Monday, August 31, 2009

living in the moment....

The Moment

Acrylic Palette Knife Painting
7" x 7" 140lb. paper

As I was painting , I was thinking about what a beautiful blue the sky had been that afternoon, after a storm had came through and all the tops of the trees contrasting against the blue. This small abstract painting is a moment captured in time. It's also made me think about how we so often allow our thoughts to dwell on the past or are pushing ahead and worrying about the future, rather than just being thankful for and living in the day. We have a friend who at one time was homeless and has had to learn to survive from day to day. His favorite phrase he uses a lot is "live in the moment". Enjoy the day!

If you've got some time check out the Daily Abstract Painter's Blog and if you live in the Springfield, Missouri area I have some new work at Hawthorn's Gallery which will be up for the First Friday Art Walk this Friday night.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

if you must have it.... maybe...

Sewing Frenzy

Abstract Expressionism
Acrylic on 24" x 12" (1.5) canvas

To purchase contact: Elizabeth

This painting has actually come to have a lot of special meaning to me, so whether or not I can depart with it.... well maybe. It was one of those that was created in the grouping of the first abstracts last winter- you can read about it here. Upon my request for suggestions on titles a blogger friend had left a comment, that she saw a sewing machine and materials on a table. wow! I had not seen this until it was pointed out to me. My grandma "Lula" taught me how to read a pattern and sew at very young age. I practically made all my clothes in middle school and high school. I loved going to material stores, mesmerized by all the colors and patterns.... and so this painting was titled "Sewing Frenzy".




Saturday, August 29, 2009

color overflow...

Pure Joy

Abstract Expressionism
Acrylic on 24" x 36" (1.5") canvas

This is another one of those that is difficult to capture with photographing all the small value variations that make the painting. It is a large piece and is absolutely gorgeous in real!! It began with the idea of painting mostly using the pure colors of red, yellow and blue. The ultramarine blue brought out the brilliance of the colors and the feeling of expression as I was painting was that of joy-"Pure Joy"

This painting became the color palette for another painting I am currently working on as a commission piece for Josh and Julie (they commissioned another painting "Better Two"several posts back). This time they wanted a larger 36" x 48" painting for their dining room. It is coming along fabulous and I am excited about sharing it but not before they see it!!
I think it may be my favorite yet!! .... ya, ya I know I think that everytime!

......so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11


Thursday, August 27, 2009

itsy bitsy......

Itsy Bitsy

Abstract Expressionism
Acyrlic Palette Knife Painting
7" x 7" 140 lb. paper

For purchasing contact: Elizabeth

little bitty polka dot.... Another small abstract that I am just absolutely loving!! This is one of those that I only wish it had been painted on a large square canvas. Thinking about it?!.... Still these small paintings can be used to fill smaller spaces with splashes of color. They can easily be framed and collected and displayed in a grouping as well.

To see more of my work please visit my Web Gallery.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

filling spaces with color.....

Moving Colors

Acrylic Palette Knife Painting on 5" x 7" 140lb. paper

I do a lot of these smaller paintings as exercises in working with color and compositions. A fall scene began emerging with color being exaggerated! Lots of thick paint too- these little paintings can be framed with or without matting or under glass. Moving Colors would fit a standard size frame. To see more of these small paintings please visit my web gallery.



Monday, August 24, 2009

looking for a home...

Intersect

Acrylic on 24" x 36" gallery wrap canvas
To make an offer contact: Elizabeth

SOLD!


Intersect is back from the gallery and is looking for a home!! The top photo shows the metallic gold that is in the upper left quadrant and the bottom photo shows the painted sides. The sides could be painted black if this were preferred. If this painting is speaking to you email me your offer and..... we'll see!


Continually adding new work to my web gallery, don't forget to visit it!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

......another baby

Eight
Acrylic on 40" x 30" canvas




..........leaves home!!! Thought I would post the feeling of the emptiness when another baby leaves. This painting was a customized special painting with Kendra in mind. You can read more about it by clicking here. This was a painting that was completed several weeks ago and I had it hanging in our living room where I was enjoying it, with my morning coffee. So a bit of sadness, but the emptiness is replaced with joy in knowing that it was created to speak to, be enjoyed and be a part of Kendra's home. Thank you, Kendra!!!

Would be happy to customize a special painting for you! To see more of my work please visit my Web Gallery. and you may contact me at: elizabethchapman@artlover.com



Friday, August 21, 2009

... a burst of color


Color Frenzy


Sold

Expressionistic Palette Knife Painting
Acrylic on 11" x 14" 140 lb. paper

Bring on the color!! I was just looking at the sky here today and thinking what a beautiful blue it was and all the shades of green from the trees up against it. Anyway, that has nothing to do with this piece, but color is everywhere and I love it. Take some time each day to pay attention and be thankful for all the color that surrounds us each day.

Color Frenzy was painted with lots of layers of thick acrylic paint on 140lb. paper. It is not framed but it can be framed to a standard 11" x 14" frame or custom framed. Does not require matting or being under glass. If interested in the purchasing of this piece I would be happy to quote you a price with and/or without framing. Contact me at: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

To see more of my work please visit my Web Gallery.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

....does it speak?

Hidden (1 of 2)
Acrylic on 16" x 20" canvas

Hidden (2 of 2)


I knew I wanted this painting to have two canvases and so I worked on both of them at the same time, back and forth. There was a few times that I felt like they were good, but it wasn't until I was willing to take a risk that the strongest design emerged. This time as I was working I was mostly thinking about the design of the piece and not attaching any meaning to it. That is what is so interesting about them....

I love hearing the interpretations that others will have about the abstracts. But, many times that won't happen unless I first make a choice to not explain my take. Henri Matisse is known for having said, "An artist ought to have their tongue cut off and allow the work to speak for itself." No, I am not going to cut my tongue off, but your interpretation is as real as mine.

These two canvases were finished and I had them setting side by side against the wall, when a friend of ours came over. He proceeded to tell us what he saw and it could be seen even better when they were stacked as they've been posted. It was his story that brought meaning to me for this piece. It was then that my husband titled them Hidden, hiding the interpretation from the viewer. Now you may see your own!

These two canvases can be interchanged for various displays to the collector. I have initialed them on the side and signed them on the back for this very purpose. For purchasing you may contact me at: elizabethchapman@artlover.com, Also, visit my web gallery.

Daily Abstract Painter Elizabeth Chapman

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

.... rainy day feeling

Downtown Blues

Modern Contemporary
Acrylic on 36" x 24" canvas

To purchase contact: Elizabeth

....created through the stark contrast in dark and light colors. This painting gives me a rainy day type of feeling. .... and bar-b-que food! How about you? I'm one of those people who enjoys eating..... have even found scriptural support for it! It truly is a blessing- am I sounding hungry or what?!

The design to this painting was begun with the white shapes on a black canvas. Color was then layered, balanced and built up around these areas resulting in this night time city scape.

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. Ecclesiastes 3:13

To see more of my work visit my Web Gallery

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

.....better two


Better Two (1 of 2)
Modern Contemporary
Acrylic on 60" x 24" canvas

These are the two panels that I have just completed as a commissioned job. They were delivered to their home yesterday. The paintings will be displayed one on each side of a fireplace in a room with vaulted ceilings. They were fashioned from another smaller painting titled "Indian Summer" in which bright, bold colors and an abstract skyline were requested.

Better Two (2 of 2)
Acrylic on 60" x 24" canvas

And below are the two panels photographed together under low light in my studio and therefore the colors are not as true as the photos above. But, when placed side by side you can see were the two come together to form a ........ can you see it? Not planned but a wonderful occurrence to symbolize the love in this family. These will add beautiful splashes of color to their walls!!
Thank you Josh, Julie and boys!!!!

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecclesiastes 4:9

Sunday, August 16, 2009

hello..... it's me....

Passion

Modern Contemporary Art
Acrylic on 24" x 48" canvas

For purchasing information contact: Elizabeth

....i'm back! Well, ya I guess I ended up taking off more than just the day. Yes, it's been a long wonderful weekend! ...and I'm all refreshed with new ideas ready to get back to work---tomorrow. Also, just how do you follow a blog like the last one??? Well..... with Passion!

This painting I am posting is one of the most recent ones. It was actually painted after having completed a commissioned piece. By accident I had all three of these paintings in close proximity to each other in my studio when I noticed the consistency between them. This was exciting to me because I believe it shows my own individual style emerging. The other two that could be included would be Italia and Night Life.

Can you tell? To the left you can see one of the two panels of "Better Two" (a commissioned piece I will post more later), Passion on the easel, and Indian Summer underneath. Exciting!!

Inspired, motivated and ready to paint, paint, paint!!!!


Thursday, August 13, 2009

A New Year.....


New Princess

Modern Contemporary Abstract
Acrylic on 24" x 24" gallery wrap canvas


SOLD

Anniversary special: $175.00-
(through this weekend)
Contact: Elizabeth

..... a new year has begun! One year ago I began this new chapter in my life. I had resigned my position as a tenured high school art teacher the previous spring. Unknowingly the years of dealing with the classroom as a teacher had taken it's toll. I had developed an extreme amount of anxiety, became irrational in my thinking and began questioning what a nervous breakdown was all about. .... yes, at that point I began wondering if I wasn't having one and so when the pain of staying became greater than the pain of leaving it was time to go.....

I knew deep down in my heart that I was an artist. Touching it through my education and classroom experience helped verify if for me. I'd rather have been known as a great teacher than a starving artist. That was my intention. I was not at all a practicing artist. Over the previous years I had dabbled in my own art and the desire to work as an artist began growing. There have been many people at just the right times that were placed as influences and encouragers along the way.

My first summer out was spent mostly learning technology type things and playing in art. I had absolutely no idea- and I do mean NO idea of what I was going to paint. No idea of subject matter, style, medium and the list goes on. .... and so I started with what I knew. As fall and the new school year began it was time to get serious. The familiarity I knew all so well was gone. I began that first week just as if I was going back to work at school! I went to my studio at 8:00 in the morning and sat there until 11:00, lunch break- then went back for the afternoon. What do I do???? ..... and so I decided to begin with what I knew. I had taken private watercolor lessons for several years after school when I was in high school from an artist who lived in our town. I knew watercolors. I had some close up shots of a white iris I had taken off of our back patio. This began the Snow Princess series of which there were ten. For two weeks I went to work just as if I was going to school and painted these flowers. ...... in October I began blogging and the beginning with these flowers can be seen.

Of course there where many a morning of waking up and thinking... omg... what have I done? many days of doubting... but always provided were many encouragers and those who have influenced me. My biggest supporter, encourager.... and collector! is my best friend- my husband Don. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,..... Zechariah 4:10 is a verse that hangs in my studio that was given to me by him. Many a times I have looked up at this and been reminded that it's about using what we've been given whole heartedly in the present time that really counts and not so much about the end result.

This week has had it's mixed emotions and as I reflected I realized that it was the back to school thing again. I decided I would do a painting as part of that reflection. This week I painted what I have posted today- "New Princess" I began this painting from memory of the Snow Princess series and as it progressed I got the old photographs out. The very first one is posted here at the end for comparison. In January of last year, yet another influence was sent into my life, Laurie Pace, A Texas Contemporary Fine Artist. Please take time to check her out. This artist contacted me through having seen some of my watercolor flowers on line. Little did I know that she would so change my ways. Through a few e-mails she offered advice and encouraged me to BELIEVE in myself.

I had spent months day after day working on these watercolors of which I had developed a good technique. There had also been a few abstracts as well. My husband had been telling me he really enjoyed my abstracts better, but I was resistant and hard headed. Bound and determined was I to continue the realistic transparent watercolors. In one of her e-mails Laurie had told me she thought my flower watercolors were good, but the abstracts were strong. ..... still I resisted.

Around this time I had taken some work into a local gallery, Hawthorne Galleries. They had liked my flowers but I could tell they were more interested in the abstracts. Also, having enough work they asked me if I would like to have a solo show! OMG!!! it would be in June.... still some time. I resisted a bit more, but knew I would need some more abstracts for this show. Finally, one day I walked into my studio, switched mediums and layed out every large canvas I had bought with the intention of doing an abstract and began..... I had resisted long enough....

The result were the abstracts.... Ocean Opera, Sewing Frenzy, Mirage, Garden Life,Vibrant, Two Fold, Night Life, Red Abstract, Italia, The Show, the more thought out Nine and the blended Red Tulip. It was an exciting time. They just flowed out of me..... It was beyond me.... I knew it was a gift that was given to me... I was free to express....the artist was emerging and the resistance was over or at least for most of the time.

As I go into this new year, it truly feels like the beginning of a new beginning. I now call myself an artist. I have so much more of an idea of who I am as an artist, the confidence, boldness and idea of what it takes to work as an artist. Somedays I feel as if it almost seems unfair, that I should have to work so much harder for so much less... but I am happy and am working in who I was created to be. I still teach, but privately and joyfully! Art has also played a part this last year in the healing and I am feeling so much stronger in so many areas of my life.

Much has changed over the last year and so much more than I ever expected has occurred. The biggest influences and inspirations are most usually the closest to us and perhaps taken the most for granted. I am speaking of my children who have been and continue to be a major inspiration in my life as I have watched them leave the nest and begin to go in the way in which they should go with much courage and faith in who they are.

So how long did it take to me to paint "New Princess"???.... all year long! and how am I beginning this year??? ....... well, today I'm taking the day off! catching my breath and... then... hello... it's me THE ARTIST!


"Snow Princess I"
Watercolor

Elizabeth Chapman Daily Abstract Painter

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

....new beginnings

Eight

"Modern Contemporary Abstract"
Acrylic on 40" x 30" gallery wrap canvas

Sold

To commission yours contact: Elizabeth

Well, I am sitting here this morning enjoying a cup of coffee and this newest painting as it is hanging on our wall. This one was specifically painted with Kendra in mind. Kendra had been the original inspiration for "Nine", see in web gallery, in which she had suggested a painting with red, yellow and green and shades of. At the time I took it as a challenge and "Nine" was created. The number Nine emerged and actually a ninety-one which had significance to me at the time. I had no idea though that she was going to be interested in the purchase of the painting, and before she had the opportunity it was sold.

Many other paintings have been painted since and always in my mind I thought perhaps this one will be the one for Kendra- but never did I have the the surety of it as I did with this one. Eight is a number that I recently found out has major significance to Kendra. This painting was customized with the original red, yellow, green and shades of- and her personalized number.
She absolutely loves it!! So both "Nine" and "Eight" have found their rightful homes..... just a matter of time and waiting.

....a new beginning...... the numerical series?

Daily Abstract Painter Elizabeth Chapman



Monday, August 10, 2009

feel free to use your imagination....

The Mission

Modern Contemporary Art
Acrylic on 24" x 48" gallery wrap canvas

...... allowing this one to speak for itself.

2 Corinthians 8:9


Daily Abstract Painter Elizabeth Chapman

For purchasing info. contact: Elizabeth

Saturday, August 8, 2009

another baby leaves home.....



Ya, isn't that crazy?!! ....but it did feel like another one of the children was departing from the nest. This painting is titled "The Show" and it has been written about on my blog (in fact just a few days ago) and can also be seen on my Web Gallery. Erica has been absolutely in love with the colors in this work and is taking it home to hang above their couch.

Lately, I've been humbled by the interest and joy I see owning a work of mine brings other. I'm sorry to say that I enjoy the whole process of creating so much and of course the end result of that is to sell the work, that I had never thought a lot about how it makes the buyers feel.

Erica and Joe, it makes me so happy in knowing that this painting brings you joy and means so much to you. Thank you so much!!! "The Show" will be making it's new home in Omaha, Nebraska.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

I am so in love.....

Star Maker

Modern Expressionistic Palette Knife Painting
Acrylic on 36" x 24" 1.5" gallery wrap canvas

$300.00 NA/shipping included
To purchase contact: Elizabeth

You must click on this photo to get a better view of the overlayed colors. This painting was inspired as I listened to the music of The Violet Burning, Maker of the Stars...... over.... and over... and over! a MOST BEAUTIFUL song! The words are taken out of Psalm 8:3

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which you have ordained....

Daily Abstract Painter Elizabeth Chapman

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

....letting go


Set Free

Modern Expressionistic Abstract Painting
Acrylic on 22" x 28" 3/4 " canvas


Sold

It was the third attempt at working this painting when it occurred. I'm speaking of "the zone" a place of total freedom where there is an unawareness of what you are doing and yet it is happening. My daughter Emma, has described it as the best part of acting, better than hearing your audience, better than getting paid, pure joy! ........................... in letting go.

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Daily Abstract Painter Elizabeth Chapman
For purchasing information contact: Elizabeth


Monday, August 3, 2009

long story short....

Second Act

Modern Contemporary Abstract
Acrylic on 36" x 48" gallery canvas

I painted this one to replace another painting, THE SHOW, that someone was absolutely in love, in love with but then couldn't purchase it because it had sold.... or so we thought..... that's the long story short. BUT, because of this the idea for a theatrical series gave birth. This is the SECOND ACT, which will be followed by FINALE and lastly CURTAIN CALL.

I found it very difficult and procrastinated for days in starting this one. I was hung up on re-creating one like the first one, "The Show". Once I began and put that first mark down, it began to unfold and I simply allowed myself to go with the creative flow. This one has it's own uniqueness that I absolutely love. To see "The Show" and "Second Act" go to My Web Gallery (large abstracts) and they can be viewed side by side. Click on the photo for larger version and the magnifying glass to view detailed color. The reds in the photo of Second Act tend to all blend in the photo but under the magnifier it's possible to see all the golds, yellow, coppers and oranges that make this area so rich. The photographs are close but again just really do not give the paintings justice. The colors in both of these are beautiful!!

No two will ever be the same. I can't believe now that I thought I would be able to recreate the first one. My husband pointed out that it is just like having kids. That is so true. I even did that with them. After Elsie the oldest, who was born with the darkest hair and eyes I assumed that the second one would be just the same. Really I did. (you know dark hair and eyes are dominant) Well, then Emma came along and she looked a lot like her sister but had lighter hair and blue eyes. Then Doren, the youngest had blonde hair.

So now, because of this long story short there is a theatrical series, two paintings and a person who will be needing to make a decision.... or maybe not and take them both home!!!

Daily Abstract Painter Elizabeth Chapman