Intangible Experiences: Honouring Abstract Painter Gwen Tooth

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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.

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

View Online Exhibit

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

SMIGs has changed...

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OK, I feel a little bad that I've kept you out of the loop. But honestly, there is no loop as I haven't told anyone before writing this blog. I changed SMIGs...a nightly ritual I made up to support artists and creative souls.


S - for success. For example, today I added 5 names to my database, worked on a project that for the sake of its creative gestation shall remain secret (for now), and had a great heart to heart talk with my mum.


Magic Moments - today I watched my daugther play in the ocean with another little boy, ohh it was so sweet. They were playing with a floating log and he was on the log and she was pushing him out to sea, it was so dear watching them work together.


Intuition - My intuition is guiding me to get more sleep and take care of myself right now. (this used to be Intention but this idea of holding some idea in tension seemed, well, a little tense so I decided to change it)


Gratitude - I'm so grateful for my Dad driving up the west coast with me and helping me move, i'm so grateful for a place to live, for all the wonderful phone calls and facebook posts on my facebook for my birthday, for being at whidbey island for the summer, for the ocean and the fresh air and peace and quite and I'm 'so grateful for my art and the joy it gives me to create it.


s - the little 's' reminds us to keep making small steps towards our dreams, goals and creative projects. Never, never, never give up. Shoot for the stars, you might hit the moon. The impossible just takes longer. Keep going.


Looking for a unique and personal gift?

Tote bags. Mugs. Aprons. Prints & Greeting Cards All with Deb's art.

The Little Inspiration Book, by DEB & Sand in my Bra

Deb's Original ART available to view and purchase

...in Beverly Hills paintings at SWITCH Boutique

...in Santa Barbara at Java Station Coffee House,

...in Los Angeles at Via Roma Boutique.


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