Tuesday, April 30, 2013

friends make me smile....

'Friendship Heart'

Acrylic on 8" x 8" x 3/4" wrap canvas

Mini abstract heart painting is ready to hang.




May be purchased directly from my online store, HERE.


smile...

Yes! I Another heart painting completed to be included in my heart series.  They had just not been happening for me, but was confident that another one would come along at some point.  This one was created with much ease.  The kind that just seems to happen before your eyes and your left wondering, "did I just do that?"

We have been created to have friendships and to love one another.  For me that includes showing kindness to all people. A smile and a kind word can go a long way in bringing some sunshine and cheer to another.


.....cheers!


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Painter

Sunday, April 28, 2013

love the touch of.....

Eloquent
Acrylic on 15"H x 20"W heavy 150lb. Arches paper
Ready to frame



This small abstract may be purchased directly from my on line store: HERE

or you may email me: elizabethchapman@artlover


 ORANGE.... and how the copper metallics enriched  this mixed media painting.  Picture this one matted and framed in a                               frame.  I'll let you imagine it being further enhanced. One day it will become the perfect fit for someone's decorating needs.  

One of my favorite things in working as an independent artist is the opportunity that it gives me to connect with the buyers/collectors. I love hearing about what a piece has meant to someone, whether it was a personal purchase or as a gift. The way that it filled a space in a home or office....and LOVE seeing any photos!!

So, I guess the process is actually twofold for an artist.  The creating of a piece is such a personal journey in which only the artist will ever know all that was poured into a work.  Then there is the meaning, joy, response, etc., that another will receive from the art that completes the cycle.  

For your viewing pleasure.... Picturesque!

Artfully yours, Elizabeth


Gallery


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Thursday, April 25, 2013

expressions on paper.....


'Mien'
Mixed media on 22"H x 30"W on heavy (150lb) Arches paper
Ready to frame

SOLD


May be purchased directly from my Web Gallery: Here
(use the zoom feature for a close-up)

or

by contacting me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Expressive!

A gesturally pencil drawing was the beginning of this painting.  I pulled out my palette with watercolors and began playing and layering various colors.  There is only so much watercolor paint that you can put on paper before having to back off and let it dry.  The thickness or weight of the paper has a lot to do with how much water it will absorb.  Working through several sessions I layered colors and that was my only intent....until....I thought of that beautiful light ultramarine acrylic color that I so love.  There was also gesso layered in-between and more acrylics on top.


Reminds me a lot of a painting that I did several months ago as a commission titled "Sister Style"
which was a request from an earlier painting "Spree".   I was not at all thinking of these as I began and never thought about them until it was nearly done, but there is definitely a similarity. "Mien" will have to be framed.  The two horizontal edges are deckled, which I personally like the raw look.  If I where framing it, I would not matt it. But would have it fused to a back board as to be able to see the edges.  Something else about this paper that I like is that it shows the Arches stamp in the bottom right hand corner.  Use the zoom feature in my Web Gallery to get a close-up of the details.

Unique style!


Lots of fun in switching out and trying various different materials.  Even though it does have a similar re-sembalance to two earlier paintings, it still has it's own story to tell.

Wouldn't you say?!


Visit my Web Gallery, and enjoy!!



Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist








Abstract Painting ORIGINAL "Alembic" by Contemporary Artist Elizabeth Chapman


'Alembic'
Acrylic on 16"W x 20"H x 3/4" wrap canvas

May be purchased directly from my Web Gallery: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

mini abstracts create a unique wall display......


'Opulence'
Acrylic on 8" x 8" wrap canvas, 3/4" sides painted black

SOLD


Please visit my website to see more abstracts: HERE

or by contacting me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


I try and offer a variety of ready to hang canvas sizes for clients in my online Web Gallery.  Recently, I have begun to add more of a selection of ready to frame paintings on heavy watercolor paintings for those who prefer paper to canvas. (soon posting a few of those new ones!)  This allows buyers to pick and choose paintings that fit their budget and/or their space and decorating needs.  The "mini abstracts' have been a popular size as they can be used for that small space that needs just a touch, added in addition to a larger abstract for breaking up a wall space, to create a wall display consisting of a variety of 'mini's' OR can even be displayed on a small easel for a coffee table, counter, etc., 

For myself as an artist it provides a change in format and will do several of them at a time before moving on to another size.  I do post these in my Web Gallery where they can be viewed as a group.  If these are of interest to you there is also the option of joining my Web Gallery email list.  I do not contact you directly, but each time any new painting is added it sends a notification of this to your email.  

My online store can be viewed: HERE


Enjoy!! and hope to hear from you soon!!!


Thanks for viewing!


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Saturday, April 20, 2013

happiness is a .....


'Red Poppy'
Acrylic on 12" x 12" heavy (140lb) watercolor paper
Ready to frame
$75.00

May be purchased through PayPal: HERE

or by contacting me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Happy....

My desire was to paint some more heart paintings in an effort to build on my "heart series" inventory. "Crazy Love" was recently sold and shipped to Finland as a wedding present. (thank you!) But, with each attempt there was a different flow that continued to occur. However way, several very good paintings came from this initial inspiration..."Red Poppy" being one.  I was beginning each painting with the plan for a heart and finishing with an abstract.  With this one, in the end I saw a play with flowers in which the red circular area was a red poppy...thus the title. It would fit in nicely in my floral abstract category.  The hearts would have to wait for another day!

I love the colors!!

Hope they have brought a smile to your face! ....

Spring is here!

have a wonderful weekend.. elizabeth



For more smiles please visit my Web Gallery: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist






Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Vivid and bright abstract painting.....


'Adowa'
Acrylic on 36"H x 24"W x .75" wrap canvas
no longer available

to purchase contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com 

or

simply click on the Buy Now button in my Web Gallery: HERE


Come dance with me...... 

This painting began as a horizontal and ended as a vertical, but even more than that it made some  very dramatic changes in color from the initial format.  As I followed the flow to find the path of this particular painting, it also kept getting brighter and brighter.  "Wow" it's kinda different?!  "is this going to work?" I thought, as I went along until I got to a point where I felt I don't know if it works or not, but I do know that it is finished.  Then came the choosing of a title....as I have posted before, I can paint much quicker than I can choose a title.  And so, the question my husband will often ask is "what does it remind you of?" Africa.  \I really don't know why it did, perhaps the colors.  But that in turn reminded me of a trip our daughter had taken to Uganda with her youth group in high school.  Dancing is done for many different reasons and occasions in Africa.  For Emma it was as a gift that the women wanted to give to express their thankfulness and joy as they circled around her and danced after she had shared the with them.  As I did my research on this I found I liked the title "Adowa," (sounds good for a painting) which is a dance that is done for many different types of occasions in southern Africa.  

Do you feel like dancing now?!


To see more of my colorful expressions please visit me: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist



Saturday, April 13, 2013

what have you been inspired by lately.....


'Nautica'
Acrylic on 8" x 8" x 3/4" wrap canvas
$75.00

SOLD

May be purchased through PayPal from my Web Gallery: HERE

or by contacting me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Inspiration....  what inspires you?

I made a list and thought I might share what keeps me coming back to the studio, especially when you hit those dry times.  Hope you find my list of inspirations an encouragement to you.

*sometimes it helps to just get away and do something different...live life!
this might mean family time, trying out new recipes, shopping, gardening, etc.,

*cleaning and organizing my studio/house always seems to have a way to de-clutter my mind and helps me to refocus on new ideas.  

*ordering supplies....love doing this... with each sale I re-invest in canvases or paints

*viewing artist's painting on you tube or just surfing the web

*a sale! or feedback...this one nearly always sends me back in the studio...gotta paint more!

*switch out to a different subject matter or medium, recently I have begun a visual journal

*walking and taking in all the beauty that we have been so blessed with, by God the creator of all.  Thankfulness.

*a trip to the mall soaking up all the colors in the clothing stores

*viewing a traveling show

*hearing "I love you"

*listening to music

*children's art

*probably the biggest one for me is believing...yes, go ahead and dream big!


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist




Tuesday, April 9, 2013

interconnections of COLOR......


'Plexi'
Acrylic on 12" x 12" heavy (140lb.) paper
Ready to frame
$100

To purchase contact me at: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

or may be purchased via PayPal directly from my Web Gallery: HERE


Color...just gotta love it!.... and I do, obviously.  I try, to create more neutral works but in the end color continues to win.  It's bright, cheerful, optimistic and has been given to us for our enjoyment.  Don't believe me...just take a look outside right now as all the colors of renewal are emerging.  Always love those first greens in the Spring time....there the lightest, brightest that will be seen all year.  This morning as we were walking out to work in the garden there were the purple crocuses blooming.  There is more light in a day now affecting color. Sunsets can be enjoyed while sitting outside in the evenings.  Take time to get out...enjoy, and be thankful for all the beautiful colors given to us!  

More colorful abstracts can seen HERE!

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Saturday, April 6, 2013

ready to frame.....


Aureus
Acrylic on 12" x 12" heavy (140lb) paper
Ready to be framed
$100

To purchase contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com 

or 

directly from my Web Gallery: HERE


More purple.... passion with purple lately...   My intent last week was to paint some more heart paintings and well at least that was the initial inspiration, for with each attempt something else emerged along with the purple.  But hey, some beautiful paintings were created, Aureus being one.  Just gotta go with the flow...

The majority of all my paintings are on canvases.  When I first began five years ago, my paintings were nearly all on watercolor paper as watercolors was my preferred medium. (traditional transparent watercolor with some abstracts) The switch came for me as the cost of matting/framing and then storing/displaying these framed works was not profitable.  So, for the most part I got away from creating paintings that would need to be framed.  However, I recently was contacted by a follower of my work that stated that she loves my abstracts, but strangely enough does not like canvases.  Actually,  this helped me to realize that..yes, there are people who like to frame work.

So, with all that said...it has actually brought back around a desire to work with watercolors on paper, Only, now with a different twist...why not water down the acrylics for more of watercolor effect and work with more mixed media.  However way, I am now out of the box of thinking that because I work on watercolor paper it needs to be the traditional transparent watercolor methods I was trained in.

And....I found a wonderful deal on 156lb. cold press Arches watercolor paper which is 51" wide on a 10 yard roll.  Not getting paid for this promotion, just passing it on..as quality watercolor paper is expensive.  I purchased the roll through Jerry's Artarama, link HERE.  

That is ALOT of paper....excited about the "ready to frame" paintings to come!

Check out my Web Gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist





Wednesday, April 3, 2013

just for fun......


'Softwood'
Acrylic on 48" x 48" x 1.5" wrap canvas

Available 

To purchase contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

or

may be purchased through PayPal from Web Gallery: HERE


What can I say.... this painting definitely started out as a way different  painting that I really liked and had almost gotten there with, but seemed to have lost my momentum on it.   It hung on the wall for over a week until I was willing and ready to let go of it should I not be able to pick up where I left off and it totally change on me.  I did begin with trying to hold on to it and so there was some struggling as it was wanting to go in a different direction.  I kept with it....and then it happened!  All the pre-conceived thoughts of what is right, will it sell,,etc., etc.( you know the stuff that causes artist's block), disappeared being replaced with "oh, whatever, just have fun".  Fun it was!

....and I LOVE it!!


To see more of my abstract paintings please visit my Web Gallery: Here

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Monday, April 1, 2013

stop and notice the purples.....


'Astoreen'
Acrylic on 16" x 20" x 3/4" canvas
$250.00

SOLD

To purchase or more info. contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com 

or may be purchased from my Web Gallery: HERE


The color purple... has been on the color palette lately.  I've been using it more as a focal than an accent color in several of the last paintings.  Especially with this one, as it has a way of drawing you in to the area with the jewels.  I work intuitively with one thing leading to the next as I am searching for the composition of the painting.  Each painting that is completed leads to the next and so there will often be some familiarity between the ones that are painted within the same time frame. 

Check out my WEB GALLERY: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist