Saturday, August 31, 2013

anniversary post....


Nightlife
Acrylic on 36" x 48" x 1.5" wrap canvas

2009 SOLD


I love reading about other artist's who are working independently and their established routines.   Probably, because I don't have  a whole lot of it.   So lately, I've been thinking about it again.  I had set a goal for Aug. 15th to be my back to the studio date.  That was two weeks ago and I'm still not there yet.  I've been working, but not with a routine. Life is about just going with the flow, much the way I paint and that is now my routine. 

Reminiscing today, the way I began in 2008 and kinda, sorta wishing I had just a little of the discipline I had then.  I had just resigned my job as a high school art teacher in order to pursue this new passion that I had.  It was not at all a decision that I had taken lightly.  Anyway, there I was believing that I could do this artist thing and actually sell my work.  There was so much to learn.

That first summer, I did not allow myself time off, as I went to work learning how to photograph paintings, list on line, write a bio, etc., everyday.  It all sounds pretty easy, as except that I knew nothing, which I am sorry to say does somewhat reveal my age.  Not a child of the technology age.  I used the paintings that I had created during the time that I was still working as a teacher.  I had about ten paintings in that inventory and that was it!   That was the summer.

Fall, arrived. No job.  Received my last teacher pay check in August. Time to get really serious.  I set up my studio in a basement room.  It was really a pretty nice set up with tables, lots of room and good lighting.  I really didn't know how I was going to accomplish this thing, but knew I had to.  I went to my studio each day, just as all my co-workers were going back to school. Each day from 8- 3, I arrived at my studio and was there all day minus a 30 minute lunch break.   After a few days, I began with what I knew best at the time.  Painting realistically with transparent watercolors.  I chose flowers as I my subject matter, as I had always loved Georgia O'Keefes floral paintings.  For months, I did this everyday just like a real job and really got pretty good with the the realistic floral watercolor paintings. 

Now, that I look back on it I realize that the important thing at the time wasn't what I was painting, but that I got started on something...anything. And, that I consistently kept after it.  This first step, led me to where I am today. Another story.

For several years I would remember and celebrate the beginnings each Fall with back-to-school.  As time went on, the routine fell away and my disciplines changed with the seasons and with whatever was going on in our lives at the time.  Then I forgot about the fall anniversary for a few years, until now.  Perhaps, it's just me realizing that I need to go back to some of that routine.  I have developed my skills, have new inspirations and work that I want to do,  but lacking the discipline.     

In remembering this from five years ago, I thought I would post one of my favorite paintings from that time"Nightlife"  which was painted during the early, early, still dark hours of the day, thus the title. Just as soon as I had established my working routine, new responsibilities came into my life.  In order to continue to get painting hours in, I had to get up really early to paint and I had to work fast.  Working fast was not such a bad thing as it taught me to work intuitively.  This painting sold locally at a solo show at Hawthorn's Galleries. 

There's a lot of work to this artist thing!

but, I love it!

thankful to each and every person that has encouraged and supported me along the way.

back to work on Tuesday.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!


My web gallery can be viewed: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Expressionistic Floral Abstract Painting "Heartsong" is now complete....



"Heartsong"
Acrylic on 36" x 50" x 3/4" wrap canvas

Commissioned Painting


The painting is completed! ....and approved by the client!...."Heartsong" will be on it's way to Hawaii soon, where it will be framed and hung in a beach condo. By scrolling down a few posts, you can follow the progression of this commissioned painting from the beginning stages to it's finale.

You are now able to see much more of the finished out details in this image. The very last of the details can take some time, but can also make the biggest difference.  The golds and whites were a wonderful accent to this painting with dabbles of color here and there.  ENJOY!!


Color makes the heart sing!


WEB GALLERY

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist



Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Progression of a commission (part 3)......




Commissioned Painting
Acrylic on 36" x 50" wrap canvas


Here I continued layering filling in the floral bouquet.  The upper left corner was layered with a lighter color and then with the end of my brush I scratched gestural lines through the surface, revealing the darker under color.  Swirls of color were emphasized and gold metallics were used  in the bouquet as well as added to the background.  I will spend a few days continuing to pick up on the detail.  Then an image will be sent to the client for approval.



Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Progression of a commission (part 2)....


Commissioned painting

Acrylic on 36" x 50" x 3/4" wrap canvas



Painting I'm working from.


A continuation from yesterdays post where the basic outlines were sketched on the canvas first.  My next step was to lay in the colors of the background.  As you can see from this photo the back ground colors are in and I almost forgot to take a photo of this stage.   The progression photo shows some of the floral work in it's beginning stages.

Plans and time seem to disappear once I get into a painting.  Many times my intention is show a progression of a painting from beginning to completion but then I get swept into the painting and the plan is forgotten and there are no photos.

A little extra here, as you get to see the wall that many of the larger abstracts have been painted on. Nice uh. Most the time I'm working on either an easel or a flat studio table.  I will start on the easel, but then when I really get into it, the painting will be placed on the table where I can rotate and paint from all sides.  It's a little bit more difficult to do this with the large, large ones, although I have put them on the floor before and walked around them.  It helps me a lot to be able to see from different viewpoints.

Next, I will focus more on the bouquet but still paying attention to the background. Light layers of color and patterns will be laid over the previous layers.  Lastly, I will be looking for all the details in order to get as close to the requested painting as possible.    We'll see what happens.....


Many more abstracts can be seen in my web gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Monday, August 19, 2013

progression of a commission.....


Beginnings

Commissioned painting 36"H x 50"W x 3/4" wrap canvas

Acrylic


I'll be posting here the progression of a commissioned painting that I have been currently working on.  The requested painting is to be similar to a smaller painting (seen taped to the canvas) that I painted earlier this year without the vase in it.  When completed this painting will make it's home in a condo by the beach in Hawaii and I will be personally delivering it there! ...well, not really..but a nice thought!  

When I begin an abstract, for the most part, I really don't have an idea of what the finished painting will look like. Oh sure, I might have what I think it should look like or an inspiration but more than likely that will all change.  It's different when I have been asked to paint a similar painting to one that I previously created.  Now, I definitely have an idea of what the end work is to look like.  Knowing the process that I took in getting that painting to where it's at, my first thought is usually "oh my, how will I ever re-create that one".  Upon closer analyzation of the painting, I will see a way that I can create a similar piece and will formulate a plan.

Here is the first step. Sketching out the basic elements of line and shape for a general location of where to place the bouquet.  I have also  decided that the best approach would be to layer in the back ground, beginning with the lightest colors and then paint the florals.  We'll see were it goes from here....


To see more of my original abstracts or for purchasing information please visit my web gallery: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Thursday, August 15, 2013

narrowest street.....


Kissing Street
Acrylic on 24" x 24" x 1.5" wrap canvas

SOLD


Now and then a city scape type of painting will occur.  I was just playing with the shapes and lines in order to pull this painting together.  Not being sure that I liked it all, I left it alone for awhile.  When I came back, I saw it. It's one of those scenes you might see in an Italian type city.  Imagine yourself walking through a narrow street with buildings on both sides.  The windows are open, there are clotheslines hanging outside, a cool breeze in the air...it's a busy day.

After having given this description to my husband, he immediately found the title.  The narrowest street in Italy is called the "Kissing Street"... This scene really does exist!!

This painting is in my web gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

mostly, some, a bit.....


Momenta
Acrylic on 24" x 30" x 3/4" wrap canvas

SOLD


By clicking on this instagram link you will be able to see the beginnings of this painting.  Changed a lot! ....and that's ok, just gotta start somewhere and this will lead to more ideas.  I was getting a feel for my colors as the first layers were applied.  Next, I decided to use modeling paste and my texture palette knifes and play with some different surface tensions.  Usually if I apply modeling paste it will be the first layer.  but hey, change it up a bit! right.  Once all this was dry I went in using the flat side of my brushes to the canvas and work with applying layer upon layer of color.  Staying for the most part with the original choices.  Lastly, working with the mostly, some and a bit formula and choosing to work with a hot spot, I lightly feathered in the pinks.

Wondering what the mostly, some and a bit is?  
I love this formula because it is so simple and can be applied to any of the elements of art and it's effective in creating an interesting and strong composition. Color, Value, Texture, Space, Line and Shapes.  Let's take and use color as an example.  It might go something like this, mostly blue, some orange and a bit of red.  Value: mostly black, some white and a bit of gray. Ok..you try a few.

So what about a hot spot?
This is the area in the painting that the eye is drawn to. The focal point, main character, hot spot are just a few of the names I've heard used. Another really simple formula that has stuck with me, is to divide the canvas equally into thirds horizontally and then vertically.  The four areas where these line intersect are places for strong focal points.  You can use just one all four, but would suggest that one stands out the most.  Notice this is where I used the bit of pink in this painting.

With that all said....rules in art are made to be broken!  Great paintings have been and can be created without these.  I don't like to get hung up with the rules while painting, but I will fall back on them when I am needing to resolve a painting. Next time you see a painting that you really like, see if and how either or these formula can be applied.


For any further information regarding my abstracts painting contact me:
elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Paintings







Sunday, August 11, 2013

twice....


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

Available from my WEB GALLERY

Ready to hang!

This is the companion painting to "Once" which I posted yesterday. This is what happens when you work on two of them at the same time, at least for this time!  Lots of surface texture.

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Saturday, August 10, 2013

once, twice or both....


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



Once upon a time.....

and you'll have to make up your own story!

There is a companion for this "Once"- "Twice" which I'll post next.

But hey, don't let me stop you from snatching this one as a single!

Hope your having a wonderful and restful weekend!


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Thursday, August 8, 2013

what do you see....


Popula
Acrylic on 24" x 24" x 1.5" wrap canvas
May be purchased from: HERE
Ready to hang.

SOLD


To each his own.  I love to hear what others see in abstracts.  Looking at this painting from an aerial perspective, I see a body of water along a beach, a wharf going out into the water alongside a small grouping of cottages.  What do you see?


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Monday, August 5, 2013

changing a bit...


Dena
Acrylic on a 30"H x 48"W x 1.5" wrap canvas



Seasons change and with it so does my color palette.  We are now into the first week of August and it has been a rainy one with another forecasted week of rain. Not complaining. It's been a beautiful summer here in the Ozarks.  But soon, Fall will be in the air.  My color palette seems to be the first to pick up on the transitions of change.  This is the time of year that I will begin to have a desire to paint more of the warmer toned, reds and golds.  COLOR, COLOR is in me, so it returns.

My finished paintings are first placed in my WEB GALLERY  and then from their I will use them to post and list with various sites.  I try to make them visible to as many people as possible.   For some it will be to simply enjoy online and for others it will mean a purchase for their home or office.   You could help me by sharing either my web gallery, Etsy store, or DPW !

Thanks!!!!

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Friday, August 2, 2013

refractions....


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

SOLD


The garden is in full bloom!  Last night we picked much of what needed to come in before the next rains. Our kitchen counters are overflowing with tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumbers and green beans.  The green beans were blanched and frozen to be cooked up this next fall/winter.  Squashes have also been frozen for casseroles. We've been eating the cucumbers, marinated, in salads and cucumber sandwiches. Tomorrow we will be taking the tomatoes and cooking up a big pot of marinara sauce and meatballs.  We will enjoy a nice dinner together and freeze up the rest for later use.  

We've always planted and grown a garden, but so much of the time they fizzled out as summer progressed.  This year we have been taking it more seriously and really thinking about it as way to supplement our incomes.  There are so many other reasons though and it is something that we are enjoying. I'm thinking about how wonderful it will be this winter to be eating some of this produce and reminiscing summer's homegrown!

What has all of this got to do with this painting?..... Beauty is all around us and we can find and enjoy it in so many different ways.  Hopefully a small refraction can be seen in this painting.

Have a wonderful weekend! .....elizabeth


Web Gallery


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist