Your wild & precious life

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Wild&Precious_IMAGE.jpg Today's quote  from the poet Mary Oliver "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Personally, I plan to feel good, dance, and make lots of art. I plan to adventure in beautiful natural places. I plan to help others by living as an example, in my truth, by being authentic and living an inspired life.  I plan to walk through deep clear puddles in the rain. To appreciate the magic moments. To dream, to write, to allow myself to desire great things for my life. To read great, entertaining and wonderful novels. To daydream and  play along side forest streams. To eat and enjoy gourmet food. To swim naked in the ocean. To camp. To sit by the fire and feel the warmth. To be with horses. To have a dog. To be with and of love and light. To eat layered chocolate vanilla ice-cream cake. I plan to attend a Coldplay concert. I plan to share connections with people  I love who inspire me, energize me, and help me collaborate with them in making both our lives even better. To visit the Hadaii Gwaii. To be at peace with the moment. To feel gratitude for all the good that has been, that is now, that is to come.

and you? what are you wild and wonderful plans?

New work! A to Z i, ii & iii

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All3AtoZ_DC2016.jpg “A to Z” i, ii and ii 9” x 12” Mixed Media on Loose Canvas (c) Deb Chaney 2016 www.debchaney.com original available at date of post, prints and giclees for sale at https://www.saatchiart.com/debchaney

I recently found an old dictionary at a thrift store, along with some new acrylic spray paint, so these started the process, inspired by practice and play. A friend of mine gave me some India ink and that came next. I blended acrylics with my fingers and results are these three Little Gem paintings ‘A to Z’ i, ii and iii.

keywords: graffiti loose energetic neutral black white debchaney letters

You're invited! Open Studio & Live Music and Art Making Event: Saturday October 22cd, 2016

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debgallery Join us for a unique experience at Deb's Art Studio.  In collaboration with a guitar instrumentalist, Deb will be creating a live contemporary mixed media abstract painting right before your eyes! Watch and listen as the art and music interplay, unfold, and are simultaneously created for your entertainment and inspirational enjoyment. The final painting will be auctioned off that night to the highest bidder. The Studio will be open both prior and after the show for connection, art sales, and art rental inquiries. Doors open at 7 pm. The Show starts at 8 pm. Please do RSVP. We look forward to seeing you!

Tickets. Event is Free of charge. Please get your tickets here while they are Available: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/live-art-music-performance-tickets-27551265577

 

Capture Coquitlam Exhibit in the News!

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CaptureCoquitlamNews_IMAGE.jpg I am so excited for you to see  my latest mixed media abstract painting ‘Evergreen Coquitlam’ hanging at the Capture Coquitlam Exhibit opening reception this Friday October 7th at 7 pm at Place des Arts - 1120 Brunette Avenue in Coquitlam. www.placedesarts.ca Art exhibit runs October 13-22cd. According to the curator it's one of - if not the only - abstract piece in the show!

Join us for Mixed Media playtime on Bowen Island Wed Oct 5th!

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WonderfulLifeArt_IMAGE.jpg Looking forward to making collage at with images, quotes, mixed media & acrylics on Bowen Island this week! It's Wednesday Oct 5th 9-4. Call (604) 947- 2216 to register.

EXPERIMENTING WITH ACRYLICS AND MIXED MEDIA on Bowen Island with Deb Chaney and the Bowen Island Arts Council – 1 day  – Wednesday, October 5, 9am – 4pm. Location: Gallery at Gallery @ Artisan Square Join Deb Chaney for a full day of play and experimentation with acrylics and mixed media! You will learn 9 mixed media techniques you can use to add intrigue, depth, and texture to your acrylic paintings. Try some gels, pastes and mirror leaf products and see the effects they can create. We’ll focus on having fun and supporting your creative expansion. Lots of demonstrations, plenty of painting time. Cost $100 + GST. Bring your acrylic paints & support. We’ll provide the Mixed Media. To register call (604) 947-2216 or go online http://www.bowencommunityrecreation.com/recreation-guide.html

The Music Inside You

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musicinyou_image I recently watched 'The Shift' movie with Wayne Dyer and was so deeply touched by its message, I decided to watch it again. I still feel like I could watch it many more times and learn the simple lessons that I keep forgetting over and over in this life. Today I was particularly inspired by the part where he shares the story of reading a Leo Tolstoy short story about a man, who upon his death bed, realizes he lived his  whole life wrong and who dies with regret. After Dr. Dyer read that story he decided to himself to not die with his music still in him. Well, this posted is dedicated to you Dr. Wayne Dyer, you who have certainly shared your music with all of us through your books, writings, teachings, recording and this profoundly beautiful movie. I know you can see this from where you are - so thank you, thank you, thank you !

Framed Little Gem Paintings Up on Display

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DebArtLittleGemINstal2016.png Thank you to Flow Home Staging for including my Little Gems paintings in your recent home design project here in Vancouver, BC. The pieces look beautiful as well as the whole decor and I love the choice of frames! It's such a pleasure to collaborate with interior designers who have such an appreciation for original artwork and the artists who create them! So grateful! Thank you!

Re-energizing your art practice

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September newsletter is all about re-energizing your art practice. Find out what got me re-inspired lately read here online: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b78a4b953f58f04d0c14944fd&id=f74c45c201&e=45eabd7d34 or get it delivered right to your inbox, click here: http://eepurl.com/iplKI

New artwork featured above; ‘Summer in the City’, diptych 9” x 12” Mixed Media, Acrylics on Loose Canvas © Deb Chaney 2016. Originals are available for sale purchase@debchaney.com or (604) 736-5111. See more from the Little Gems Series.

Join me on Bowen Island to Paint & Play!

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BowenMixedWorkshop2016_IMAGE.jpgPaint, Play, Experiment in Mixed Media & Acrylics Join artist Deb Chaney for a full day of play & experimentation with acrylics & mixed media! You’ll learn 9 mixed media techniques to add intrigue, depth, and texture to your acrylic paintings. Try some gels, pastes and mirror leaf & see the effects they create. Focus on having fun & supporting your creative expansion. Lots of demos, plenty of painting time. Wednesday Oct 5. 2016. 9=4 pm. Cost $ 100 + GST. Bring your acrylic paints & support. We’ll provide the Mixed Media. Register:   (604) 947-2216         www.bowencommunityrecreation.com

Big Thank you to my Angel Helper Wendy !

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angelwendydeb16 I was so blessed at this past workshop with the Pacific Northwest Art Institute on gorgeous Whidbey Island to have an assistant! Introducing the wildly creative and oh so supportive Wendy Lee Lynds . Seriously, I swore I was going to put her in my trunk and take her home to assist with me for all my workshops! Wendy helped with set up, take down, cleaning brushes, taking photos, passing out hand outs, freshening up my water, and even took me to dinner at the end of the workshop. That's for sure one of my Achilles's heel soft spots - I love being fed! Wendy has found a permanent space in my heart. Big thank you!

[Actually I'm really hoping Wendy sees this post and joins me for my Advanced Abstract Painting with Mixed Media in thick layers this November here in Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Details here: http://www.illuminatetheartistwithin.com/advanced-abstract-painting-workshop/]

Here's what she said about taking my workshop:  “Many "AH HA" moments galore - both artistically and personally for me while in Deb Chaney’s workshop. Deb brings to the table equal parts arts professional and genuinely warm-hearted individual. This important combo brought me to a new way to approach my abstract work and the tools to have a painting that reflects “me”when completed. I would take another workshop by Deb in a heartbeat and would hardily point others in her direction, as well….."

- Wendy Lee Lynds, Artist at Silver Spike Studio http://www.wendyleelynds.com instagram: wendyleelynds pinterest: wendy lee lynds/silver spike studio

Fall workshop special, upcoming advanced workshop & what students are saying about Deb's workshops

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PacNWAug2016Group Fall 2016. Existing workshop students receive half of September 17-18 th 2016 workshop price.Usually $375 now $187.50. Valid for September 2016 workshop only. Student must have taken basic abstract painting course with Deb Chaney prior. Held in Central Coquitlam, BC. register@debchaney.com or call/text (604) 736-5111. Full details for workshop Layers & Process: A Workshop journey in Abstract painting with acrylics - description  at www.IlluminateTheArtistWithin.com

And for those of you who have taken this fundamental abstract workshop and are ready for the next level, I will be offering a 3 day Advanced Workshop painting  in thick with Gels & Mediums, creating encaustic (wax) effects with acrylics and learning to etch back into multiple thick layers of acrylics and mediums. Super fun. That'll be in November 25 - 17, 2016 full details at www.IlluminateTheArtistWithin.com.

Above photo: the painting workshop group on Whidbey Island at the Pacific Northwest Art Institute each holding their favorite painting they created during the 3 day Layers & Process workshop.

Here's what participants had to say about the last workshop:

" Deb's energy and humanity informs all aspects of her workshop. She is organized, sensible, and knowledgeable.  She sets a very supportive atmosphere for a diverse group of students. Her caring about individual students is rare."  - Mari Jalbing, Seattle WA

" Very balanced class - open to each person's ability and taking us on a very intense but useful 3 days. [The workshop experience] got me to try new things and think in a new ways." - Sue Lee, Kirkland, WA

" I feel that Deb was extremely well organized and led us through the course step by step.  The slide shows helped greatly to illustrate the points she made. I greatly enjoyed the workshop and learned a great deal. "  - Marilyn Sandau, Port Townsend, WA

Outward to Infinite - New Little Gem Painting

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OutwdToInfLG_DChaney2016 Here's something I love about teaching.. sometimes the demo pieces actually become real paintings! These 9 " x 12" Loose canvas pieces belong in my Little Gems series which is inspired by practicing and experimentation. They are the results of my art making practice, often in front of a workshop group!

'Outward to Infinite' (c) Deb Chaney 2016  Original Contemporary Abstract Artwork is 9" x 12" Mixed Media on Loose canvas. Is available for sale inquire@debchaney.com  or text (604) 736-5111. See more of Deb's work at www.debchaney.com

Thank you Pacific Northwest Art Institute

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DebDemoAug2016 Just finished up a wonderful 3 day workshop at the Pacific Northwest Art Institute on Whidbey Island. Big thank you for the center's director Lisa Bernhart for going the extra mile and hosting me, proving me with a support person ( my angel - more on her later!), the over the top fantastic workshop venue, kind positive and fun loving students (class photo upcoming each holding their favourite art piece they made, again upcoming), and for making me feel so appreciated. Honestly, I felt like an artist super star. Really feels like living my dream. Thank you for being part of that coming true for me! See you in 2018 !

8 Ways to Start an Abstract Painting

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IMG_5468.JPG Some students shared at the start  of the workshop that simply starting a painting can be daunting, so we brainstormed together 8 ways you can start an abstract painting using acrylics. If you are at the beginning and staring at a white canvas and don't know where to start, this blog is for you!

  1. Choose a colour or colour scheme and start making marks and gestures with that colour. You could mix that colour with black and white and create a range of colours from that single colour.
  2. Choose a specific composition and adhere to that structure with your painting. For example: horizontal or vertical composition.
  3. Make some drips and splashes on your canvas with watered down acrylic paint and see what forms, go from there.
  4. Using your paint brush, fingers, foam brush, paper towel & other tools put marks on your canvas, asking yourself; "How can I do this differently?" Challenge yourself to make each stroke different in some way.
  5. Get clear on a theme or meaning for your painting and let that guide you. For example, your painting could be about love so you would start painting in a way that defines love visually for you.
  6. Look at some shadow shapes around you and use this lines and shapes to create negative/positive space areas for your painting.
  7. Look at another painting or photograph you like and attempt to copy it- make some changes to it so it'll become yours as you go !
  8. Use a view finder on an existing painting or image and zoom in on an area you really like that could work on its own as a painting. Use that localized portion of the painting as your inspiration for your new painting.

Above Photo - Deb Chaney doing a painting demo at the 'Layers & Process Workshop' today a the Pacific Northwest Art Institute on Whidbey Island. Deb Chaney - portfolio www.debchaney.com - workshops - www.IlluminateTheArtistWithin.com.

Art Social Finale

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ArtSocialDChaneyFinale.jpg Had so much fun last night at the live painting event at the shipyards venue in North Vancouver at the fabulous Shipyards Venue. Here's the painting I created in 37 minutes along with myself and it's new owners! Yes... there are sparkles, collage, and all sorts of mixed media in there. ..I had a blast being in creative process with this piece! Felt so much appreciation from this couple who purchased my artwork, this made me feel so special and appreciated! Thank you! Big thanks to Bill Higginson & Ben Lumb for inviting me & organizing the event.

 

Centerfold Pop Up Gallery Show

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I am so deeply honored and grateful to have these six Little Gem pieces up for sale at the upcoming Centerfold Pop Up Gallery Show this Saturday night August 20th, 2016 in East Vancouver at 4575 Alexandra Street, Van, BC V6J 4 C9.

What I love and appreciate so much about being part of this show is that this gallery is a new model of doing business and it's all about supporting artists. Centerfold is Montreal-based organization with the aim of driving social and economic change in the art industry. Their goal is to enable artists to gain exposure and funding while increasing art awareness within the community. This is what we need to see more of: win-win situations for both galleries and artists !

Starting from the top left-hand corner, and rotating clockwise, the paintings above are: ‘Floating Away’, ‘It’s All That’, ‘Love’, ‘Tangerine’, and ‘Split Complimentary’. These are all part of my Little Gems Series, each 9” x 12” Mixed Media on Loose Canvas, and Original Artwork by Deb Chaney. Available for sale. inquire@debchaney.com.  Plus ---There is one more painting entitled 'Joy' not shown here but it will be at the gallery that night! Go see!

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