Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Art Show at the Waverly House..."Triumph" and "Fly Away"




These are two of my student's work that were entered in a juried show at the Waverly House here in Springfield, Mo.  Jenna's (age 13) piece "Triumph"(top left) won Best of Show! and Allison's (age 11) piece "Fly Away" won Juror's choice!!  The paintings are photographed with the art supplies they won.  It has been an honor and a privilege to work with these two sisters for the past three years.  When we first began with the lessons, Jenna was into realism and Allison  the younger sister was the abstract artist.   
Jenna is still into realism and very talented, but has also now taken an interest in the abstract realm.  "Triumph" was a painting that she had to push herself through, as there were many stages in which she was not satisfied... so I encouraged her to keep on until she was.  ....and she did with the results being a very beautiful abstract!  I began working with Allison in the abstract realm because that was her interest.  At the time she did not want to have anything to do with realism.  After a year of lessons I encouraged her to try some realism.  We began with drawing from a photograph with pencil and paper.  I talked to her about how simple it is once you realize that it is all about observing relationships between lines, shapes and spaces.  I will never forget the moment that she caught on to all this as she was so excited and went on and on about how she loved drawing realistically!  Her painting "Fly Away" is a merging of her abstract side and newly found realistic side.   As you can imagine...I am very proud of them....way to go girls!!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

"INTRIGUE" Modern Art, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Elizabeth Chapman

INTRIGUE


Acrylic on 24" x 48" x 1.5" canvas

This painting has gold and silver metallic paint mixed in, accenting the reds and blues.  Unfortunately, the metallics don't photograph so well.  Fresh off the easel and just posted to my website.  I've got an order of large canvases from canvasplace.com (best place ever) coming in next week and very excited about getting back to the plentiful play spaces. (try saying the last three words fast three times!)

I would call this painting an extended palette knife painting, as it began much like Iridescent or New Dawn and then evolved using a roller into much more.  I augmented the red with orange and the blue by  adding the green. In finalizing the painting I then used white and incorporated the metallics, gold and silver, last.


www.melizabethchapman.artspan.com

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Dawning, Contemporary Abstract, Modern Art, ORIGINAL Painting, Missouri Artist Elizabeth Chapman


'Dawning'
Acrylic on 12" x 12" canvas panel


I just posted this small abstract on the Daily Paintworks where I have been posting many of my most recent small abstracts.  I do have one large abstract on there as well. If you've been following my blog for awhile and at one time has seen and where interested in "Spree" (24" x 48" x 1.5") you can bid on it as well, click here or email me.

 For me sometimes the hardest thing about about creating a new work is getting over my own preconceived ideas of what I want, letting go, going with the flow of the painting and allowing the work itself to unfold and show me the way.  It's a very difficult spot to be in, one in which I am feeling as if it just isn't working, but one in which I become willing to take many risks.  I have learned that in fact this is when it is actually all coming together and I am trusting in the process.

"Dawning" is mostly a palette knife painting.  I say mostly, because I did use a roller at one point to soften up edges and a small brush for detailing spheres in the end.  There is ALOT of texture that was created with the paint itself that I believe is a wonderful enhancement to the painting.  Click on the image itself to see a close up of this for your enjoyment.

If your interested in this painting or any other information regarding my work. I am always happy to answer inquiries, please email me at: elizabethchapman@artlover.com. Love to hear from you!!  Complete portfolio of my abstract paintings can be seen at: http://melizabethchapman.artspan.com






Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Colina, Modern Art, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Original Art, Elizabeth Chapman


'Colina'
Acrylic on 7" x 7" 300lb. Arches paper


SOLD


Perhaps you've noticed or maybe not...but I've been on a track with painting small paintings lately.  I do have a large one on the easel, but not sure if it's finished yet.  It's always a period of adjustment when going back to working with the larger spaces.  These little ones are great exercises and make for a wonderful collection of small colorful paintings on a wall.

To see a portfolio of the larger abstracts please visit my Web Gallery by clicking, here.

www.melizabethchapman.artspan.com

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Tola, Modern Art, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Original, Elizabeth Chapman


"Tola"
Tola stands for "Tree of Life - Apples".
Acrylic on 12" x 12" canvas panel 
Currently available from DPW, click here.

From the cool colors of "Oceanic" (last post) to the warm colors of "Tola".  As I worked on this abstract I began to see abstracted apples emerging, thus the title.  This is what I saw....what do you see?

Monday, January 16, 2012

Oceanic, Modern Art, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Original, Elizabeth Chapman


'Oceanic'
Acrylic on 16" x 20" x 3/4" canvas
Email me: here

Thought I would post today as I'll be keeping Penny tomorrow until Wednesday.  Although, I can't really paint, paint when she's here (or post) I did work on the texture for a larger painting the last time she was here and she worked by my side doing some chalk and pencil work on it.  This girl absolutely LOVES to spend time in the studio!  There are many things that I lock up and put up when I know she's coming, but still lots to get into it.  I don't mind as I believe this encourages her to be involved in the art making process.  She now has her own box of markers, paints, pencils, canvas etc.....pretty much her studio!  If you have young children at home I encourage you to provide them with materials they can use to stretch their imaginations and nurture their creativity.  Here is Penny busy arranging and organizing buttons on a canvas while I was working.  Perhaps the buttons where an inspiration for this painting!  She is so full of life and fun to be with!!  




Saturday, January 14, 2012

Junction, Contemporary Abstract, Modern Art, Original Acrylic Painting, Elizabeth Chapman


'Junction'
Acrylic on 12" x 12" x 3/4" canvas


SOLD 




Some might wonder why many of my images are not signed.  Well, here is the reason....seeing the photographed image helps me determine whether a painting is completed.  Or, in rotating the image I find I like the painting better in another position than I painted it and then have to go back and change the initials. So, I have just decided to not sign them until I know, know for sure.  But then now and again, there will be the painting that I feel is complete with no more changes and rather than re-photograph.... I'll use that first image. Call me lazy, I guess.  They are each initialed MEC on the front, signed, titled and dated on the back before being packaged and shipped to their new home.

Website: www.melizabethchapman.artspan.com

Friday, January 13, 2012

Hearts for the Arts, Springfield Arts Council, Contemporary "Heart" Abstract Painting by Missouri Artist Elizabeth Chapman


'Love Flow'
Acrylic on 11" x 14" x 3/4" canvas
Available through Springfield Arts Council through Feb. 3rd.


SOLD

My third year to participate in the "Hearts for the Arts" an exhibition and online auction.  This fundraiser benefits the Springfield Arts Council's arts education program which supports local teaching artists and arts organizations that reach over 20,000 children annually in a 27-county region.   This year there are 71 "heart theme" paintings and "Love Flow" was my contribution.  To see all the heart paintings and read more about this program click here.

This program is what got me started on painting my "heart series" which can be seen by clicking here.   I'll be posting these in the weeks to come.  If your interested you may contact me by email: elizabethchapman@artlover.com, please include the title.

Share the love....

www.melizabethchapman.artspan.com

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Emanate, Modern Art, Contemporary Abstract Painting by Missouri Artist Elizabeth Chapman



'Emanate'
Acrylic on 16" x 20" x 3/4" canvas


SOLD


Presently, my words are few as I have been feeling much inspiration and living in my creative realm....painting, painting, painting!  So, I will just have to hope that the work will speak for itself.

Website: www.melizabethchapman.artspan.com

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Thursday, January 5, 2012

2012 first painting..."Auteur", Modern Art, Contemporary Abstract by Elizabeth Chapman


'Auteur'
Acrylic on 24" x 48" x 1.5" canvas
Available





SOLD

My first completed painting for 2012!  This painting has ALOT of texture that can be seen much better by clicking on the image for a larger close up.  You could also go to my website and use the zoom feature.  There is also gold metallic paint that is difficult to see as these do not photograph well.  Looking forward to an art filled year....and I hope you are as well!


Monday, January 2, 2012

Transparent watercolor lesson, abstract painting, original art, Elizabeth Chapman

'Untitled'
Watercolor on 11" x 14" paper

I created this painting as an example for a class on  basic techniques of working with transparent watercolors that I will be teaching in April here at Ozarks Technical College in Springfield, Mo. I have found that the teaching of the watercolor medium is difficult.  For one thing there needs to be a willingness to go with the flow rather than control it.  Also, there is a process of layering values and colors to create depth that requires patience.  So, with these two things in mind...this first lesson was developed.   With a bit of an abstract twist there are no worries about having to control this medium and you can also see how the process of layering colors works with transparent watercolors.

So here is the first lesson if you would like to try it.

Supplies needed:  140lb. cold press watercolor paper,  if you don't already own tubed watercolors a PRANG watercolor set (preferably the two tray) will work.  A palette and brushes and....lots of water!

Step One:  Make a large stencil of an object. (this will give your painting some realism) As you can see from my painting I used a bottle. Save your cutout it can be used as well.
Step Two:  Place your stencil on the paper and outline it.  Now take your stencil and cut or tear it into at least three pieces.
Step Three:  Take these pieces and move them around (overlapping the drawing is o.k)  Once a pleasing design has been found tape these down.  You can also at any time use the negative space of the stencil. That is the piece that you cut your object from.
Step Four:  Begin painting using  a color that is very light in value, paint plus lots of water!  Paint over the whole paper with this color.  Let dry.  Pull the pieces off and you will have only white shapes left.  Many watercolorist only use the white of their paper for white.  No white paint used.
Step Five:  Repeat step four, taping and overlapping pieces over previous color and anywhere. Paint over these with that same color and value or use another color.  The object is to paint from light to dark.  So, don't get to dark to quick. Let dry. Once again when you take the pieces off you will now see the previous layers of values and colors.
Step Six:  Continue this process of overlapping pieces, painting and letting it dry.  Use your imagination, be creative and have playful fun with it! You can take this as far as you want to. I chose to work with a mostly warm color palette with a bit of cool colors. Also, you don't have to always let the paper dry to take the stencils off.  It is best to let it dry though before applying another layer.
Step Seven:  Work on pulling the original drawing out so that it is somewhat recognizable and you will have some realism.  Hopefully, during the process of painting you have seen for yourself how watercolors can be layered and built up to create depth and your now working a bit more abstractly!
You can see how this layering process is used when painting realistically by viewing some of my earlier floral paintings, click here.

I took it a step further and began playing with some oil pastels (bottom right bottle)and watercolors over them, rubbing the paint back out and found that I really liked that effect.  Feel free to elaborate on your painting.  I wanted to keep it basic so that students could see the basic overall effect, so I stopped.