Studio for Rent, Dec 1st, Vancouver, BC

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Artist Studio for Rent Dec 1. 2010. At 1790 Vernon Drive and called the Old Foundry Building. The building houses many small businesses and our part is about 1800 square feet. We house artists and film makers. Our neighbours are an iron worker and a carpenter and a stone workers. The space that is available costs 229.00 and is about 225 square feet. It shares 450 square feet with another person who is rarely there. Good light access to water and no heat (everyone uses space heaters. Electricity is paid for in the 229.00. There are two other painters in the space one downstairs and one up adjacent to the space that is available. The rest of the ware house which is used by people in the film industry who essentially use it for storage. We are on in Culture Crawl. Inquiries Rojia Dash - rojia121@hotmail.com

Introducing the artists at the Old Foundry Building

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Introducing the Artists working at 1790 and 1760 Vernon Drive,
The Old Foundry Buildling (map link)

The artist at the Old Foundry Building. We are stone and wood sculptures, sketchers, painters, jewerly makers, metal workers, designers, cooks and more. Come visit us November 26-27 28th Friday Saturday and Sunday for our OPEN STUDIO EVENT exhibits and sales during the 14th Annual Culture Crawl.

A bit about the "Old Foundry Warehouse" We do not have a date when the warehouse was built but it originally was a foundry. Some of the things that were made and repaired at the foundry were varied and spanned several industries. There was marine parts, wood processing, railway parts and mining supplies - wheels to bollards. Cast steel, cast iron, bronze and copper were some of the materials used to produce items. Now the Old Foundry Building houses many small businesses from several artists, to a fitness centre, to a dog day care and there remains one iron worker.


Marie Bortolotto

Sculpture


Marie Bortolotto is a sculptor living in Vancouver, BC Canada who works primarily in stone and wood to create contemporary sculptures based on simple organic forms found in nature. She graduated from the NSCAD University, 1996, with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree focusing on sculpture and performance art. During this time, she lived and worked in Pietrasanta, Italy, a mecca for international stone sculptors and artisans. Currently, her work explores the vessel form with its multiple uses as a functional object and a ceremonial one. Intrigued by how all life feeds on life, her hand carved vessels articulate an awareness of the responsibility of feeding beyond oneself, into the invisible realm of ancestry and memory where reverence and gratitude are evoked. Overall, her work is inspired by the underlying belief in the power of art to transform, renew and sustain our modern human lives. See website www.mariebortolotto.com

Russell Broughton

Sculpture


Russell Broughton graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. He studied stone carving in the Vaucluse region of France. The current body of work represents the past year’s exploration of various organic and structural themes.

Russell makes his home in Vancouver with his very patient husband and two busy little dogs.

Deb Chaney

Contemporary Abstract Painting



Deb Chaney is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists, since 2007. She has been painting for over ten years both large and small layered mixed media abstract paintings on canvas and paper.

Her work is exhibited at SWITCH Boutique in Beverly Hills and Castle Estate Dealers of Kerrisdale in Vancouver. Deb was recently commissioned by RainMaker Films, Inc. and her art is held by private collectors throughout the world.

She is predominantly self-taught, she has enjoyed privilege of studying with several prominent Californian artists such as Ann Baldwin, Bob Burridge, and Adolfo Girala.

Deb is also a published writer. She is the author of The Little Inspiration Book, Ideas to Empower Women [2000. Trafford Publishing.] and a contributing author to Sand in my Bra, Funny Women Write From the Road [2002. Traveler’s Tales Publishing].

As well as maintaining her own studio practice, she teaches Illuminate the Artist Within™ workshops, and weekly abstract painting classes at Brock House Community Center in Vancouver. www.debchaney.com


Heather Craig

Painting and Drawing


Heather Craig earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. She continued her education at Simon Fraser University where she received a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Her first career was in health care, practicing as a nurse in numerous capacities in various parts of Canada and the USA. Along side the practice of art Heather is active in other fields. Currently she is working to change the way we treat people with mental illnesses by raising funds for research in depression, through speaking engagements, through writing and as an educator at the University of British Columbia in the School of Medicine. Her continuing studies, her observations about life, and her engagement with volunteer and professional work informs her artwork. Heather lives and works in Vancouver, BC. www.heathercraigsart.com

Rojia Dadashzadeh

Painting/Greeting Card




Rojia Dadashzadeh lives and works in Vancouver. She comes from a diverse creative background. She graduated with honours in fine arts from University of Waterloo. She continued her post graduate studies at Sheridan in New Media Design. She worked in Vancouver for numerous creative studios including VRX Studio, Studio B production and Coastal Jazz (Vancouver International Jazz Festival) as a graphic and web designer. She then moved to Paris where she attended Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School and became a chef in cuisine and pastry. She returned to Vancouver in September 2008 and has been actively involved in the art community ever since. At the moment she works at her studio in the Old Foundry Building. She also works in the Kitchen at John Bishop's restaurant and teaches art at John Oliver High School. She is studying character development through clownology at the Fantastic Space Enterprise.


Oliver Harwood

Sculpture


Oliver Harwood was born in Paksong, Laos in 1969 Oliver grew up between Laos, Thailand, South

Africa, Switzerland and Canada. Oliver took a 4 year Bachelor of Arts in

History at University of New Brunswick, then attended Nova Scotia College

of Art and Design, graduating with a BFA in 1996. At NSCAD Oliver focused

on drawing and sculpture and was accepted for his first solo exhibition by

the end of first year. In his second year Oliver received a scholarship to

study in Italy where he lived and carved in the famous region of Carrara.

Surrounded by the beauty of Tuscany, Oliver found himself working in the

vicinity of numerous international sculptors, learning much through

discussion and observation. Since art college Oliver has produced several

bodies of work for exhibitions and has complete several private and public

sculpture commissions. His work is collected in Canada and USA. Since 2004

Oliver has lived in Vancouver, BC and continues to develop his sculpture

for exhibition and public art. 

www.oliverfineart.com or www.studiostone.ca

Rosa Quintana Lillo

Painting and Drawing



For the last fifteen years, Rosa Quintana Lilo has worked on mixed media paintings out of her studios in Vancouver and Agassiz and at various Residencies at Emma Lake, Saskatchewan and Mexico. Her work communicates an introspective reflection of psychology and nature. Immersing herself into the atmosphere of her surrounding environment is where she finds the catalysts needed to paint her inspired works. Her lines and textures are expressionistic conveying mood, affecting the surfaces in unpredictable ways. Her paintings incorporate mixed media acrylics, inks, waxes and glues. Her work is in collections throughout Europe, the US, Canada and Mexico. She has worked for some of Canada’s most prominent West Coast First Nations artists, Bill Reid, Robert Davidson and Susan Point. Her primary work for these artists was the production of carvings, rubber moulds and castings in various materials. She has worked for the Vancouver Film Industry as a sculptor and Props maker, as a mould maker and caster for contemporary Vancouver artists and as a sessional instructor at Emily Carr University and The Art Institute of Vancouver.

She is currently working on the production of ongoing/new bodies of work out of her studios in Vancouver and Agassiz, British Columbia.

www.rosaquintanalillo.com



Simon Muscat

Stone Carvings and Jewelry


' Yap' sterling silver and leather neck piece.


Simon Muscat at the age of 18 emigrated to Canada from Malta to pursue a career in jewelry. In my twenties attended various arts and craft schools in Ontario,exploring a range of mediums and materials . My twenties and thirties living in Toronto and supporting myself through my jewelry making. By my early forties had a wonderful opportunity to move to the west coast to Salt Spring island to start gem carving with one of north America foremost gem carvers. This allowed me to integrate gem carving to my jewelry making. Now in my mid fifties, have turned my focus to carving granite in conjunction to building . www.simonmuscat.com





Getting ready for the East End Culture Crawl...

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I am slowly but surely getting ready for the East Side Culture Crawl. In preparations the organizers have asked us to provide various materials for the media and to educate visitors to out work and backgrounds. Here are some public relations pieces I have put together recently for that purpose. For full details on the locations and times of my open studio, pls see the previous blog post. Thank you.

Here is the piece that (fingers crossed) will be submitted in the Red Book.. . a binder kept at the information kiosk for the Crawl so that visitors can thumb through it and see what studios they might like to visit.

By the way... the images you see in this poster are all 9 x 12" and all originals and for sale at my studio. My guess is these will go fast so be there friday night 6pm!


A behind the scenes visual of what goes into my paintings...
All the details about myself as an artist, this OPEN STUDIO event, artist statement, blah blah blah! :)

“ I am excited to be participating in The Crawl for the first time and am honored to have spent this year working alongside my studio mates at The Old Foundry Building”

-Deb Chaney


New to The Crawl

This is Deb Chaney’s first year participating in The Crawl as she recently moved back to her hometown of Vancouver after spending a decade pursuing her craft in Southern California.


The Exhibit

Large and small works from the last five years of painting will be on exhibit and available for sale. Deb will also be unveiling a special series of paintings developed in partnership with Vancouver sound artist Gregory Rosa to visually accompany the CD release FULL MOON FROG POND.


Artist Bio

Deb Chaney is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists, since 2007. She has been painting for over ten years both large and small layered mixed media abstract paintings on canvas and paper.


Her work is exhibited at SWITCH Boutique in Beverly Hills and Castle Estate Dealers of Kerrisdale in Vancouver. Deb was recently commissioned by RainMaker Films, Inc. and her art is held by private collectors throughout the world.


She is predominantly self-taught, she has enjoyed privilege of studying with several prominent Californian artists such as Ann Baldwin, Bob Burridge, and Adolfo Girala.


Deb is also a published writer. She is the author of The Little Inspiration Book, Ideas to Empower Women [2000. Trafford Publishing.] and a contributing author to Sand in my Bra, Funny Women Write From the Road [2002. Traveler’s Tales Publishing].


As well as maintaining her own studio practice, she teaches Illuminate the Artist Within™ workshops, and weekly abstract painting classes at Brock House Community Center in Vancouver.


Artist Statement

I create large contemporary abstract paintings, rich in texture, with many intriguing layers of mixed media, acrylics, liquid metals, iridescent powders, sand, and collage elements. My creative process begins with inspiration from nature.


Sometimes I gather raw materials such as sand to include in my work. I begin each piece by journaling and making sketches about the initial inspiration and its essence. When I paint I let the painting guide me—“listening” to the piece in progress--and allowing it to guide me to its next step. I paint with large sky flow brushes, palette knives, sea sponges, sturdy workshop rags, and even my fingers and sleeves.


It's coming..Canada's biggest open artist studio event!

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What: it's coming..Canada's biggest open artist studio event! the East End Culture Crawl.

Where: The Old Foundry Building, 1790 Vernon Drive, East Vancouver, BC, V6A 3T8

Friday November 26th 5-10 PM
Saturday November 27th 11 am - 6 PM
Sunday November 28th 11 am - 6PM

Why: This is a chance to see over 300 artists in their studios...see their work, look at their workplaces. Everything from wood art, metal art, painting, ceramics and more. Be part of something special. See where the magic happens behind the scenes...

How do I find Deb Chaney's studio?
The Old Foundry Building, 1790 Vernon Drive, East Vancouver, BC, V6A 3T8

What Deb will have available:

Deb will have large original abstract art on canvas as well as gift cards, small 8 x10 and 5x7 prints - ranging from $5 on up. Here's a sample of a small 9 x 12 original on canvas for only $35. There are many, many more unique pieces like this to choose from.



Special offers & promotions during this 3 day time:

Each day a raffle with your business cards will be held with a chance to win a 5 x7 " print of one of Deb's most popular print images "valley of hearts".
Deb will also be offering workshop discounts and packages of private lesson discounts for those of you that sign up at the Crawl. Ask about this when you visit her studio. See you there!


The big party Friday November 26th 5-10 PM We'll have finger food, non-alcoholic beverages, music and more for our opening night. Join us!

Children are welcome! We will have a special craft table set up for kids with art supplies so they can stay busy while parents enjoy the art work and meet the artists!

Come early on friday...we'll have veggie "frog legs" and "pond punch" and other munchies! (please note that Crawl rules are that all alcohol is prohibited, thank you)

California Road Trip final destination: Pacific Grove

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After Ashland and Half Moon Bay our final stop was Pacific Grove where we stayed for several days and enjoyed this sleepy sea side town. Deer literally wander around town amongst the Cypress and Eucalyptus trees. The coastline is so beautiful its hypnotic to just sit and watch the surf rolling in. I will definitely be coming back here!







Beautiful architecture.



Peppers Mexican restaurant - awesome Mexican food and ambiance!

Totally chillen' at the beach... while we were there we saw a pod of about 14 dolphins jumping and playing out in the ocean.
Nothing like the Pacific Coast...



Courtyards within courtyards at the B&B where we stayed. Quiet and quaint.

Road trip stop #2: Half Moon Bay, California

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Our second stop was to visit our friends Tom and Rachel the co-authors of Alfonso the Christmas Pumpkin, a sweet children's book and wonderful gift for any little ones in your life. They were expecting a baby any minute when we were visiting...so if you see their picture and she looks pregnant - she is!!!

Tom and Rachel live in quaint little Half Moon Bay, California - right outside the San Francisco Bay area. This time of year was the Famous Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, so there was pumpkin paraphernalia and decorations everywhere. Here are a few photos from our explorations around town and along the coast...


Tom and Rachel minutes away from baby delivery...a nice pre-child dinner out.

Greg & Deb done up and out for dinner in Half Moon Bay.


Gorgeous architecture...




pumpkins everywhere..










Believe it or not I think someone lives in this reconstructed boat!



A retreat center we came across on the beach...very interesting




Ashland, Oregon

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This October I drove from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, California to meet with a friend who is opening an art gallery downtown San Francisco next year.

My boyfriend and I decided to make a trip of it and made a few artistically inspirational stops along the way that I wanted to share with you here from our trip.

Here's our first stop in Ashland, Oregon -where the annual Shakespeare festival is held- and where we enjoyed some fabulous food at the Dragon Fly Restaurant, a walk through town and some time in nature at the park located in the center of town.













Recent Studio happenings - October 2010

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Recent studio happenings from this summer 2010 and fall...

Lulu Fiedler, jewelry maker by trade, decided she wanted to learn abstract painting and signed up for a series of six private lessons with myself in the studio. Her jewerly work is fabulous and for view at www.starfishbylulu.com. Lulu is working on abstract landscape pieces and her goal is to paint a large piece for her home.

This painting in process is making me think of frogs and frog ponds!

I"m in love with a new liquitex product! Liquitex Pouring medium - its like using the gloss medium and varnish but with a lower viscosity. Very cool.
A glipse of my new custom made dry rack table. I can work on up to six large painting and have them dry flat underneath the table. Works really well for my painting style.

Getting organized with a tryptic commision painting on the right table there. In the background is a piece that needs a few more layers...I'm still getting up the courage to touch that one!
In the background on the wall, Song for a Winter's Night painting in process. Just a few more layers and she's there. Love the dark graphite underneath the thick snow-like glossy waxy layers. I used Nancy Reyner's Encaustic formula for this one as well as lots of other products such a s moulding paste, pouring medium and regular gel! It's been a labour of love!
Odd random studio shots....

Often times when I'm working I stop and stand on a chair to give myself perspective on the painting I'm working on. Here's what It looks like up on that chair!

Studio visitor - artist Lisa Penz

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This summer fellow Vancouver artist Lisa Penz came to paint and play with Ruthie and I in my studio....a wonderful afternoon was had by all! Please scroll down past the photos for details about Lisa and her work and recent accomplishments.














Lisa Penz is proud to announce that she will be showcasing her stylish acrylic pop portraits at Aphrodite’s Organic Cafe (3598 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC/604-733-8308) starting June 22, 2010 from 10 am to 9:30 pm 7 days a week.

Penz, known for her alluring explorations into female imagery, has participated in only very exclusive public exhibitions since returning from Australia in 2008, citing a need to revisit her artistic expression. Recently, she begun showing her work to the mainstream market again starting with a custom painting of Coco Rocha commissioned by the international model for her annual ‘Strut For A Cure’ cancer fundraiser gala and live auction hosted at the magnificent Berkeley Church on May 27 in downtown Toronto.

“I am excited about the opportunity to showcase my art to Vancouver again.” says Penz. “Aphrodite’s is a unique and dynamic venue that really supports the contemporary art movement – a rare opportunity in the Lower Mainland.”

Penz’s style focuses on highlighting dramatic female features. Within each painting, Penz uses her talent for creating vibrant and invoking images to tell a story that captivates and inspires onlookers.

Fans of Penz’s work will also be treated to exquisite alternative themes that she has explored. This includes Penz’s venture into roses, which according to the artist, are “similar to painting women because they have many layers, that when unfolded, reveal beautiful perspectives. Most artists like to experiment with other themes, just to enhance their creative approach, and I’m not alone in that by any means. Unfortunately, most of us do not get to present these journeys when we exhibit – we only get to show one side of our talent. It’s nice to be able to tell my whole story as an artist at a single venue; at a single point in time.”

Penz’s work will be available for viewing from June 22 to July 15. Select prints will also be available for purchase on location. Visit www.lisapenz.com for more information about the artist.


Penz is available for interviews and private tours of the gallery. Please contact her at lisapenz@lisapenz.com or phone at 604-512-0555.

Brock House class gets painting!

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We have a full house this fall at Brock House community center for the experimental and energizing abstract painting class in acrylics. After talking about how to set up,design composition and the three c's (curious? next 2 day workshop in Vancouver October 30/31st register info@debchaney.com) students got painting! Here are some photos from the class...














Fall 2010 Two Day Intensive Abstract Painting Workshops

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Upcoming Workshop Event Announcement! This Fall 2010 Illuminate the Artist Within™ proudly presents two day workshops in Vancouver and North Vancouver introducing energizing and experimental abstract painting with Deb Chaney. Join us in Vancouver Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 5pm September 25 & 26, October 30 & 31 or in North Vancouver November 27 & 28th.

This is a two-day class where you’ll learn the fundamentals of abstract painting. Each portion of the class

will progressively introduce new techniques and skills—such as glazing, layering, removal, staining—and we’ll also cover lifting of paints and layering of collage elements. This is a fun and intense workshop! Emphasis is on experimentation and play as it relates to the creative process.

The workshop cost is $285. Space is limited, so please act now to secure your space if you are interested. Complete details are provided below.

Bring a Friend Deal; register with a friend and receive $20 off your workshop registration. Register now to reserve your spot, call 604-736-5111 or Email info@debchaney.com. Visit for full details www.debchaney.com/workshops

“The things I learned in the workshop about creativity, expression, control and practice, all have great relevance to my life as a whole. Deb did more than just pass on artistic technique. I feel she laid the groundwork for an understanding of how I can let go and enjoy being creative!” ~Sarah E. Vancouver, BC

“Deb Chaney's workshop was wonderful because it helped rejuvenate my inspiration in my art. She explained a technique, showed you how to do it and then let you explore on your own. What I loved was that I left with an abundance of information and examples to take home so that I could continue what I learned.”

- Patricia Kaplan, Los Angeles, CA

TO REGISTER CONTACT:

Deb Chaney, SCA

Contemporary Abstract Artist

Studio The Old Foundry Building, 1790 Vernon Drive, Vancouver, BC V6A 3T8

Phone (604) 736-5111

Email info@debchaney.com

_____________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION TO ENERGIZNG AND EXPERIMENTAL ABSTRACT PAINTING

Dates, Times & Locations

September Workshop (Vancouver West)

Saturday, September 25, 10AM to 5PM

Sunday, September 26, 10AM to 5PM


October Workshop (Vancouver West)

Saturday, October 30, 10AM to 5PM

Sunday, October 31, 10AM to 5PM

November Workshop (North Vancouver)

Saturday, November 27, 10AM to 5PM

Sunday, November 28th, 10AM to 5PM

Cost & Requirements

$285 Paid in advance

Student level: All levels welcome

Materials list & Exact Class Location provided upon registration

Registration Information

We accept Credit Card, Debit, Cash or Personal Cheque. Email us your intent to participate with your full contact information (Your name, Address, Email, Phone) and we’ll process your registration. Thank yoiu info@debchaney.com 604-736-5111.

Fall Classes in Abstract Acrylics - Brock House Vancouver

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Art - Energizing & Experimental Abstract Painting in Acrylics - 2010 Fall Class at Brock House in Vancouver, BC


BROCK HOUSE SOCIETY - 3875 Point Grey Road, Vancouver, BC, V6R 1B3
phone: 604-228-1461

cost: $80/9 weeks

convenor: Deb Chaney

location: Art Room

Dates: September 14 - November 9

AR102

This is an energizing and informative abstract painting class with an emphasis on experimentation & creative process. Students will learn the fundamentals of abstract painting. Building on this foundation, each class will progressively introduce new techniques and skills. Techniques include glazing, layering, removal, staining, lifting of paints as well as layering in collage elements. How to achieve line, depth, texture & interest in the paintings will be covered. We will be using liquid & heavy body acrylics, as well as acrylic mediums and gels and paper collage elements. Each week builds on the next with a demonstration at the start of each class and plenty of time to practice and experiment with the techniques & concepts shown.
A list of materials necessary for this course is available in the office



A few spots left for the August Workshop...

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There are A few spots left for the August Introduction to Mixed Media Abstract Painting in Acrylics Workshop here in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Illuminate The Artist Within Presents
INTRO TO MIXED MEDIA AND ACRYLICS
An Abstract Painting Workshop with Deb Chaney
Saturday August 28 & Sunday August 29th, 10AM to 5PM

Students will learn the fundamentals of abstract painting. Building on this foundation, each portion of this class will progressively introduce new techniques and skills. Techniques include glazing, layering, removal, staining, lifting of paints as well as layering in collage elements. How to achieve line, depth, texture & interest in their paintings will be covered. We will be using liquid and heavy body acrylics, acrylic mediums and gels, and paper collage elements.

This is a two-day workshop with an emphasis on experimentation and creative process. Space is limited, so RSVP today!

To Register
Send cheque payable to:
Deb Chaney c/o The Old Foundry Building
1790 Vernon Drive
Vancouver, BC V6A 3T8
(604) 736-5111
info@debchaney.com

Location
OPUS Framing and Art Supply North Vancouver
120 Lonsdale Ave, 2nd Floor,
North Vancouver, BC, V7M 2E8
Map: Google Maps
Phone: 604-904-0447

Cost
$285 (materials list provided upon registration)

Abstract Mixed Media Workshop

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Illuminate The Artist Within Presents
INTRO TO MIXED MEDIA AND ACRYLICS
An Abstract Painting Workshop with Deb Chaney
Saturday July 31 & Sunday August 1, 10AM to 5PM

Students will learn the fundamentals of abstract painting. Building on this foundation, each portion of this class will progressively introduce new techniques and skills. Techniques include glazing, layering, removal, staining, lifting of paints as well as layering in collage elements. How to achieve line, depth, texture & interest in their paintings will be covered. We will be using liquid and heavy body acrylics, acrylic mediums and gels, and paper collage elements.

This is a two-day workshop with an emphasis on experimentation and creative process. Space is limited, so RSVP today!

To Register
Send cheque payable to:
Deb Chaney c/o The Old Foundry Building
1790 Vernon Drive
Vancouver, BC V6A 3T8
(604) 736-5111
info@debchaney.com

Location
OPUS Framing and Art Supply North Vancouver
120 Lonsdale Ave, 2nd Floor,
North Vancouver, BC, V7M 2E8
Map: Google Maps
Phone: 604-904-0447

Cost
$285 (materials list provided upon registration)


Deb Chaney is a contemporary abstract artist, painting large, layered, mixed media abstract works on canvas and paper. She has been painting in acrylics and mixed media for ten years and has sold and exhibited paintings in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, and Vancouver. She is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists. Her passion is painting and inspiring others to find their creative groove. She is the creator of the Illuminate The Artist Within series of workshops.



Introducing Artist Jessica Bell

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I’m sitting here in Gastown which is I think the oldest part of Vancouver and definitely one of the most beautiful. The sun is out and there are big looming fluffy grey and white clouds in the sky as well as big blue patches of sky with the sun shining straight through. This burst of light is often a miracle in Vancouver.


I have been visiting with Jessica bell www.jessicabellart.com in her studio and have just entered her world of landscape painting and collage, papers, threads, knitting and patience methodical passion and purpose.

I met Jessica Bell at the Old Foundry Building when she was interviewing me as one of the potential artists to join the collective there. Lucky for me I got her old studio space and from there a connection as made and I knew we just had to get together again. Jessica moved to Gastown, her studio in the heart of this old town part of Vancouver that has beautiful old buildings, red bricks and a sense of style and artistry to it in its beautiful raw state. I love being down to visit Gastown.


Describing Jessica’s artwork or her process of making it one must take a step back and picture her methodically walking or riding her pedal bicycle over the Granville Street Bridge, heading north, her journey from her home to her studio that she consciously takes four days week to her studio to do her work. This journey and her observations of the buildings, landscapes, architecture, textures, lights and features of the city is what inspires her work.

Visually gas town is so stimulating it deserves its own photo blog in itself. And so in speaking with her father about the source of inspiration for her work Jess began www.onesee.tumblr.com, giving viewers an insight into the what she sees as she walks to her studio and in and around Vancouver that feeds and nourishes her work = the buildings, the layers, the views, the landscaping, the fragments and pieces that visually make up the city around her. This is the visual gathering she does on her walk and brings these to her studio to create her mixed media pieces.


Jessica started knitting at the age of four and as we talked she knit and spoke about the threads - both metaphorical and literal- throughout her work and her life. Her work is incredibly dynamic…She starts with a fabric, a textures and some colours and lets each piece evolve, layer by layer from there. Using found objects, textured fabrics and papers, pattern paper, thread, knitted works, paper, acrylics paints and GAC mediums.

What pervades in most all her pieces is that sense of space, in thoughtful and careful placement of each element. Space is something she talked about quite a bit in our two hours together at her studio. Time and space required by artists to composed the images, ideas, and concepts until they are ready to bring these new germinated ideas from seed to growth on panel, or on paper as is the case. But the emphasis in the conversation was the importance and the fundamental need for space, time, quiet, walking, looking, being, resting and how this is as important as the making of the art itself.

After listening to Jess talk about the fact that her work is her communication of her observations with the world, her discussion of the city around her, I truly saw her work in a whole different light. Well, in a whole different view – a bird’s eye view per say. I saw trees looking down; I saw buildings and wires, and a pattern of metal from the recycling depot down from the Old Foundry Building where she once worked.

What inspired me utterly was Jessica’s sense of clarity about what she is creating and communicating and her clear sense of artist direction and purpose. Her studio reflected this clarity, tidiness and organization. She was busy getting some paintings ready for the RTF show .

Title is important the title of each of her pieces is important to her and for us the viewer because Jessica’s work can seem so abstract to the initial viewer, giving he title as a hint, and a closer look, you will being to see what she saw and felt as she walked through the city stress and let the pieces of the painting come to her.

Her work is a two-way communication and her wish is that her work is seen. And her dream is that, to have her work in the work – both the original and in print publications, for the world to see and receive her gift through this art.

It was a delight to visits with you Jessica and I am thankful for allowing to be in your sacred studio space for you sharing your time with me and sharing your true self with myself and other artist here. Thank you.



See Jessica's work upcoming at Cheaper Show (www.thecheapershow.com) which takes place here in Vancouver in June.

Recent Studio happenings

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Slow but sure progress in the studio...



Latest art supply novelty: Lyra pencil crayons. I've been using these along with C'aran Dash non water soluble crayons and spraying them with workable fixative.


Notes on my n ext step with this piece. Considerations on note papers for the next step I might take...






Pondering adding another colour...or two? Always tempting to add more but so often simple is best.

Staying focussed on solutions...Reminders always help!



Adding interesting things into your mixed media paintings

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Sands Of Time
Pure Abstraction Series
16 x 16 x 1 1/2" Mixed Media, Acrylics & Sand
on canvas
(c) Deb Chaney 2009
Original and Prints Available at the date of this post
(604) 736-5111

Feng Shui Recommendation: This painting was created to enhance your health and vitality.
Place it in the center of your home or office to amplify this area of your life.

I received an interesting Email last week from an artist who had some questions about experimenting with adding various different medias into her acrylic mixed media work. She knew that I'm a big fan of putting sand into my work (see Sands of Time above) where I used heavy gel medium and then dabbed found beach sand on top of it using a sponge and then painted over that.

The challenge when we begin to add foreign medias into our paintings is that we really don't know what's in them nor if they are archival and will encourage the degradation of the painting itself. There could be some interesting bacteria living in that sand that decide to bloom a year from now and this painting may in fact take on a totally different look and vibe! Perhaps a new selling feature to my work, who knows. Either way here is the question that sparked this blog:


Here is the original question:


You mentioned you use sand on your paintings. Have you tried using
sugar? Wondering if that could work. I actually tried it and it looks
pretty good. I've also put vinegar onto canvas by accident (thought it
was water) but it created a neat faux-finish look. Would you recommend
vinegar & sugar? Or is that a bad idea... I don't want to attract any
ants - haha!
Here were a few of my thoughts about adding sugar, salt and vinegar to her acrylics...

Vinegar and sugar are both really acidic so they will degrade with time. That's your biggest concern is that their are not archival. The question is, if you combine and layer them enough with mediums and paints can you make them permanent? Hmmmmm

PS what about salt too - like regular or the large crystal epsom salts you get in the drug store. These can create amazing effects....Worth a try...
the other thing I'm wondering is if the salt and sugar would dissolve with the water we use with the acrylics....

very interesting...

And then we decided to take it one step further and ask our friend and acrylic paint technician from GOLDEN paints, Ulysses Jackson, what his thoughts were. As you can see he had a lot to add to this conversation!

The question you sent is very interesting.   Sand is a rather benign mineral that once glued down by the acrylic binder will be stable unless there is not enough “glue” to hold the individual sand particles in place.  Sugar is very hygroscopic by nature this means that it likes to pull and hold onto moisture from the air or wet acrylic paint.  What an artist may find is that  films with sugar added in could be permanently water sensitive, possibly even mold, and yes attracting ants is a possibility.  Golden makes Clear Granular Gel that has an acrylic solid in it that has some resemblance to very large sugar crystals. This product may be too regular in shape for this artist or does not allow them not sprinkle it on.   Another option could be looking into recycled glass products as they are available in many sizes and grades. 
 
Using vinegar in art is untested and would have to be considered veryexperimental.  If one were to try this there are a number of issues to be aware of.  First acrylic paints are produced with an alkaline pH that allows the acrylic binder particles to remain stable in water. If an acid like vinegar was poured onto wet acrylic the pH would be altered and there most likely would be acrylic shock that occurs. This may granulate the paint and would definitely  weaken the physical properties causing less resistance to water, and solvents in the future.   We have not tested the effect of vinegar, also known as acetic acid, on the longevity of art materials and would suggest caution when this may be of concern. While acetic acid is volatile we do not know how long it would take for a quantity to leave an acrylic paint film. This means that the curing process may be slowed dramatically   causing unforeseen issues of stickiness or intercoat adhesion when layering.  Also, some pigments are very sensitive to acids, for example if vinegar is placed on a dried film of Ultramarine Blue it will turn areas of contact white permanently.
 
Flooding dried Light Molding Paste with acrylic paint and water stains could offer interesting effects without the use of an acid.  Also dripping or misting Airbrush Colors, or  Airbrush Medium into stains made of water and acrylic paints offers many effects of diffusion, repulsion.  If there is another specific effect this artist is trying to achieve we would be happy to try to figure out a way for them to create it.
 
Best,
Ulysses Jackson
Technical Services

Have some interesting questions yourself about mixed media acrylic painting or being in creative process and experience some challenges? Please send them to info@debchaney.com