Donating Art to Raise Awareness for Vulnerable Youth

SinguLar Focus by Deb Chaney (9" x 12")

Earlier in the summer I met with the coordinator of the Foundation for Artistic Expression (FAE) and agreed to donate a painting for its fundraising event. The auction is in support of something very dear to me—mental health and well-being—and helping at-risk youth in the area.

Among the events at IGNITE2024 is a silent auction in which my painting will be available. The auction will be held at the gala event on September 14 at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre.

About the painting

The painting I’ve chosen to donate is called Singular Focus, an abstract artwork created with acrylic, pencil, and pastel on paper.

Cool tones of blue and gray create a serene and meditative atmosphere, while a vibrant circle of orange and red acts as a focal point, drawing the eye towards its warm, energetic glow. This contrast between the cool background and the fiery center creates a dynamic tension within the piece.

A variety of brushstrokes, splatters, and drips add texture and depth to the composition. The lines and shapes are loose and gestural, suggesting a spontaneous and intuitive approach to the work. Despite its apparent simplicity, the painting invites fresh interpretations with each viewing.

This small series of paintings is part of my larger Little Gems Series and each artwork measures 9” x 12”.

About the FAE

The Foundation for Artistic Expression is a non-profit organization committed to “shattering stigmas” and raising awareness for mental health and vulnerable youth in Canada.

Founded by Mariel Nichole Anderson, visit the website to read more about the organization and their mission, current actions, and future plans.

About the event

The title of the IGNITE2024 event says it all–Nature Nurture: A Mental Health Gala for Vulnerable & At-Risk Youth.

The event showcases local talent from in and around Nanaimo with the goal of helping vulnerable youth in the Nanaimo area. It aims to raise awareness for 2 programs in Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District 68, Learning Alternatives and the Take A Hike Foundation.

With the help of local makeup artists and hairstylists, volunteer musicians, dancers, and others will unite together in the spirit of giving back and igniting the spotlight on mental health. Activities include a 50/50 draw, a live mural painting, and the silent auction, then wrap things up with a dance.

  • When: September 14, 2024

  • Where: Vancouver Island Conference Centre

  • Tickets: Online or at local Save-On-Foods 

  • Website: FAE Upcoming Events

About my Little Gems Series

My ongoing Little Gems Series is a collection of paintings that begin as practice pieces. I use them to hone my skills as well as explore and try out new techniques and ideas. 

Each painting in the series is bursting with the joy, love, and passion I feel in the studio. And all that energy and positivity is infused in every piece of artwork – which becomes my gift to you!

You can see more abstract paintings in the series here at Saatchi Art.

Can You See The 3 Concepts Applied in this Painting?

Worlds Within Worlds by Deb Chaney (9” x 12”)

I’m excited to announce that my original abstract painting Worlds Within Worlds is finished and now available for purchase.

The original painting is still available and you can also get high-quality reproductions in a variety of sizes and formats.

How I named this painting

The word drishti comes from Sanskrit. It is often used in yoga practice to refer to a single spot for the yoga practitioner to focus on in order to maintain their balance. 

I have called my series of abstract artworks The Drishti Paintings and I created them to invite the viewer on a visual journey inwards. They draw us into our own alignment, re-connecting to the love we have inside and thereby re-connecting to the drishti within ourselves.

About this painting

This painting is a practice piece for a large-format series of paintings that I have been working on since 2021 and will be showing later this year. 

There are several inspirational factors that are based on the key elements I found to be most helpful in my personal healing journey. These are Space, Focus, and Connection. Each of these concepts has been applied visually to this painting and each of them is in this new series.

The series and the paintings are evolving as I go, which you can see in the evolution of these small practice pieces. I am learning a lot in my journey of exploring, painting, and being in the frequency of my well-being.

The colour palette of this dark painting consists of black, blues, and purple and orange and red. Stencils of sacred geometry repeat throughout the painting, which is a common element in the series.

This one-of-a-kind mixed-media artwork is acrylic and sand on paper and measures 9” x 12”. 

Prints and Original Artwork for Sale Online

You can buy the original painting and high-quality prints of Worlds Within Worlds online at Saatchi Art here:

https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Worlds-Within-Worlds/499285/11237841/view 

You can see more paintings in the Little Gems series here:

https://www.saatchiart.com/art-collection/painting/Litte-Gems-Small-works-on-paper-and-loose-canvas/499285/160111/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.