The Black & White Show—A New Direction for Where We Meet

The mood shifts with If You Wanna Be My Baby It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White II (Selected for Exhibition), 24" × 24" × 1.5", Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, Where We Meet Series, © Deb Chaney 2026 (Artwork shown in a styled setting; scale may vary from real life.)

When I first came across The Black & White Show at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center in California, I felt an immediate sense of excitement. The exhibition invited artists to submit work created entirely in black, white, and shades of grey—a beautiful creative limitation that immediately sparked an idea.

My ongoing series, Where We Meet  explores the universal experience of connection while maintaining our own individuality and sovereign sense of self. The paintings are built through many layers of acrylic and mixed media, creating textured surfaces that speak to inter-connection, relationships, and embracing our own individual uniqueness.

Removing colour from the equation felt like an exciting challenge. Rather than adapting an existing painting, I decided to create an entirely new pair of works specifically for this exhibition.

If You Wanna Be My Baby It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White

The titles were inspired by the familiar lyrics from Michael Jackson's song Black or White, reflecting one of the central ideas behind this series—that beneath our many differences, we all seek connection while respecting ourselves.

Working exclusively in black, white, and grey shifted my focus toward texture, value, rhythm, and the relationships between forms. What I initially thought might feel limiting quickly became liberating. Without colour competing for attention, the surfaces, marks, and quiet conversations between the squares became the heart of the work.

Although only one painting was selected for the exhibition, both pieces were conceived together as companions within this new monochrome exploration.

If You Wanna Be My Baby It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White I, 24" × 24" × 1.5", Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, Where We Meet Series, © Deb Chaney 2026

If You Wanna Be My Baby It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White II (Selected for Exhibition), 24" × 24" × 1.5", Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, Where We Meet Series, © Deb Chaney 2026

A Wonderful Gesture

As an international artist living on Gabriola Island, British Columbia, participating in U.S. exhibitions can occasionally present logistical challenges. In this case, the complexities of international shipping meant I wasn't able to send the painting to California in time for the in-person exhibit.

That said, I shared my situation with the Sacramento Fine Arts Center, fully expecting to withdraw from the exhibition. Instead, the organizers responded with remarkable generosity. They offered to continue featuring my accepted painting as part of the exhibition's online gallery for the duration of the show.

Their kindness transformed what initially felt like a disappointment into something worth celebrating, and I'm sincerely grateful for their support.

Explore the Exhibition

One of the joys of juried exhibitions is discovering the incredible range of artistic voices working within the same creative constraint. This year's exhibition includes photography, painting, drawing, and mixed media, each offering a unique interpretation of black, white, and grey.

I'm honoured to have my work included among such a diverse and talented group of artists. You can view their works along with my featured painting on the exhibit’s page here.

A New Chapter

Perhaps the greatest gift of this exhibition is not simply having a painting accepted. It's discovering that this monochrome branch of Where We Meet has its own visual language.

Sometimes a creative limitation doesn't narrow the possibilities—it reveals them. I have a feeling this is only the beginning.

Exhibition Details

The Black & White Show
July 14–August 8, 2026

Closing Reception
August 8, 5 PM–7 PM

Gallery Hours
Tue–Fri 11 AM–3 PM
Sat 11 AM–5 PM

Sacramento Fine Arts Center
5330 Gibbons Dr
Carmichael, CA 95608, USA
916-971-3713
info@sacfinearts.org
Black & White Art Show
Sacramento Fine Arts Center 

A Hidden Gem in Dunbar: Discovering Mónica Reyes Gallery

While visiting Vancouver in May, I had one of those wonderful little unexpected moments that remind me why I love wandering and staying open to surprise.

I was driving back from an outing when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a gallery I had somehow never noticed before. Tucked quietly into the Dunbar neighbourhood, it almost felt hidden away—understated, elegant, and quietly calling me in.

So naturally… I pulled the car over immediately.

As luck would have it, the gallery was just closing. But gallerist Mónica Reyes graciously stayed open for a few extra moments and warmly invited me in to enjoy the current exhibition. Those small acts of generosity and openness always stay with me.

The Exhibition

Stepping into the gallery, I took in the exhibit of Vancouver artist Julia Soderholm, whose work I found incredibly refreshing.

The paintings feel deeply rooted in observation of the natural world while remaining abstract and intuitive. Colour, gesture, movement, atmosphere, and memory all seem to coexist within the work. I especially loved the way certain pieces evoked landscape without ever becoming literal—moments of sky, water, trees, light, and distance all hinted at through layered marks and luminous colour relationships.

There’s a looseness and confidence in Julia’s paintings that I really appreciated. The work feels alive. Spacious. Unforced.

A few paintings in particular pulled me in—especially the larger works with saturated blues, greens, violets, and soft chartreuse passages that seemed to vibrate against one another. The paintings carried that beautiful balance between structure and intuition that I’m always so drawn to in abstract painting.

I also loved the scale and simplicity of the gallery itself. Clean white walls, beautiful natural light, and enough breathing room for the paintings to really speak.

If you’re in Vancouver and love contemporary abstract art, I highly recommend stopping in.

Exhibition Details

The day comes with a colour
Paintings by Julia Soderholm
May 14 – June 27, 2026

About the Artist Currently on Exhibit

Julia Soderholm is a Vancouver-based painter currently completing her MFA at Emily Carr University. Her work explores abstraction and landscape through layered paint, gesture, memory, and colour. The paintings invite viewers into a kind of re-enchantment with the natural world — something I could absolutely feel while standing in the gallery.

Gallery Information

Mónica Reyes Gallery
2895 West 33rd Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6N 2G3
604-339-2096
Instagram: @monicareyesgallery

Gallery Hours
Wed–Sat 11 AM–3 PM

The ARC Uncommon Vision Show

UNCOMMON VISION: GROUP SHOW/ MUSIC/ OPEN STUDIOS

JUNE 8th, 9th, 10th 2012

Fri & Sat: Opening Parties + Night Gallery 7pm - 12am

Sat & Sun: Day Gallery + Open Studios  12pm - 5pm

ARC Gallery:  1701 Powell Street @ Commercial map

A SHOWCASE OF ART AT THE ARC

The ARC, one of the only live work artist buildings in Vancouver, has been providing provocative "Uncommon" group exhibitions since 2003. It is a great way to see some truly local art.

With part of the proceeds going to Studio 101, an East Side Culture Crawl young artists’ initiative, this is an event that resonates with creativity and community spirit. “The ARC is an integral part of the Eastside Culture Crawl and a much-loved part of the community. It was particularly generous of the residents there to make Studio 101 a recipient of partial proceeds from Uncommon Thread 2011. We are very grateful that they have offered to do so again this year." (Jeffrey Boone, Executive Director of the Eastside Culture Crawl)

During the annual East Side Culture Crawl, the ARC has always been a destination building.  A dynamic residence of nearly eighty artists of multiple disciplines, home to some and a launch pad for others, this environment creates a stimulating culture for new and explorative art.

The Uncommon Vision show is the East Side "crawlers"  fix to get them through the 12-month gap, and the artists are eager to supply, with only their most pure

and potent works.  

Contact: Karen Moe karenmoephotography@gmail.com /

604-787-1806

In the media:

Georgia Strait:  http://www.straight.com/contest/vancouver/win-exclusive-prize-package-arcs-annual-uncommon-show

Vancouver Courier: http://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/Drop+portraits+monsters/6713485/story.html

Artists in Our MIdsts 2012 Open Studio at Laura Jewitt's

This year marked the Artists in our Midsts 20th Anniversary show, both our opening night show downtown at the Roundhouse Community Center in Yaletown and also our 3 day Open Studio Event where I had the honor to show my work at Laura Jewitt's store. 

A HUGE Special Thanks to Jon and Laura at Laura K Jewitt's Jewelry Store on West 10th Ave here in Vancouver for hosting myself and Marion Webber for the AIOM (Artists In Our Midsts) 2012 Open Studio Show and Sale over the May long weekend. What a wonderul experience hanging out with AWESOME people. A Special thanks also to Linda our "drag queen" (!!!) who brought even more customers in, to Bailey for encouraing people to sign up for the draw, and to Marjory for helping to process sales of gift cards, note pads and Little Gems .

And of course to Laura the Marketing Queen - everyone just LOVED your goodie bags. What a great idea. Thank you so much for all your efforts on behalf of Marion and myself!

Looking at the front entrance to the store. Raw Expression original paintings on paper in the corner, the two matching pink 'Romance' pieces each next to the front door. And a portion of Marion's river series, beautiful oil paintings - more to come in the next photos.

Jon keeping an eye out. You can see Mystic Places painting  in the center background - as of now that painting is still available. Click here for a close up view of Mystic Places: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/PureAbstraction.html#16

 Two paintings are seen here, on the left "Breathing Space" (SOLD) and "Leaping into the Unknown" which is still available as of the date of this blog. Click here to see it up close and personal: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/Emerging.html#0

 Marion Webber glowing in the happiness of having sold several large beautiful oil paintings over the course of the weekend. Go Marion!

 One of our 300+ visitors that stopped by over the weekend and enjoyed tea, lemonade and a bunch of treats. Marion's beautiful flowers here in the background.

 Love this center series of Marion's trees, it reminds me of the interior of BC and makes me think of the small of pine needles and that good feeling I have when I'm camping and just being in nature.

 Jon and myself posing in front of Marion's  beautiful artworks.

Raw Expression series up close and accesible. 

 Table display with the AIOM sign out front in viting customers to come on in!

 In front of Laura's store. On the left IBHF ( see this painting up close at: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/PureAbstraction.html#10)

and to the right of the front entrance "Vermont in a Snowstorm" ( this painting up close: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/Emerging.html#2)

 uh oh... Laura... I think you missed that lady!!!!

 Jon hangin' with my yoga girls!

 Jon and myself in front of "Breathing Space" painting. 

 Marion and myself in front of her work.

 Celebrating with champagne at the end! Wonderful weekend. Friends were made. Art sold. Good times enjoyed by all! Thank you so much Jon and Laura!

Deb Chaney Art Home Show Pictures

Photos taken byAnurag Bansal and David Bozzini from the art home show. Special thanks to

both of these wonderful men for taking photos. Also, thank you for Jack Mohr of Artamo Gallery for stopping by - this was an honor. April for a beautiful job on the food and musical interludes. Matthew-san for driving all the way down from San Francisco! Dad, thanks for your supportive email. I am blessed to know you all and receive your applause and support. Thank you.