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, the pressure formed marks on the underside. Lines were coming directly from her fingertips! In a state of ecstasy, primal images poured through her hands. Although the experience had the appearance of childlike play, under the surface something profound was happening. 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 knew this process had a greater purpose than just her own personal use.
Deborah poured her soul into Touch Drawing. Over the years, her work developed into transpersonal levels of expression. In 1995, she created a vessel for her images in the form of SoulCards 1&2. They continue to be used worldwide by therapists, workshop leaders, creative writers, and a broad range of individuals. She recently published a new deck; Portals of Presence: Faces Drawn from the Subtle Realms. Deborah has developed other deep streams of imagery through the process. In private sessions, she creates a series of drawings inspired by the presence of the person she is with. These Inner Portraits bring into form many dimensions of the soul. Deborah has also developed the art of Interpretive Touch Drawing. Sitting with her drawing board at a lecture, she listens into the heart of the content and translates it into timeless poetic imagery. She now has an archive of drawings inspired by over 900 different authors and wisdom keepers.
Deborah has followed through on her calling to share Touch Drawing, presenting workshops at conferences and educational institutions. She has a unique way of holding space for people to dive deep into their souls. Drawing upon many years of involvement with sacred ceremonial arts and contemporary spirituality, Deborah crafts each workshop as a transformative experience. She holds space during the drawing sessions with live music; using her voice, drum, chimes and singing bowls to generate a sacred sound field.
Deborah is founder of The Center for Touch Drawing, a networking point for the dissemination of the process into artistic, therapeutic, educational and spiritual practices. She is adjunct faculty at California Institute of Integral Studies and has served on the board of directors of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. She is the author of Drawing Out Your Soul, The Touch Drawing Facilitator Workbook, and creator of media to make the process accessible to all. Each summer since 1997, she has convened the Annual Touch Drawing Gathering, the deepest event of the year. See Deborah’s Curriculum Vitae.
Endorsements of Deborah Koff-Chapin’s Artwork
Deborah Koff-Chapin is one of the world’s leaders in Transformative Arts.
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