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Deborah Koff-Chapin:

Originator of the process of Touch Drawing
Artist, vocalist, author, teacher, independent publisher

On her last day at Cooper Union in 1974, Deborah discovered Touch Drawing in a moment of creative exploration. When touching a paper towel that had been placed on a freshly inked printing plate, she found that the pressure formed marks on the underside. Lines coming directly from her fingertips! She laughed hysterically with this discovery. In a state of ecstatic revelation, spontaneous images poured through her hands.

Although this experience had the appearance of simply being play, under the surface was something profound and powerful. Deborah knew this process was not for her personal use alone. It felt as if she was receiving a gift from outside of time; a technique of creative expression that was aligned with evolution of human consciousness.

Deborah followed through on this calling to share the process of Touch Drawing with others. Deborah founded The Center for Touch Drawing, a networking point for the dissemination of Touch Drawing into various fields spanning artistic, therapeutic, educational and spiritual practices. She has presented workshops and slide shows at numerous conferences and educational institutions. Deborah is an adjunct professor at California Institute of Integral Studies and University of Creation Spirituality. She has served on the board of directors of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

Deborah is the author of Drawing Out Your Soul and The Touch Drawing Facilitator Workbook. She has produced multi-media educational media including a video, audio CD’s and Touch Drawing materials kits. Each summer since 1997, she has convened the Annual Touch Drawing Gathering, which attracts an international community of Touch Drawing practitioners and facilitators.

Over the years, Deborah’s own images have developed to a transpersonal level expression. In 1995, she created a vessel for their path into the world in the form of SoulCards. SoulCards 1&2 are now are sold worldwide and are used by therapists, workshop leaders, creative writing groups, families, and a broad range of individuals. She had a major exhibition of her work with Touch Drawing at California Institute of Integral Studies in the fall of 2004,

Deborah lives with her husband, architect Ross Chapin, on an island in Puget Sound. Together they co-founded a multi-modal sacred arts circle, which has been ongoing since its inception in 1983. Ross and Deborah have one daughter, Aleah, who is a budding artist in her own right.

Endorsements of Deborah Koff-Chapin's Artwork

Michael Grady, Dean, Graduate School Arts and Consciousness John F Kennedy University

"Deborah's work is a dance of her whole being on paper: subtle, mythic, poetic, archetypal. She is an artist of High Being."

Jean Houston Ph.D Author, Search for the Beloved, Jump Time

“The images are magnificent shimmers that evoke deep wonder. Though each painting was done intuitively, it radiates rootedness in reality. What a wonderful relief from New Age artists who cannot paint the mystical without leaving the earth behind."

Creation Spirituality Magazine

"The artistry of Koff-Chapin moves the viewer's imagination into personal depths: each picture, a holograph of sung and unsung memories. I feel pulled to look at the pictures again and again. The world needs more of (her) touch."

Helen Lindquist Bonny Ph.D Author, Music and Your Mind

"The drawings have captured a deep and mysterious element of both pain and uplift..."

Jon Kabat-Zinn Author, Wherever You Go, There You Are

"The pictures are stunning."

Stanley Krippner Ph.D Professor, Saybrook Institute

"Deborah Koff-Chapin's artwork is extraordinary, unique, and a particularly special manifestation of that deep pool of talent that dwells within each of us."

Tony Buzan Author, Use Both Sides of Your Brain

"The subtlety and delicacy of her work is truly astounding."

June Singer Ph.D Author, Boundaries of the Soul and Androgyny

"The work of Deborah Koff-Chapin releases us into the deepest meanings of life. The soul sees itself reflected in her mirrors, and is revealed to itself. It is art in the service of transformation."

Elizabeth Cogburn Director, Tree of Life Ceremonials

"Deborah has displayed in symbol a remarkable ability to bring through the same message from Creator, passed down to us through White Buffalo Woman and all our masterful teachers: the reminder that we are in fact one with all in the Great Circle of Life."

Brooke Medicine Eagle, White Buffalo Woman Comes Singing

See Interview with Deborah "From Paper Towels to SoulCards"



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