Deb Chaney | The Drishti Experience: Capturing the Frequency of My Well-Being

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Deb Chaney, “I am strong powerful and confident,” 2024

mixed media on paper adhered to wood panel and framed, 16" x 12" x 2" (courtesy of Deb Chaney)

Opening Reception: November 7, 2024, at 4:30 PM Featuring live music & hors d'oeuvres.

The Drishti Experience presents a collection of large-scale mixed media abstract paintings by contemporary artist Deb Chaney. The exhibit explores the frequency of well-being, a theme central to Chaney's life and artistic practice. The 14 original paintings, including 7 large-scale works, represent the energy centers (chakras) of the human body. These works embody Chaney’s personal journey of healing, mental health recovery, and spiritual growth.

Inspiration for the Exhibition

Throughout her life, Chaney has been inspired by the power of art to facilitate healing. Her personal journey through anxiety and depression, while raising her daughter as a single parent, deepened her understanding of how creating art could serve as a source of emotional healing and spiritual growth. She explains:

"Art became not only a way to cope with stress but an actual vehicle for healing. Later, I realized its power in supporting my spiritual growth and self-realization."

This realization fueled her passion to visually capture her well-being in large-format, multi-layered abstract paintings. Each piece in the exhibit serves as a vibrant representation of the insights and lessons learned during her healing journey.

Creative Process

The series was born from the question, "How can I live in the flow of the frequency of my well-being?" Each painting was guided by three key principles: Connection, Space, and Focus. Inspired by yantras—sacred geometrical diagrams used to support meditation—Chaney incorporates these principles into her works. The Flower of Life symbolizes connection, positive and negative space represent openness, and the Fibonacci composition serves as the drishti (focal point), guiding viewers inward, much like the inward journey of healing and spiritual awakening.

The large-scale works were meticulously created over several years, layering acrylics, house paints, mixed media, and natural materials like sand. The 7 main paintings, titled I Am Safe, I Am Worthy, I Am Powerful, I Am Loved, I Can Trust, I Am Good, and I Belong, each represent the well-being of a specific energy center, offering viewers a dynamic, immersive experience.

Chaney explains:

"I start with small study paintings based on concepts such as color frequency and sacred geometry, then scale up to larger works. These small studies allow me to explore challenges and possibilities, making the larger works more intuitive and fluid. My process is about trust, play, and intuition, guided by the flow of well-being." — Deb Chaney, What Women Create Magazine, Fall 2024 Issue

Scientific Connection to Healing Arts

The transformative impact of art on health and well-being is echoed by Elise Girardin, Executive Director of The Woods Arts & Wellness in North Vancouver:

"Countless studies have shown that arts practice increases subjective well-being and improves cognitive, social, and behavioral outcomes. Engaging in the arts releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and beta-endorphins. These biological changes support mental health and healing. What artists have intuitively known is now being scientifically validated: The arts profoundly impact our health and well-being." — Elise Girardin

Chaney collaborated with Girardin on an art project supporting mental health initiatives, which resulted in a collaborative exhibition, The Colour Connection, where their works were showcased to support the community.

Artistic Community & Support

Deb Chaney’s work is deeply influenced by the creative community around her. Susan L. Greig, artist and founder of Braid Street Studios, New Westminster, reflects on this:

"Having a supportive artist community has allowed me to see the profound impact that ‘belonging’ has on mental health. Interacting with other artists fosters not only creativity but resilience and confidence in an artist’s journey." — Susan L. Greig

Chaney was a resident artist at Braid Street Studios from 2018 to 2022, and this sense of belonging played a crucial role in the evolution of her creative process and well-being.

Opening Reception & Artist Talk

Join Deb Chaney at the opening reception on November 7, 2024, at 4:30 PM for live music, hors d'oeuvres, and an immersive art experience. Chaney will also offer an in-person artist talk in collaboration with the Douglas College Modern Art course, sharing deeper insights into her healing journey and creative process. (Date and time to be announced.)

About the Artist

Deb Chaney is a contemporary abstract artist and teacher based in Vancouver, BC. Her mixed media paintings are an expression of healing and reconnection with the authentic self. Recognized as one of Vancouver’s top artists, Chaney’s work has been featured in private and corporate collections, public spaces, and numerous publications. Her artistic practice emphasizes the healing power of conscious creation and has garnered her international acclaim. www.debchaney.com IG @debchaneyartist