Vancouver Sun Saturday Edition Newspaper Art Installation Write Up & Feature

Thank you so much for my friend and art collector Leigh Hodges who kindly mailed me this newspaper copy of the Vancouver Sun article by Rebecca Keillor featuring my West Coast Abstracts public art installation in North Vancouver May7,2022. It was a pleasure to read and understand further one of the key reasons Rocky Seith, CEO of Adera Developments chose my proposal: A positive attitude! Thank you for acknowledging this, I really appreciate being seen and feel acknowledged and respect. This means a lot to me, thank you.

Take it Away XIII Painting (c) Deb Chaney Original Painting, collage on Paper Size: 15 W x 11 H x 0.1 D in

The four original paintings for this installation were inspired by the ephemeral beauty of walking along the river through Lynn Valley in North Vancouver ‘Take it Away I, II, III & IV’ and were gifted to developers to be featured in their head office. That said, for the photo shoot and process of putting together the final documentation of the project I painted several more paintings to show the layers and process behind the mixed media works. Several of these paintings are available for your collection and can be purchased via Saatchi Online Gallery. You can click the Saatchi gallery link here or contact the artist directly info@debchaney.com to acquire one of these beautiful original mixed media paintings for your collection.

This painting image may be appearing on music CD cover soon.... (stay tuned)

!LOVE! sweet moments like this... Just got approached by a band who would like to license this image 'Belinda's Painting' on their CD cover. Honoured and excited about this possibility!

This original painting ‘Belind'a’s Painting’ is part of my Little Gems Series and was created while I was offering a private painting lessons to Belinda McNeice in mixed media abstract painting several years ago. In this case we were integrating collage materials (old book sheets) with acrylics and pastels. So much fun!

The original sold a few years ago now to Kristi Calderon . THANK YOU & big love always to my dear collectors.

Prints and Giclees are available if you would like this image in your home or office:https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Belinda-s-Painting/499285/7418609/view

Interview & Feature with Canadian Abstract Artists

Thank you kindly to Canadian Abstract Artists for the awesome interview (great questions!) and feature. I am deeply appreciative of being able to share my learning. on this journey as a professional artist with yourselves and your audience. Thank you.!

How would you describe your artistic style?

Spiritually Inspired Contemporary Modern Textured Layered Abstract Mixed Media Paintings

What’s the main inspiration for your art?

My inner spiritual journey.

What is the biggest goal you try to achieve with your art?

To feel good.

What’s your favourite thing about being an abstract artist?

With the creation of every painting it has its own challenges – figuring out the balance, the integration of the layers, getting to its state of completion. This process inspires me, teaches me, and has kept my attention for the past 20+ years!

Why abstract art and not other mediums? Have you always created abstract art or did you start out creating other styles?

I’ve always been an abstract mixed media artist since I started painting. It continues to excite me, challenge me, and the process enthrals me … I just don’t want to do anything else at the moment!

If you could describe your art in three words, what would they be?

layered – textured – spiritual

What’s one thing people might not know about you and/or your art journey so far?

I still often go through an experience of a wavering in confidence in myself where I struggle, doubt and fear arise during the process of a painting when its mid-way through. To move through and complete, I use many of my personal growth tools such as my fav anchoring song, pre-recorded self-kindness and inner-child affirmations, and tips from ‘the war of art’ (steven pressfield) – mainly just showing up even if I am scared or “don’t feel like it”.

Did you always know you’d be an artist or how has your art journey progressed?

No, I didn’t always know I’d be an artist… Growing up, because of what I was told, I believed that it was impossible to be a professional artist. I put all my creative thoughts and endeavours aside and got a B.Sc. in Earth and Ocean Sciences… Near the end of my degree I read a SARK book ‘Wild Succulent Women’ and knew that if she could do it – be an artist – so could I. I wrote to her and received a hand-written letter in response. I feel it was an omen of support. My journey had begun. That was about 25 years ago…

In your opinion, what’s the most important personal characteristic needed to embark on a career as an artist?

Belief in yourself and the possibility that you can succeed at what you dream to do.

What advice would you give up and coming abstract artists?

To start, you must believe in yourself and the possibility of your own success – in whatever terms you define it. (write it down, clearly). Then, listen ONLY to the kind, positive, and affirmative voices within your head and to those around you ONLY who support you and your dreams.

Do you have any favourite podcasts or books that you love and that have contributed to your journey as an artist?

I love Tim Ferries, Oprah, Brenee Brown, Abraham Hicks, Eckart Tolle, Joe Dispenza, Tony Robbins, Danielle Laporte, Martha Beck, Christine Northrup.

What’s your most fulfilling and enjoyable experience as an artist so far?

This moment now, writing the answers to this wonderful interview… Knowing there are paintings in process in the studio that I get to work on. Looking out my kitchen window and seeing the forest. Hearing the rain fall on the roof and tree leaves. Feeling inspired, supported and connected. I am deeply grateful to be an artist for my work.

Where do you see yourself and your art in 5 years?

I see myself in my newly build high-ceiling studio with great lighting, water, and heat, creating large scale (48″ x 72″ x 1.5″) mixed media abstract Drishti Paintings (TM) which embody the frequency and vibration of well-being. I see these painting contributing wellness world wide, in particular mental well-being, and doing so in both exhibited spaces such as museums, galleries and biennials. I see these paintings selling to appreciative spiritually-minded and conscious art collectors all over the world.

What do you love most about abstract art?

That you feel good looking at it, that you can always find something new, that in focussing upon it you lose yourself and forget anything that may be troubling you and how abstract art brings you into a journey that you can narrate and make-up as you wish.

Do you have any favourite quotes?

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” – Andy Warhol

Canadian Artist, Deb Chaney in front of completed ‘West Coast Abstracts’ public art installation at  Crest Adera Developments 108 East 8th St E, North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know BC abstract artist Deb Chaney a little more. To see more of her work, visit her website here.