Little Gems

Small but mighty abstract paintings by artists Deb Chaney and Rojia Dadashzadeh form the delightful exhibition ?“Little Gems”

LITTLE GEMS ~ A delightful collaboration comprised of small but mighty abstract paintings by friends and co-teachers, Deb Chaney and Rojia Dadashzadeh. Each painting celebrates their differences and similarities using color, shape, texture and a variety of mediums.

LITTLE GEMS ART STATEMENT
These little gems on loose canvas emerged from the “Energizing and Experimental Abstract Painting in Acrylics & Mixed Media” workshops that we teach. The workshops focus on experimentation & creative process. Students learn the fundamentals from watching demonstrations and then doing it for themselves. We work on loose canvas pad pieces and many of them, through the course of progressive workshops, became these “little gems” the unique paintings you see here.

Rojia Dadashzadeh and Deb Chaney met a few years back while working in their perspective art studios at the Old Foundry Building in East Vancouver. One rainy morning neither were in the mood to paint and went shopping together instead, later ending up at Havana’s for brunch. From that day on a friendship was born. Deb was already teaching workshops and Rojia shared her passion and enthusiasm to teach a dynamic workshop together. At the beginning of 2011, they met diligently and “From Concept to Completion: Advanced Abstract Painting on Panel in Acrylics and Mixed Media” workshop curriculum was born. Their first workshop took place March 2011. It was indeed a powerful experience for both them and their students.

DEB CHANEY
Deb Chaney is a contemporary abstract artist painting for over ten years both large and small layered mixed media abstract paintings on canvas and paper. She is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists and Artists in Our Midst. In 2010, Deb was commissioned to make art by RainMaker Films, Inc. Her art is held by private collectors throughout the world. Deb is predominantly self-taught, though she has enjoyed privilege of studying with several prominent artists such as Ann Baldwin, Bob Burridge, and Adolfo Girala. She 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 workshops and mentors private students. www.debchaney.com

ROJIA DADASHZADEH
Rojia Dadashzadeh is a Vancouver–based artist. She was born in Iran and moved to Ontario at age eighteen. She holds an honors degree in Fine Arts from the University of Waterloo, a post-graduate degree in Web and Graphic Design from Sheridan and Le Grand Diploma in cuisine and pastry from Le Cordon Bleu Paris. In 2006 she was granted the best poster design award by Granville Island for the new Olympic 2010 winter art festival, Winterruption. In 2007 she moved to Paris to attend one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world. Upon her return to Canada in December 2009 she was offered to create greeting cards for a major national Canadian distributor and she is in the process of creating 100 designs. Rojia is an active Vancouver Culture Crawl participant and teaches painting workshops in Vancouver and New York. Her work is in many private collections in Vancouver, Toronto, Tehran, Oslo, California and Portland.

WORKSHOPS
Deb and Rojia have created a variety of workshops that allow them to share their passion for self-expression through abstract painting. Taught in both Vancouver and New York, the workshops range from a two day intro class to a five day painting retreat on the beautiful Gulf Islands in BC.

Here’s what participants had to say:
“Deb and Rojia complement one another beautifully with their technical and intuitive expertise.” - Patty Ripley, Artist, Surrey.
“Deb’s painting techniques encompass layers and glazes of mixed mediums while Rojia coats her panels in thick and rich acrylics to create a “butter” effect.” Lisa Penz, Artist and Designer,Vancouver.

For more information about their art, bios, and respective workshop schedules at www.debchaney.com and www.rojia.com

If you are interested in showing your art, photographs or presenting your sculptures we are taking submissions.

Please contact Charmaine Carpenter for submissions.