Intangible Experiences: Honouring Abstract Painter Gwen Tooth

This March, Propeller Art Gallery in Toronto is hosting a group art exhibit to pay tribute to the late Canadian painter Gwen Tooth (1945–2025). To celebrate Gwen’s talent for expressive, experimental painting, the Intangible Experiences exhibition explores how abstract art communicates what is not easily done with words.

The featured artists created their pieces in the spirit of intuitive layered abstraction—an exploratory process that reflects Gwen’s own belief that painting evolves through curiosity, play, and attentive observation. I’m honoured to be part of this diverse event, which presents a selection of Gwen’s paintings alongside over 175 pieces from 128 artists.

A Tribute to Gwen Tooth

A long-time member of the Propeller collective (2013–2025), Gwen Tooth was known for her deep commitment to experimentation. Working primarily in acrylic and mixed media, she explored gesture and colour to evoke the sensations of nature—particularly the power and rhythm of water.

Gwen described her paintings as being “as much outer landscapes as the inner scapes of my mind and soul.” Her work often emerged through an intuitive process of layering materials, allowing each piece to evolve organically. You can learn more about her legacy on the gallery’s In Memoriam Tribute and the artist’s website.

Loving Our Earth – I

Loving Our Earth – I, Mixed media acrylic on canvas, 16" x 16" x 1.5" (unframed, painted edges, wired on back) © Deb Chaney

Loving Our Earth – I

Loving Our Earth – I, Mixed media acrylic on canvas, 16" x 16" x 1.5" (unframed, painted edges, wired on back) © Deb Chaney

Loving Our Earth – I

Loving Our Earth – I, Mixed media acrylic on canvas, 16" x 16" x 1.5" (unframed, painted edges, wired on back) © Deb Chaney

Featured Artwork: Loving Our Earth — I

Loving Our Earth – I emerged through an intuitive process of layering marks, colour, and texture within a subtle grid structure that gently holds the composition together. The painting invites viewers into a playful visual space where transparency, gesture, and rhythm interact across the surface.

Rather than depicting a literal subject, the work explores an emotional response to the natural world—the sense of connection, vitality, and creative possibility that arises through attentive presence. Each layer reveals traces of the painting’s evolution, allowing viewers to sense both movement and stillness within the surface.

This approach reflects the spirit of intuitive abstraction that artists like Gwen Tooth championed: allowing materials, colour, and process to guide the work toward something felt rather than strictly defined.

Price: $450

Collectors may inquire directly at info@debchaney.com or contact the gallery.

Exhibition Details

🏢 Propeller Art Gallery (in-person)
🗓️ March 25–April 12, 2026
📍 30 Abell Street, Toronto, ON
🕒 Wed to Sat: 1–5:30 PM | Sun: 12–4 PM or by appointment

🍷 Opening Reception
🗓️ Saturday, March 28, 2026
⌚ 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
🖼️ 3:00 PM: Presentation honouring Gwen Tooth

🗣️ Artist Talks
🗓️ Sunday, April 12, 2026
⌚ 2:00 PM

🌐 Online Exhibition
🗓️ March 25–May 25, 2026
🔗 propellerartgallery.com/intangible

Contact Propeller Art Gallery
propellerartgallery.com
416-504-7142 | info@propellerartgallery.com

AI and Art Licensing Workshops for Artists — Isle of the Arts Festival

This April I will be teaching two professional development workshops for artists during the 2026 Isle of the Arts Festival on Gabriola Island. These sessions are designed for artists who want practical tools to strengthen the business side of their creative practice.

One workshop explores how artificial intelligence can support an art business, while the other focuses on licensing artwork as a way to generate additional income streams. These sessions are ideal for artists who are ready to move beyond simply making art and begin building a more sustainable professional practice.

Both workshops will be held at the Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre (GAHC) at 476 South Road, Gabriola. 

How to Use AI in Support of Your Art Business

Friday April 10th | 1:30–4:30 PM

You will learn how to use AI as a supportive assistant in your art business, with live demonstrations showing tools for outreach, opportunity research, and proposal or grant support.

BRING: Your chosen implements for note-taking.

GAHC (476 South Rd) | $25 | 12 spots | 18+

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Licensing Your Art: Turning Images into Income

Saturday April 11th | 1:30–4:30 PM

Learn how to find opportunities to license your unique artwork and create new income streams. We’ll discuss what images work well for licensing and why. Follow along step by step as we create an online submission for a potential licensing partnership, and leave with clear next steps to begin licensing your art.

BRING: A laptop and 6–10 JPG images of your artwork. A notebook and pen are optional for taking notes.

GAHC (476 South Rd) | $25 | 20 spots | 18+

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About the Isle of the Arts Festival

The Isle of the Arts Festival is celebrating its 16th year on Gabriola Island, offering nearly 30 workshops and events across many creative disciplines including painting, fibre arts, music, storytelling, dance, pottery, cooking, and professional development.

This year’s theme, “Weaving a Story”, explores how creativity connects people across time, place, and culture.

Learn more about the festival at Arts Gabriola.

Canada Council for the Arts Grant Supports Deb Chaney’s Professional Development

Deb Chaney is proud to share the receipt of a Canada Council for the Arts grant supporting professional development and continued growth as a working artist. This recognition represents an important milestone and provides valuable support for expanding knowledge of the global professional art landscape.

As a contemporary Canadian artist working in mixed media abstract painting, Chaney continues to invest in deepening both the creative and professional aspects of her practice. This funding supports participation in a specialized professional development program designed to help artists better understand and navigate the international art world.

The training focuses on key areas such as gallery relationships, professional positioning, and the structure of the global art market—knowledge that helps artists build sustainable careers and expand opportunities for their work.

Continued professional development ensures that collectors, curators, and institutions encounter work that reflects both artistic depth and a strong understanding of the evolving professional art ecosystem.

Inside Deb Chaney’s studio during the development of recent mixed-media abstract paintings.

About The Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts plays a vital role in our cultural landscape. It has been a driving force in the arts, consistently demonstrating the social and economic importance of sustained investment in the arts.

The Canada Council for the Arts mandate is to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. Through its grants, services, prizes, initiatives, and payments, the Canada Council supports a dynamic and diverse arts and literary scene. These activities generate a meaningful cultural, social and economic impact for over 2,000 communities in all parts of the country and beyond. The investments and leadership of the Council help advance public engagement in the arts from coast to coast to coast while also contributing to the international recognition of artists and arts organizations from Canada.

With French-speaking audiences across the country in English-speaking regions, the Canada Council for the Arts offers support in both official languages.

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Special thanks to Diana Cave, Grant Officer at the Canada Council for the Arts, whose guidance and encouragement throughout the process were incredibly helpful. Her support made navigating the application process clear, supportive, and accessible.

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Support from the Canada Council for the Arts strengthens the foundation for continued artistic growth and the creation of new work for collectors, galleries, and institutions in the years ahead.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

You can find out more about Canada Council for the Arts on X (Twitter) at @CanadaCouncil and under the #BringingTheArtsToLife hashtag.

Deb Chaney's Painting Selected for Saatchi Art's "New This Week"

A sitting area is infused with energy by Red Red Wine, 8" x 8" Acrylic on Canvas © Deb Chaney Prints Available on Saatchi Gallery

I'm thrilled to share that my original abstract painting Red Red Wine has been chosen for Saatchi Art's New This Week collection. This ongoing feature highlights original contemporary artwork for collectors, with 100 works selected each week by Rebecca Wilson, Chief Curator.

I'd like to thank Will Hardy, Saatchi Art Advisory & Assistant Curator, for selecting this piece. Having work recognized on a platform trusted by serious art collectors worldwide, means a great deal.

🎨 View the New This Week Collection on Saatchi Art

About the painting

Red Red Wine is an 8" × 8" original acrylic and mixed media painting on canvas. Small in scale but bold in presence, it works beautifully as a standalone collector piece or within a curated wall grouping. The painting is also available as a large-scale reproduction print for collectors interested in a larger format.

Red Red Wine, 8" x 8" Acrylic on Canvas © Deb Chaney Prints Available on Saatchi Gallery

About the Love Is Love Series

Red Red Wine belongs to my Love Is Love series—a collection of mixed media paintings built through a rhythmic grid of colour-filled squares. Created from a place of ease and playful creative flow, each artwork explores the pleasure found in bringing many small parts into a relationship—like a visual game where chaos slowly finds its own order.

Using layers of acrylic paint, gel mediums, pencil, spray paint, pastels, gelatos, coffee, cotton fabric, and paint pens, the surfaces hold both energy and warmth. Each square carries its own mood and movement, while together they form a vibrant, connected whole. The process is intuitive and relaxing, allowing colour, texture, and pattern to guide the way.

Occasionally, a simple heart appears as a quiet gesture of love and inclusion—a reminder of the joy that initiated the series—though many works rely solely on colour and structure. These paintings are playful and exuberant, inviting lightness, presence, and delight through bold colour. The result is an uplifting body of work designed to bring warmth and visual energy into a home or collection.

Collect the Original or a Print

The recognition of being featured in New This Week is a reminder of why I continue to develop my body of work. I hope Red Red Wine finds the right collector and the right wall.

The painting is available now through Saatchi Art as an original painting or as a large-scale reproduction print. If you've been considering adding an original Canadian artwork to your collection, this is a good moment to do so.

Living with Meaningful Art: The North Vancouver Arts Rental Program

A sitting area is elevated by the diptych Loving What Is I & II. 36" x 48" x 1.5" mixed media and acrylics on canvas, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been selected and accepted into the Art Rental Program at North Vancouver Arts.

Loving What is I, 36" x 48" x 1.5" mixed media and acrylics on canvas, © Deb Chaney Prints Available on Saatchi Gallery.

Loving What is II, 36" x 48" x 1.5" mixed media and acrylics on canvas, © Deb Chaney PRints Available on Saatchi Gallery.

The program’s new artwork will be showcased this March in a salon-style exhibition in the CityScape Community ArtSpace. The original diptych paintings of Loving What is I and Loving What is II will soon be available to rent through the program.

How Does the Art Rental Program Work?

The program offers a sophisticated opportunity to enjoy contemporary artwork in a home or office, allowing collectors to experience how a piece influences the grounding and consciousness of a space before making a permanent acquisition.

The rental fee is based on the professional valuation of the painting. Collectors are billed on a monthly basis, providing a flexible pathway to curate a meaningful environment until they decide to purchase the work or explore a new selection.

Visit the official North Vancouver Arts website for the best way to plan your visit.

Outside and inside the CityScape Community ArtSpace by North Vancouver Arts (@northvanarts)

About the CityScape Community ArtSpace

This contemporary art space is owned by the City of North Vancouver, while North Vancouver Arts oversees its programming and day-to-day management.

With eight diverse exhibitions each year, they showcase a thought-provoking mix of local and international artists. The spacious, high-ceilinged gallery is designed to accommodate dynamic installations, including large-scale sculptures, textiles, and digital projections.

About North Vancouver Arts

Founded in 1969, North Vancouver Arts is a grassroots non-profit dedicated to building healthy, inclusive communities by supporting artists of all disciplines and bridging cultures through the arts. With 100 dedicated volunteers and 400+ members, their mandate is to empower both emerging and professional artists, while bridging cultures and building a healthy, strong community through the arts.

Website: northvanarts.ca
Address: 335 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604.988.6844
Email: info@northvanarts.ca
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 11 AM – 5 PM | Tuesday by Apponitment

Helpful links
North Vancouver Art Rental
Art Rental Show
How to Rent & Buy Art

Romantica at Nova Gallery: A Celebration of Love, Art & Community

Featured Work: Love Is Bright Pink, 16" x 16" x 1.5" acrylics and mixed media on canvas, Love is Love Series, © Deb Chaney 2026

This February, Nova Gallery on Gabriola Island invites you to step into a world of romance, creativity, and expressive beauty with Romantica, a vibrant group exhibition opening Friday, February 13, 2026.

Timed with Valentine’s season, Romantica explores love in its many forms — romantic, playful, sensual, emotional, and celebratory. The exhibition brings together artists working across mediums, including painting, jewellery, and handmade wearable art, all responding to the theme in their own way.

I’m excited to be showing brand new work from my Love Is Love series in this exhibition. These paintings continue my exploration of colour, structure, and joy through square grid formations — visual expressions of harmony, inclusion, and emotional resonance. Each piece is created with the intention of inviting warmth, openness, and a sense of celebration into the viewer’s experience.

About the Opening Night

📍 Nova Gallery
575 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC

🗓️ Friday, February 13, 2026
⌚ 7:00 PM
🍷 Cash bar
🎩 Dress-up encouraged (17th–18th Century European-inspired or anything romantic!)

The exhibition runs until March 15, offering plenty of opportunity to experience the work beyond opening night.

Three views of Love Is Bright Pink, 16" x 16" x 1.5" acrylics and mixed media on canvas, Love is Love Series, © Deb Chaney 2026

Romantica is a celebration — of love, creativity, and community. Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, or simply curious, this exhibition invites you to experience how artists interpret one of humanity’s most enduring themes.

Looking forward to seeing you at the opening!

Sweet Surrender—Opening to Flow and Freedom

A living room gets a touch of tranquility from The Womb, 11” x 15” Acrylic on Paper, Little Gems Series © Deb Chaney. Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Surrender is both a mindset and a practice.

It’s the art of letting go—releasing control of how things should unfold, and trusting a higher intelligence, creative flow, or the rhythm of life itself.

For artists, surrender brings peace and creative freedom. It softens the inner critic, dissolves the stress of forcing outcomes, and creates space for fresh inspiration to arrive.

In my own life, surrender has been the key to breakthroughs. Whether it was cycling in Iceland in my 20s and unexpectedly meeting a mentor named Abraham whose teachings influenced my life thereafter, or realizing that my most profound creative ideas appeared after I stopped trying so hard, I’ve seen that letting go often has the power to open the greatest doors.

Ways to practice surrender:

• Sweet Surrender Days — Take a thermos of tea, a blanket, and simply sit in nature with no agenda.

• Micro Acts of Surrender — When stressed, hand it over: “Universe, I give this to you. Show me the way.”

• Business Rituals — Each week, choose one task to postpone, simplify, or release. Give it to God. Notice how space invites new opportunities.

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything… we cannot be free.”

— Thích Nhất Hạnh

Research supports this wisdom.

Studies show that letting go builds resilience and adaptability, helping us navigate challenges with calm and openness.

The Womb, 11” x 15” Acrylic on Paper, Little Gems Series © Deb Chaney. Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Takeaway

Surrender isn’t giving up—it’s opening to flow. By releasing control, you create space for inspiration, grace, and unexpected opportunities.

👉 Learn how to weave surrender into your art practice and business inside The Illuminated Artist in Business.

Conscious Thoughts—Planting Seeds of Affirmation

A sitting area is empowered by I Am Powerful, 48” x 60” x 1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas, Drishti Series, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

What we think creates our reality.

As artists, choosing empowering thoughts is one of the most powerful ways to nurture creativity and success.

Affirmations are short, positive statements in the present tense. They align your subconscious mind with the reality you want to live. By repeating them, you gently overwrite any limiting beliefs you may have with empowering truths.

I often listen to recorded affirmations while washing dishes or folding laundry. These simple moments of “background programming” help me plant positive seeds in my mind. One of my favorite resources is Louise Hay’s Affirmations (YouTube).

“Affirmations are like seeds planted in soil. If you continue to feed and water them, they grow and blossom.”

— Louise Hay

Here are six affirmations I love to return to:

• I am taking loving and gentle care of myself.

• I am resilient and return to balance with ease.

• I am a channel for creativity.

• I am confident in sharing my authentic voice.

• I am attracting perfect collectors, companies, and clients for my art.

• I am supported by good people who believe in me.

Research backs this up.

A study on affirmations shows that they can rewire neural pathways tied to confidence, reduce stress hormones, and foster resilience.

I Am Powerful, 48” x 60” x 1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas, Drishti Series, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Takeaway

Affirmations are tiny seeds of thought that grow into the reality you live. Choose them with care, repeat them with love, and watch your creative life blossom.

👉 Explore practices like this in my upcoming course, The Illuminated Artist in Business.

Celebrating Creativity: Gabriola Island Studio Tour 2025

Deb & Deb together at Deb Dallyn’s open studio, October 2025

I had the joy of visiting many wonderful studios open during this year’s Gabriola Island Studio Tour 2025.

Every Thanksgiving weekend, our island comes alive with color, creativity, and connection as over 60 artists open their doors, sharing their processes and stories with visitors from near and far.

This year, one of my favourite artists to visit was assemblage artist Deborah Dallyn, whose work defies easy categorization.

Her art is at once playful, profound, and deeply human—each piece revealing the poetry in found materials thoughtfully transformed into sculpture. There’s something whimsical yet timeless in her creative voice that truly resonates with me.

Deb Dallyn standing beside my favourite Piece of hers.

My favourite artwork on display this year was a framed white circular piece combining paint, rocks, and wood—absolutely gorgeous. (See above photo.)

I also loved her moving flag installation—a kinetic larger scale work full of movement and spirit—and her tall, colorful wooden sculpture inscribed “A True Radical Makes Hope Possible” (see below), standing proudly over five feet tall. Fantastic!

Beyond her studio, Deborah is also the creator of the acclaimed public art installation Rite of Passage, located here on Gabriola Island. You can learn more about that project and her community contribution here.

If you’re interested in learning more about Deborah’s work or inquiring about collecting her art, I highly encourage you to connect with her directly through the Gabriola Arts Council Artist Directory.

Your Internal Compass—Navigating by Thoughts and Feelings

A dining area gets a vibrant lift of emotion from I stopped caring what you'd think, 9” x 12” x 0.1” Acrylic on Paper, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Reading your inner compass

How do you know when you’re on track as an artist?

Your inner compass will reveal the answer.

That compass is your current emotional state. The better you feel, the more aligned you are with your path. Conversely, the worse you feel, the more you’ve likely drifted from it.

Every goal—whether it’s more clients, sales, or recognition—is ultimately about wanting to feel good. When you practice cultivating those feelings inside yourself first, the outer world naturally aligns.

I often use my journal as a tool to check in. I’ll take a few deep breaths, notice my body sensations, and then choose a word that describes how I feel.

Sometimes I write: “I feel like I’m recalibrating.” From there, I consider my thoughts.

For example: “I’m starting to get clear on this project, and that feels good. I’m looking forward to my walk by the ocean today.”

This simple practice reminds me: thoughts create feelings, and feelings create our reality.

“Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.”

— Elizabeth Gilbert

Science confirms this connection.

A study published in the Journal of Research in Personality found that individuals with stronger emotional regulation skills report higher well-being, greater income, and more success across life domains.

Aligning with your inner compass truly predicts thriving outcomes.

I stopped caring what you'd think, 9” x 12” x 0.1” Acrylic on Paper, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Takeaway

Your feelings are your compass.

When you feel good, you’re aligned. Be sure to check in with your inner state often, and let it guide you toward balance, creativity, and success.

👉 Discover more tools for alignment in my upcoming course, The Illuminated Artist in Business.

A Day of Writing with Monique Gray Smith on Gabriola Island

Deb Chaney with author Monique Gray Smith in September 2025.

On a beautiful Sunday this past September, I had the joy of spending a full day in community with author Monique Gray Smith, the current Kasahara Artist in Residence on Gabriola Island.

The workshop, beautifully hosted at the GAC Heritage Hall, was part of Monique’s residency contribution to our community—a requirement of the Kasahara Residency program.

I first discovered the workshop through the Gabriola Arts Council’s newsletter. I attended with the simple intention to meet other creatives, nurture my journaling practice, and spend the day among inspired makers. I had few expectations—and I left feeling deeply grateful, inspired, and recharged.

About Monique Gray Smith

Monique is an award-winning, internationally recognized author, professional consultant, and storyteller. She is Cree, Lakota, and Scottish, and her work often weaves together the themes of resilience, hope, and the beauty of Indigenous cultures.

Some of her books include:

• My Heart Fills with Happiness

• Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation

• Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience

• You Hold Me Up

• When We Are Kind

• I Hope

• Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults

• Circle of Love (upcoming)

You can explore all of Monique’s works here.

Her books and teachings carry the important reminder that “Love is Medicine,” a piece of wisdom that she wove into the workshop with generosity and care.

Inside the Workshop

The day was well-organized, engaging, and welcoming. We were invited to explore writing through prompts, personal reflection, and group sharing. Monique’s presence was warm and generous, and each participant contributed wholeheartedly.

Some of the prompts included:

• “Lately I have been thinking about…”

• “My heart fills with happiness when…”

• “The warmth of the fire…”

• “When I walk in the forest…”

• Write something using the words: escape, penthouse suite, reckless, whiskey

• “The most interesting person I’ve ever met is…”

Book recommendations

Participants at the workshop had plenty of great book recommendations, which included Untamed by Glennon Doyle, The Martian by Andy Weir, The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton, Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, and works by Richard Wagamese.

Tips I’m Taking Forward

From Monique and the group, here are some gems for staying inspired and consistent as a writer:

• Use your phone’s voice text and email yourself ideas.

• Jot ideas on recipe cards.

• Keep a daily summary of what you achieved.

• Attend author events.

• Use prompts (like those listed above).

• Write even one sentence a day.

• Step outside into the sun and look up.

• Join a writer’s group (Gabriola has one: Shut Up & Write).

• Chew gum or eat something crunchy while writing.

• Try headphones with calming nature sounds.

• Carry a rose quartz heart in your pocket.

By the end of the workshop, I left with pages of writing, a heart full of inspiration, and a renewed commitment to my creative practice.

Thank you, Monique, for your presence, wisdom, and generosity.

Bringing Grounded Inspiration and Well-Being to New York Workspaces with Curina

Original, one-of-a-kind abstract paintings now available in legal offices, doctor’s offices, and corporate environments through Curina’s boutique art advisory.

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A sitting area is invigorated by Joy is our natural state, 9” x 12”” Mixed MEdia on paper, Little Gems Series © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

I’m thrilled to share that my work is now part of the Curina collection—a New York–based boutique art advisory that re-imagines art ownership by offering both rentals and purchases of original artwork.

Curina specializes in placing art in professional settings—legal offices, doctor’s offices, and corporate offices—connecting artists with a wide range of collectors and clients through flexible rent-to-own and direct purchase models.

Through this collaboration, Curina clients will have the opportunity to experience original, hand-made abstract paintings that are deeply rooted in nature and well-being. Each piece carries a grounding presence and healing energy, bringing clarity, inspiration, and beauty into working office spaces.

This partnership is about offering environments more than décor—it’s about creating atmospheres that support focus, renewal, and connection.

Joy is our natural state, 9” x 12”” Mixed MEdia on paper, Little Gems Series © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Morghan Williams and the Curina team for taking the time to connect, learn about my practice, and welcome me into their community. Our next step is a video studio tour with Curina’s CEO, and I’m looking forward to sharing more as this partnership unfolds.

Learn more about Curina at www.curina.co.

The Power of Visualization — Dream It Into Reality

A bedroom wall boasts a large-scale recreation of Little Epilogue Landscape 3, 11” x 15” x 0.1” Acrylic on Canvas, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Meditation clears the window of your mind—as I noted a few posts ago—but what will you choose to see through it? This is where visualization comes in.

Visualization is daydreaming with purpose. It’s the conscious act of imagining the life, art, and opportunities you’d love to experience. By rehearsing your desired reality in vivid detail, you align yourself with its frequency and become a natural match for it.

Science shows the brain responds to imagined experiences almost as if they were real. Visualization activates neural pathways, builds confidence, and primes you for action.

How visualization supports your art practice

As artists, visualization helps us:

• Clarify vision — see and feel your goals in detail.

• Strengthen belief — accept your dream as possible and natural.

• Activate alignment — tune your energy to match what you want.

• Encourage inspired action — inner momentum flows outward into results.

“Consistent practice of visualization meditation significantly boosts self-confidence and creates a greater feeling of control in decision-making. If you can see it, you can achieve it.”

— Kass, Visualization Meditation Expert

Tools to get started

Personally, I love Vishen Lakhiani’s Six-Phase Meditation. It’s highly visual and allows you to weave your art business dreams into a guided flow.

Supporting research also shows how powerful this practice is. This article from Peloton explains how visualization meditation boosts self-confidence and primes the mind for success.

Little Epilogue Landscape 3, 11” x 15” x 0.1” Acrylic on Canvas, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Takeaway

Visualization isn’t just dreaming—it’s energetic preparation. When you see yourself thriving as an artist, you take another step closer to making this your reality.

👉 Explore how to weave visualization into your practice inside my upcoming course, The Illuminated Artist in Business.

Celebrating a New Partnership: Deb Chaney x McGaw Graphics

A sitting area is energized by I Remember To Meditate Yoga Girl, 12” x 9” x 1.5” Acrylic on Wood, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

 High-vibrational abstract artwork now available through one of the world’s leading fine art publishers

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news—my artwork is now part of the McGaw Graphics collection! You can see my profile and artwork featured in their gorgeous 2025 Fall/Winter Collection.

About McGaw Graphics

For over 40 years, McGaw Graphics has been a leader in the art publishing world, offering museum-quality prints, posters, and licensed art editions from both historic masters and today’s most compelling contemporary artists. From Warhol to Rothko, Monet to Pollock, their archive spans over 12,000 images and reaches audiences in more than 35 countries.

What excites me most is McGaw's commitment to making quality art accessible around the world while genuinely supporting artists. Their mission and the global platform they’ve created aligns beautifully with my own focus on art for well-being. With new artwork launched weekly and customization options, they bring together heart and innovation.

I Remember To Meditate Yoga Girl, 12” x 9” x 1.5” Acrylic on Wood, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

A truly humbling honour

Being included among artists supported by institutions like the Andy Warhol Foundation and Keith Haring Foundation feels like a profound honour. I'm excited to see how these images bring inspiration to new spaces—whether through home décor, hospitality interiors, or licensed design projects.

If you spot my work out in the world, I'd love to hear about it! You can explore McGaw's curated offerings and learn more at www.mcgawgraphics.com.

The Magic of Meditation— Clearing the Creative Windshield

A bedroom is empowered with I Surrender God Knows Best, 48” x 60” x 1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas, Drishti Painting Series © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

If there’s one practice that has supported me most consistently as an artist, it’s meditation.

Meditation is like windshield wipers for the mind. It clears away the fog of stress, distraction, and inner chatter, creating space for the clarity of your creative source to shine through.

At its simplest, meditation is awareness of the present moment—noticing your breath, sensations, and thoughts without judgment. You don’t stop your mind from thinking, you simply return your attention to the present moment each time it wanders.

Why meditate as an artist?

Here are 3 great benefits of meditation:

1. Focus & Flow – Meditation strengthens your attention, making it easier to drop into creative flow without distraction.

2. Calm & Resilience – Building an art career can be stressful. Meditation calms the nervous system so you can meet challenges with steadiness.

3. Creativity & Inspiration – By clearing away clutter, meditation opens space for fresh ideas and deeper inspiration to arrive.

“Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak.”

— Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

Research confirms this. Studies show regular meditation improves focus, reduces stress, and increases creativity — all qualities that help artists thrive in their practice and business.

In The Illuminated Artist in Business, meditation is a foundation practice. We explore it together, not as a rigid rule but as a gentle habit that supports your resilience and your art.

I Surrender God Knows Best, 48” x 60” x 1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas, Drishti Painting Series © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Takeaway

Meditation is your creative windshield wiper—clearing the way for focus, calm, and inspiration. Even a few minutes daily can change how you show up in your art and your life.

👉 Learn more in my upcoming course, The Illuminated Artist in Business.

Celebrating a New Creative Partnership with TurningArt

A stairway landing is emboldened by I Belong, 48” x 60” x 1.5”, Acrylic on Canvas, Drishti Painting Series, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Celebrating a new partnership bringing healing art into corporate offices and inspiring spaces.

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I’m thrilled to share some exciting news—I’ve officially joined the artist roster at TurningArt, a Boston-based firm known for transforming spaces through thoughtfully curated artwork.

Why TurningArt is the perfect fit

Partnering with TurningArt is more than just a new opportunity, it’s a beautiful alignment of values. Their commitment to supporting working artists, enhancing wellness through visual environments, and curating art experiences that elevate everyday life deeply resonates with my own artistic mission.

A heartfelt thank you to Sophie from the TurningArt team, who truly offered ‘white glove’ support throughout my onboarding. From start to finish, Sophie went above and beyond to help me navigate the process, answer every question with care, and ensure my portfolio was represented with professionalism and heart. I’m genuinely grateful.

I Belong, 48” x 60” x 1.5”, Acrylic on Canvas, Drishti Painting Series, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

TurningArt transforming spaces across North America

What excites me even more is the incredible work TurningArt is already doing in collaboration with artists across North America. Here are just a few highlights:

🎨 Monumental Artwork for a Private Equity Office
Working with Vocon and a U.S.-based equity firm, TurningArt commissioned large-scale, custom pieces that reflect brand identity while elevating the physical workspace. It’s a powerful example of how contemporary art can transform corporate culture.

🩺 Transforming Women’s Healthcare with Herself Health
Through carefully curated artwork, TurningArt helped Herself Health reshape the atmosphere of their clinics to feel warm, calming, and empowering. This approach aligns so beautifully with my own belief that art supports emotional wellness.

🌈 Vibrant Murals for Communal Living at Ardence & Bloom
For this East Hollywood development, TurningArt brought large-scale murals to life—transforming a residential space into a dynamic environment where art inspires daily living.

As a mixed media abstract artist who believes deeply in the connection between art and well-being, it’s an honor to join a community so dedicated to this kind of meaningful creative work. I look forward to what’s ahead and to sharing more as this partnership unfold

Well-Being First — Fuel for Your Creative Fire

 A Living room with the healing aura of Coming Home to My Well Being, 24” x 30” x 1.5” Mixed Media on Wood Panel, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

The foundation of creative practice

As artists, we often ask ourselves: Am I rested? Am I hydrated? Have I eaten? Have I taken a breath of fresh air? Do I feel connected to Source?

These simple check-ins form the foundation of my creative practice. And it’s fascinating how well-being and creativity work both ways.

Sometimes I nourish my body first—drinking water, resting, going for a walk outdoors—and this naturally leads to more clarity in the studio.

Other times, it’s the art-making itself that pulls me back into balance. Even on the hardest days, when emotions are high, painting helps me process, restore rhythm, and reconnect with myself.

Over the years I’ve discovered that resilience as an artist in business depends on daily self-care. Meditation, visualization, gentle exercise, journaling, conscious thinking, and sweet surrender are the practices that keep me grounded.

But self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple as a glass of water, a slow, deep breath, or sending a kind message to a friend.

“In order to create, we draw from our inner well. This inner well, an artistic reservoir, is ideally like a well-stocked fish pond…As artists, we must learn to be self-nourishing.”

— Julia Cameron

Research agrees

Forbes reports that those who prioritize self-care show improved cognitive function, focus, and concentration. Techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and adequate sleep boost memory and decision-making—directly supporting productivity and creativity.

Coming Home to My Well Being, 24” x 30” x 1.5” Mixed Media on Wood Panel, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

The takeaway

Your creativity requires energy. Prioritize well-being, and notice how it fuels not just your art, but your life.

👉 Curious to go deeper? My upcoming self-study course, The Illuminated Artist in Business, explores practices like these to help you thrive as a creator. Read on the Course Page.

New "Little Gems" With Playful Greens for Heart & Healing

Hide and Seek, 9” x 12” Mixed Media on Paper, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Three small abstract works inspired by sand, emerald tones, and emotional curiosity.

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This latest trio in my Little Gems Series was born from a desire to be playful. So I played with colour, with texture, and with the thoughts that can pass through our mind when healing.

Composition and connection

Each piece features rich emerald tones—a nod to the heart chakra—and real sand embedded in the mixed-media layers.

There’s something grounding and ancient about adding earth to a painting. It not only adds a shimmer, but it gives the work weight.

A reading area gets an emotional boost from Hide and Seek, 9” x 12” Mixed Media on Paper, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

What’s in a name?

The titles? They’re musings I’ve had mid-thought on my own inner journey:

• Hide and Seek — about what we reveal and conceal

• Three’s A Crowd — a reflection on boundaries and energy

• One Day I’ll Get Everything I Want Then I’ll Be Happy — a playfully ironic mantra we’ve all whispered at some point

All three are 9” x 12”, available on Saatchi as originals and prints:
🖼️ Hide and Seek
🖼️ Three’s A Crowd
🖼️ One Day I’ll Get Everything I Want Then I’ll Be Happy

Why green?

Green is known as the colour of healing and the heart. In colour psychology and energy medicine, it restores balance, calms the nervous system, and supports emotional regulation.

I hope these Little Gems bring a breath of softness, curiosity, and healing into your space.

Celebrating My New Partnership with Indiewalls

A sitting area is elevated by Countdown to Freedom, 9” x 12” Acrylic on Paper, © Deb Chaney. Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

Uplifting spaces with art for well-being through curated collaboration

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I’m thrilled to share some exciting news — I’ve officially joined the artist roster at Indiewalls, a visionary company that curates and commissions contemporary art for commercial spaces across the globe.

From boutique hotels to corporate headquarters and wellness environments, Indiewalls is known for transforming spaces through meaningful, site-specific art installations. Their mission resonates deeply with my own: to bring healing, inspiration, and beauty into people’s everyday environments.

💫 Why this partnership is exciting

My mixed media abstract paintings are rooted in the intention of well-being. Through layered color, texture, and light, I aim to create pieces that ground, uplift, and spark a sense of connection. The team at Indiewalls sees art the same way — not just as decoration, but as an emotional, experiential element that can enhance the quality of life.

Together, I see so much potential to infuse high-frequency artwork into spaces where people live, work, heal, and gather.

🌟 A few projects by Indiewalls that deeply inspire me

• The Arc: A modern senior living community infused with vibrant, emotionally resonant art that promotes dignity, joy, and calm.

• Leena Plantation: A thoughtful blend of regional storytelling and contemporary design — reminding us how art can both ground and elevate space.

• Allspring HQ: A dynamic collection in a corporate setting that blends brand vision with artistic expression — showing how art can inspire innovation and productivity.

These projects exemplify what’s possible when art and intention come together. I’m honored to now be part of their curated platform and to have the opportunity to contribute to future installations that prioritize human experience and creative presence.

💫 My profile on Indiewalls

🔗 You can view my artist profile and available works on Indiewalls here:
👉 debchaney @ indiewalls