current exhibit with Sarah Graeme is underway, it feels like a good time to mention an earlier exhibit from back in the spring. The Braid St Studios Pop Up Art Show took place in April at The Gallery at Queen’s Park in New Westminster. (For those not familiar with the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, “New West” is in the centre of the Greater Vancouver area).

A Resilient Co-Working Space for the Art Community

Before moving to Gabriola Island (and joining its incredible art community!) I was fortunate enough to be part of another wonderful art community. Braid St Studios was located in a 12,000-square-foot industrial heritage building in New Westminster. With a large gallery, event space, and over 70 artists working in 46 studios, it was the largest collaborative art studio outside of Vancouver. 

The founder, owner, and artist behind 100 Braid St Studios is a phenomenal woman named Susan Greig. Her vision for a supportive arts community where visitors could see (and be inspired by) working studio artists was realized in Braid St Studios, which she describes as “an incubator for artists in transition [and] established artists” focused on achieving major career goals.

However, as with almost everywhere, when the pandemic hit, everything shut down. Then on top of that, the developers who owned the warehouse decided to tear it down in order to pursue the Lower Mainland’s favourite pastime – condo development.

Fortunately, Susan didn’t let a global pandemic and the forces of gentrification stand in her way. She’s already established a small gallery in Port Coquitlam and has been creating an online platform to support artists while continuing to look for larger spaces where she can continue hosting art shows, open mic and poetry nights, and other events.

The studio hosts artists working in a wide range of diverse media, which has grown even more diverse since moving online. As Susan posted in June:

“In our original brick and mortar studio, we had resident artists who worked in: oil & acrylic painters, artists who worked in resin, all kinds of textiles, reclaimed wood, charcoal, mixed media, jewellery & metalsmithing, digital art and photography. There were puppet makers, sculptors, musicians, performance artists, writers, acapella singers, songwriters and more.”

In addition to providing studio space for artists, 100 Braid St Studios fosters creativity in numerous ways. These include mentorship, a lecture series on professional development, exposure for artists, social events, fine art classes, and more. For more info on all the ways in which they support artists and the local community at large, check out the studio’s About Us page.

The Braid St Studios Pop-Up Art Show

The Braid St Studios Pop Up Art Show was held April 22-24, 2022 at The Gallery at Queen’s Park, which is operated by The Arts Council of New Westminster. 

The show’s 3 featured artists were Susan, Michael King, and Iris Mes Low. Other artists included me, Melissa Burgher, Tony Durke, Steven Elford, Omanie Elias, Fran Friesen, Unky Kim, William Liao, Dizz McGruber, Monica Moscoso, and Judy Villett.

One of Susan’s Instagram posts from the event sums up not only the ethos behind Braid St Studios but also the importance of art and a sense of community:

“So many people have come in to visit and the support from the broader New West community has brought me to tears many times. There have been stories I’ve never heard before-about relationships and friendships that have developed because of our arts community and there have been stories of the many struggles we’ve all had thru COVID. I’ve been reminded time and again of the core purpose of Braid St since its inception-to help artists live lives of courage in harmony with their values…to chart their own unique path, to support them to grow, to provide a warm and nurturing space.”

My Artwork in the Pop-Up Art Show

Susan kindly featured one of my paintings at the show. The painting is called Focus and is conceptually about how important focus is to healing and mental wellness. 

It’s a 24” x 24” acrylic on canvas and the original is for sale through Van Dop Gallery. You can find this painting (and others) in the online gallery, then click the link at the bottom of the page to email the gallerist, Trudy Van Dop.

You can see Focus and many other pieces on display in photos from the exhibit in the slideshow below.

Prints and Other Original Artwork for Sale

Prints of Focus as well as a much larger collection of my artwork – both originals and prints – are for sale 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.

My Art Exhibit With Sarah Graeme: “Moving; Through, Towards, Within.”

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Deb Chaney in Free Spirit Gallery

My art exhibit with Sarah Graeme, which I mentioned in this earlier post, is off to a wonderful start. We had our opening event at Gabriola Island’s Free Spirit Gallery on Friday evening.

The Power of Collaboration

It’s been really incredible to meet Sarah and collaborate with such a young artist – and yet she’s so accomplished. She’s so focused and has won grants and awards, and has come so far so quickly, so it’s been a truly incredible experience.

Sarah and I have taken quite different paths in our art careers. I didn’t go to art school (she did) and I’ve never won a grant (she has). While I’m still kind of figuring it out, her work is so cohesive and clear, and she knows what she’s creating and why.

To be honest, I’ve always felt kind of on the “outside” of the art world. So the feeling I get from collaborating and doing a show with Sarah has given me a sense of being “inside” the art world. And in addition to that feeling of inclusiveness, one of the greatest benefits of collaborations is that you get to up your game when you work with other artists, and I love that aspect of it.

A Special Appreciation for the Gallerist

My collaboration with Sarah was arranged by Catherine Hallam, the owner of Free Spirit Gallery, and I’d just like to say how grateful I am to her. She has gone above and beyond anyone that I’ve ever worked with in terms of collaboration. 

The opening was amazing. Everyone in attendance kept saying how beautiful it looked. One comment I heard repeatedly was that it felt like light — as though energy was emitting from the walls.

There was wine — and spritzers and cherries and cheese — and it was all so tastefully done. Every time someone arrived and I could catch a few words of Catherine talking about me, I just felt so appreciated and understood and supported. It was all done in such a professional, authentic, and grounded way. There was nothing pretentious about it or anyone in attendance, and it all felt just so genuine.

I also got to learn about Catherine’s journey as an artist and gallery owner, so it’s been wonderful getting to know her and having a deeper appreciation for who she is and what she’s doing.

Catherine’s assistant Lou was also there, and she was taking photos. She took an amazing shot of my parents and me (it was amazing having them there!), as well as a pic of me with my really good friend Denise, who I was thrilled to have there.

A lot of people stopped by that, up until that point, I’d only known over the internet and never met in person. One of the other great things about having an opening is that you get to meet people face-to-face and foster these real-life connections.

Selling That First Painting

Of course, one of the purposes of an exhibit is to find a home for the artist’s work. And selling that first painting is always really exciting, and a special feeling that makes me feel truly supported.

My painting The Gold Is Deep Within was my first piece to be sold at the show. It was purchased by a collector who’s been such a support to me and my career, and I’ll write up a full blog post about her and her selection in the near future.

A Guestbook of Affirmations

Catherine put out a book for people to sign and write comments. It is full of so many kind comments about my artwork and what they felt when viewing it and what they saw in each painting. It’s fascinating to hear people’s interpretations and how deeply they understood my work — so much so, that I feel I’m on the right track. It’s such an affirmation to me as an artist and it encourages me to continue.

Exhibit Catalogue, Photos, and Video

To see all the pieces I’ve got on display in the digital catalogue. Just click the big button below to download the PDF.

For some photos from the exhibit, scroll through the slideshow below. And beneath that is a short walkthrough video of my section of the the exhibit.

Here is a short video moving; through, towards, within.

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

Prints of some of the pieces in the show are available in my online gallery 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.

My Upcoming Art Exhibit with Sarah Graeme

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Post for Deb Chaney art exhibit

I am thrilled to announce my collaborative art exhibit with Sarah Graeme. Based across the way on Vancouver Island, Sarah is a ceramic artist who uses weaving and basketry techniques to combine plant fibers with ceramic forms. I’m a huge fan of her work and who she is as a person, so I’m very excited about our upcoming show.

The exhibit is being held at the Free Spirit Gallery here on Gabriola Island, and it runs from August 16 through to September 5. The official opening night event is Friday, August 19 from 6 to 8 PM.

An “Interview” with the Gallerist

Free Spirit Gallery Studio & Shop was established last fall by Catherine Hallam. It’s an incredible addition to the island’s art community, encouraging and enabling local artists and artisans to showcase their work. You can see its exhibition schedule for the year on the gallery’s website.

A full year of exhibits is certainly a testament to Catherine’s passion for and commitment to the arts — not to mention her organizational skills! Here are some of the insightful questions that Catherine asked me about the artwork I’m exhibiting in this show.

What ideas, concepts, and experiences does the body of work communicate?

This body of work communicates a visual footprint of my spiritual and healing journey over the past 10 years. The journey of creating each painting here on display taught me something important that has helped me to re-connect and align with my authentic self. Often the painting’s title reveals the message I received and what I learned in its creation. The work imbues a healing frequency, each painting emanating the energetic stamp of the learnings and healing I received from its creation.

What inspirations or traditions guided or influence this body of work?

Before I begin painting, my inspiration and tradition are in my healing practice to go within via meditation, silent time in nature, and journal writing. When I begin to work, I am guided by my intuition and let the painting guide and lead me as I add and take away layers. Knowing that the process and journey of creation is the greatest gift of being an artist. Trusting the finished piece will reveal herself.

How are the methods or techniques you use important to this body of work? Tell us how, or what, the choice of medium or process contributes to this work.

There are a lot of layers in these paintings and also the unique aspect of sand added as texture. I think I use a lot of thick mediums and mixed media because it's just simply so darn fun playing around with the colours and textures. When I look back on this work I also think these paintings are a lot like each of us in the world, that is, we come in as a baby pure innocent naturally happy, and excited about life. 

Then things happen, beliefs are formed, and occurrences and incidences happen and shape us. We grow, evolve, and learn while trying to figure out this thing called Life. For those of us on a conscious healing journey, I feel part of that process and journey of re-claiming our authenticity is taking off some of the layers we never really wanted, and getting back to our real selves. This is what I’ve been up to for the past couple of decades and that is what I see when I look at my work. As for the sand elements, well, I’m always going back to nature to re-calibrate and nourish myself… I just can’t help myself but to add it into these pieces!

Exhibit Statement for Moving; Through, Towards, Within

The title of Sarah’s and my collaborative art exhibit is Moving; Through, Towards, Within. Our exhibit statement encapsulates our individual approaches to – and what we aim to achieve with – our artwork. It follows below:

When faced with uncertainty we can either become fixed, paralyzed by the unknown, or move; through, towards, within.

Through Deb Chaney’s abstract, ethereal paintings, she explores the narratives of her own personal healing journey. Through the process and ongoing practice of painting, Deb Chaney explores themes of authenticity, truth, and connection.

Gathered on plinths, Sarah Graeme’s woven ceramic vessels emanate a sense of delicate balance. In her work, Sarah combines daylily fibers from her garden and smoke-fired ceramic vessels to create work that navigates the uncertainty and precarity she feels in our current environmental and social climate.

Both artists’ work use the process of creating to work through and into the unknown, uncertain, and ambiguous expanse in an attempt to navigate questions without definitive answers.

How do we be in a better relationship with ourselves, each other, and the world around us?

Moving into the expanse of discomfort, through, towards, within.

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

Original paintings on display at the show can be purchased through Free Spirit Gallery. Contact the gallery owner Catherine Hallam via email or phone at (250) 247-0197. Or, if you’re fortunate enough to be on Gabriola Island, stop by the gallery at 590 North Road.

Prints of some of the pieces in the show are available in my online gallery 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.

Donating Art for Gabriola Island's Annual Salmon BBQ Auction

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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.

Gabriola Arts Council’s Featured Art for June Included My ‘Fragments of Life’ Painting

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Fragments of Life #19 by Deb Chaney (23” x 30”)

A couple of months ago I received a pleasant surprise in my inbox. It was an email from the Gabriola Arts Council letting me know that another artist had selected my artwork for June’s Featured Art section on their website. They chose one of my paintings that’s posted on the GAC’s website — a mixed media painting called Fragments of Life #19.

Monthly Featured Artwork Curated by Artists

Each month the Gabriola Arts Council asks one of their member artists to help them curate artwork from the 26 categories in their online art catalogue. The six selected works — they could be paintings, pottery, clothing, anything — are then displayed prominently on the front page of the GAC website under the Featured Art banner.

For the month of June 2022, my painting was selected along with 5 other beautiful pieces that represent the diverse range of styles, mediums, and art forms found on Gabriola Island. To give you an idea of this diversity, the other works included a hand-knit sweater by Susan Hudson, a stunning stained glass panel by Jane Ferland, a stoneware vase by Graham Sheehan, and a pine needles basket by Marylyn Beaubien. The only other painting was the gorgeous Tea Stained Humpback 2 by Jade Krupa.

Some of the other works can be purchased directly through the GAC website, while some require you to contact the artist directly about pricing.

Source: The Arts on Gabriola (GAC)

A Special Appreciation to the Artist

The artist who chose my painting for June’s Featured Art is Zulis Yalte. She’s a multimedia and cross-disciplinary artist who works in stone, wood, clay, mixed media sculpture, painting, photography, and more. 

When Zulis presented her selections to the GAC, she had this to say about my artwork:

“Deb illustrates the paradox of the light/dark, strength/fragility, and all in between in life with her intuitive use of mark-making, form, and colour.”
— Zulis Yalte

I was touched by how well Zulis captured the essence of my artwork. And I want to thank her for putting such care and thought into choosing to include my painting. It’s always appreciated when somebody lets an artist know which piece they like – and why they like it. But I feel that Zulis’ write-up even goes beyond that as she really digs what I’m doing from a creative standpoint.

You can learn more about Zulis and see more of her artwork on the GAC website or on her website.

A Truly Incredible Art Organization

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Gabriola Arts Council. What they are and do is far beyond any art organization I’ve encountered in my 20 years of being a professional artist. They are highly organized and professional and offer such an amazing level of support. With so many unique tools and programs in place, they are a truly special operation.

A fantastic feature on the GAC’s website is the creative directory, which allows people to “meet the artists of this unique and beautiful island.” With 90+ artists to choose from, I highly recommend clicking around and taking a digital stroll through the directory.

About My Painting ‘Fragments of Life #19’

This piece is part of my Fragments of Life series – which I discussed in a bit more detail in this post a couple of weeks ago – so it represents another lesson from my spiritual journey.

Fragments of Life #19 measures 23” x 30” x 1.5”. The artwork is an acrylic mixed media painting on 300 lb Arches Coldpress Watercolour Paper. It is mounted on a custom-made wood panel, wired, varnished, and ready to hang.

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

The original artwork can be purchased through the Gabriola Arts Council’s website.

You can also buy prints of Fragments of Life #19 online at Saatchi Art. 

Saatchi Art has a range of options to fit everyone’s individual preferences. 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.

My Painting ‘Keep it Real’ is Featured at Free Spirit Art Gallery on Gabriola Island

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Painting "Keep It Real' by Deb Chaney

Keep it Real by Deb Chaney

I am thrilled to announce that my artwork is now featured in the Free Spirit Art Gallery here on beautiful Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada. It’s truly an honour and pleasure to be part of this gallery and artist community. I’d like to take this opportunity to share a bit more about Free Spirit Gallery, the woman behind it, and my first piece of artwork featured there.

The Importance of Art Galleries and the Free Spirit Gallery on Gabriola Island

A gallery is more than just a shop with art on its walls. Beyond displaying artwork, it is a place for people to interact – to inquire, collaborate, and get inspired. And everyone I’ve talked with is excited to have a genuine and professional brick & mortar gallery on the island. 

The Free Spirit Studio Gallery & Shop was established last November by a phenomenal woman named Catherine Hallam. She has 20+ years of experience teaching art & design and has been on the island for nearly 10 years. By showcasing the work of emerging and established local artists and artisans, Catherine aims to provide a mutually beneficial platform to bring artists and collectors together.

The Free Spirit Shop is a retail space for local artisans to display and sell their handmade works. The Free Spirit Studio section – launched a couple of months ago – is a space where artists can conduct small workshops and classes for kids and adults. She’s got 2 printmaking workshops scheduled for July, but visit the studio’s webpage for up-to-date information.

By rotating solo exhibits, Catherine features one or two artists each month on the back wall – which I think is a wonderful idea. Having your work featured is an empowering experience for an artist. You can see the exhibition schedule for the whole year on the website.

There are so many amazing Gabriola artists to be represented. The gallery is a special, beautiful place, and it’s a privilege and pleasure to be a part of it specifically, and the community as a whole.

About My Painting ‘Keep it Real’ on Display at Free Spirit Art Gallery

The painting I have on display is called Keep it Real, and it’s part of my Fragments of Life series.

The Fragments of Life series is about how we often morph and fragment ourselves to survive the challenges and trauma we experience growing up. We become people we are not – and do what we have to – in order to meet our needs. And the series is a healing journey about reclaiming those lost parts of ourselves, our fragments.

Each painting in the series represents a lesson from my spiritual journey. The painting process always helps me stay in the present moment – keeping with what’s real – and embracing, accepting, and loving it. We do this with the knowledge that we have the power and capacity to transform into the next version of ourselves.

The painting is an acrylic mixed media collage on 300-pound cold press watercolour paper mounted on wood panel, and it measures 58.4 x 76.2 x 2.5 cm (23 x 30 x 1.5 inches).

Original Artwork and Prints for Sale

The original painting of Keep it Real is currently available for purchase from Free Spirit Gallery Please email info@freespiritstudio.ca or phone the gallery at (250) 247-0197 to secure the original for your collection. 

You can also purchase giclee and fine art prints from Saatchi Art.

When it comes to prints, 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 your unique art piece 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.