Tuesday, December 31, 2013

FAREWELL TO 2013


Wintertide
Acrylic on 48"H x 30"W x 1.5" wrap canvas
Available from Web Gallery: HERE


Painted back in January of 2013 this one was inspired by  a wintry snowy day in the Midwest.  It's one of the few verticals as I usually feel more comfortable working horizontally.  I would like to stretch myself a bit and work a few more verticals into my inventory.  

As the end of the year and a new year approaches resolutions and goals for 2014 are being made.  I try and keep mine simple as #1 i'll forget and #2 i'm really not a goal setter. Just ask my kids and they will tell you mom's philosophy is "it'll all work out".  However it has been helpful to me go back and study what was produced over this last year in a time of reflecting.

Here are some goals:

*work more specifically with large canvases
*continue experimenting with new developments in style
*phase out of the small abstracts
*take floral abstracts in a new direction
*incorporate figures into abstracts
*draw more

How about yours?!

Cheers to a New Year….

God Bless.

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist






Monday, December 30, 2013

Commissions


Floralsplash
Mixed Media on 12" x 15" heavy paper
ORIGINAL 2013
Available


Amazingly, the original FLORALSPLASH painting is still available: HERE  Two other large commission paintings where inspired from this one.  Seen below are Heartsong and Galore.

Heartsong
Acrylic on 36"H x 50"W x 3/4" canvas
Commission-sold



Galore
Acrylic on 32"W x 40"H canvas
Commission-sold


The request for Heartsong was that the vase be left out and it was. Painted on a 3/4" depth canvas as it was to be framed once it reached it's new home….in Hawaii!

Galore was painted on a canvas which was later to be stretched.  It was commissioned by a design firm to be hung in a hospital.  I purchased the canvas from canvas place.com and was shipped to me in a really nice hard plastic tube.  Since it was requested that stretcher bars not be used, the tube came in handy for shipping the completed painting.


My Web Gallery

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Palette Knife Abstract


Summer Splay
Acrylic on 48" x 48" x 1.5" wrap canvas
Commission-sold

My pick for the day is "Summer Splay" which was a  2013 commissioned work to be painted similar to the original posted: HERE.  "Indian Summer" (2009) would later become the inspiration for my first commission to a couple here in Springfield, Mo., titled "Better Two", then Little Summer , New Dawn and  lastly Summer Splay.

Unique to these paintings is that they were painted entirely with a palette knife.  I am encouraged in reading the original post from Indian Summer back in 2009.  This had not been a good day for me.  The previous year 2008 I had resigned a well paying job as a high school art teacher to begin my own business. My paintings had not begun selling and I was frightened.  So, I had picked up a part-time job as a florist in a local grocery store to at least supplement our income in paying for my health insurance.  My creativity in floral arrangement had not been appreciated as I was criticized for using too much white with color..can't do that.  Frustrated, I came home and painted "Indian Summer" slashing whites into it with a palette knife. My stubborn streak was saying I'll show you that it can work. I did leave that job after a few weeks and shortly after, that painting became the color palette for the commissioned painting Better Two. God provides.

  I have learned over the years that painting is a lot like having a "real" job….you've got to show up and clock in each day.  You can't just sit around and wait for that "magical feeling" to begin.  No matter how your feeling or whatever else is going on in your life you've got to go to work.  Often times, this can be the hardest part. But hey, don't be too hard on yourself either, there are also sick days and vacations!

I've been experimenting with some new techniques and have several new paintings that I will be posting soon….
for 2014!

Please visit my web gallery: HERE 

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Friday, December 27, 2013

MOMENTA


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

SOLD


Still going through my 2013 paintings and reflecting on this past year and building up momentum for 2014.  Excited and looking forward to beginning a new year with fresh ideas.   As I do this I am recognizing a few paintings that I would like to revise.  This one is NOT among those tagged.  I've not been in the studio much lately.  Discipline is lacking.  However, I have been tossing around a color scheme and ideas for  a large 30" x 48" canvas…

Hope you've been enjoying my stroll through the 2013 archives….

Web Gallery: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Thursday, December 26, 2013

NEUTRALS



Nuance
Acrylic on 24" x 30" x 1.5" wrap canvas
SOLD






I absolutely love hearing from those who have purchased a work of mine letting me know what the piece has meant to them.  Most of all to be sent a pic of the painting in it's new environment.  This abstract was definitely one of my more subtle 2013 paintings working more with a lighter, softer neutral palette.  Hope to work with it again!

Complete portfolio of available works can be found HERE.

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

NIGHT SCENE


Nocturne
Acrylic on 24" x 30" x .75" wrap canvas
Ready to hang
Available!

Painted back in March 2013. Original post can be read here in which I wrote about the neat thing about abstracts is you can make them into whatever you want.  I chose this one today to speak about a manger scene that occurred over 2,000 years ago with the birth of Christ.


In the stillness of the night a baby was born his name would be....


But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.         Matthew 1:20-25


Wishing you a beautiful, wonderful and MERRY CHRISTMAS!


WEB GALLERY


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Painter

Monday, December 23, 2013

BLUE AND WHITE ABSTRACT


Popula
Acrylic on 24" x 24" x 1.5" wrap canvas
ORIGINAL 2103
Ready to hang
SOLD


Popula just recently sold and was flown to Columbia, SA...perhaps a Christmas present?!  Hope it is much loved. Going through the 2013 archives I chose this image for today's post as it reminds me of all the snow and ice we presently have outside here in the Ozarks. bra.. it's cold 17 degrees.  Funny, as I look back on this painting's original blog post I realized it was painted in August and it reminded me of an aerial perspective of a beach and body of water.  Guess it's all in our perception! 

Please visit my Web Gallery to see the available works of art.

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist


Sunday, December 22, 2013

ORANGE ABSTRACT


Inspira
Acrylic on 36" x 36" x 1.5" wrap canvas
Ready to hang

 Another 2013 favorite of mine, presently hanging in our kitchen! ...available to hang in yours! 

Lots of surface texture...posted about here back in September.


WEB GALLERY: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

REMINISCING


Mien
Mixed Media on 22"H x 30"W heavy watercolor paper
Ready to frame
SOLD


One of my favorites from 2013 working on the watercolor paper. Would like to continue working in this style in 2014.  Not really working right now, as we are preparing to celebrate Christmas.  With so much going on, I find it's best for me to spend time relaxing whenever possible.  Spent a little time yesterday in the studio, de-cluttering  a few spaces.  Just this little bit can help me feel organized and ready to begin a new year of painting.  I have some new Golden acrylic liquid paints bought that I've experimented a bit with, but will be playing more with these later.  Enjoy your week!!

WEB GALLERY: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Friday, December 20, 2013

Mixed Media Expressionistic Abstract


Ardor
Mixed Media on 22"H x 20"W on heavy watercolor paper
Ready to frame
ORIGINAL

SOLD

Another 2013 original. I began working more on paper this year as I have a large, large roll of 156lb. Arches paper.  Kinda a funny thing as I have found there to be less intimidation when painting on paper.  Most of these were begun with watercolors followed by layers of acrylics. 


ELIZABETH CHAPMAN
CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT ARTIST



Thursday, December 19, 2013

EXPRESSIONISTIC


Altium
Acrylic on 8" x 8" heavy watercolor paper
Ready to frame

A little something.  This one would look awesome with a white matt and black frame.  Don't you think?! 

"Altium" is available from my Web Gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

BLACK AND WHITE ABSTRACT


Amalgama
Acrylic on 30" x 48" x 1.5" wrap canvas
ORIGINAL 2013
SOLD


Sometimes a painting will come together so quickly that it feels as if it was just to easy.  "This just can't be, it was too easy, it just isn't fair, better keep working on it, it's suppose to have a certain amount of time put it into"  Just some of the thoughts that will occur to me.  Amalgama was one of these paintings. To me, it is one of my most expressionistic abstracts.  My objective here was to work with a very limited color palette.  It was going to be just a black and white painting, but as you can see...I can't do that! With that in mind I got up one morning, put the music on and painted to the flow. Later I went in and work a few details with the vertical lines.  Lesson to be learned here....knowing when to stop. 

More 2013 abstracts available: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

ORANGE ABSTRACT "Afterglow"


Afterglow
Acrylic on a 36" x 36" x 1.5" wrap canvas
Available

Moving right along on my 2013 journey is this painting... and still available!
Lots of surface texture as I worked and re-worked the surface until I reached a point in which I was satisfied.  I love the richness of the umber browns and oranges against the warm bright oranges contrasted against the cool blues.  Reminds me of an evening sunset as the sun has gone down leaving a warm glow and the coldness of the night begins to set in.  What do you see?


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Monday, December 16, 2013

Red Abstract


Advance
Acrylic on 24" x 24" x 1.5" wrap canvas
SOLD

Another 2013. Loving the reds and the pop of cobalt blue in this expressionistic abstract. This has been a year of working more neutral colors mixed in with the bright vivid colors that I typically use. Now and then I like to go through the archives in a time of reflecting back.  Hope you enjoy reminiscing with me!

Available abstracts can be viewed: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Sunday, December 15, 2013

RED ABSTRACT


Admira
Acrylic on 30" x 40" wrap canvas
Palette knife painting
ORIGINAL 2013
SOLD


Going through the 2013 Archive and reminiscing.  I can remember painting this one about this time last December. Reds are always difficult for me to photograph....much, much more beautiful in real.  Hope your staying warm and enjoying this holiday season!


Available 2013's can be viewed HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Friday, December 13, 2013

whatever will be will be


Poco
Palette knife acrylic on 8" x 8" heavy watercolor paper
Ready to frame


Feeling as if it was time to work on adding a few more paintings to the "heart abstracts" category of my web gallery, I set out to paint hearts.  That is what these last two "Poco" and "Pana" (scroll down one) were meant to be.   Also, I worked on both of them simultaneously which tends to help freshen my perspective.  The flow for creating hearts just wasn't happening, so why fight it.  I'll try another day!

This small abstract along with a complete portfolio of my work can be seen on my web gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

aerial viewpoint


Pana
Acrylic on 8" x 8" plus 1/2" framing border
on heavy watercolor paper.
Ready to frame

SOLD!

This is a smaller piece done with a palette knife on heavy water color paper.  It does have a 1/2" margin white border for matting and framing.  It is acrylic and could be framed without matting or under glass. Lots of thick paint and textured surface.  The title is a play on panorama, a colorful aerial view of an earth scape. 

More small, medium and large abstracts can be viewed on Web Gallery: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Painting


Sunday, December 8, 2013

thank you


Savvy
Acrylic on 24" x 24" x 1.5" wrap canvas
Ready to hang or frame


Feeling thankful.


New works, available paintings along with many of my past sold abstracts can be seen: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist







Wednesday, December 4, 2013

tis the season


Apropos
Acrylic on 32"W x 36"H x 1.5" wrap canvas


Winter seems to bring on a desire to work more with red.  In this painting I am working with those reds, a touch of turquoise, azo yellow and burnt umber.  My neutrals are a mixture of those colors in the painting plus white.  I began this one with the idea of of a vertical line composition using raw umber for the lines and then filling color in with a brush.  As the paint began to build up and thicken I switched off to a palette knife. This enables me to do a lot of my mixing of color on the canvas itself.  A roller was used for a softening effect. Lastly, I played around with the detailing. Do you like?

This painting along with a complete portfolio of my work can be found in my Web Gallery: HERE

Hope you are having a wonderful week and staying warm!

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Sunday, December 1, 2013

it progressed!


Presence
Acrylic on 40" x 40" x 1.5" wrap canvas
Available: HERE

This is the completed painting from the previous post. (scroll down one) As you can see, it progressed!  My intention was to stop and photograph the various stages as the painting changed.  But, then as I became more and more involved in joining the creative flow,  I totally forgot. 

So, wow...how did you go from that painting to this? Well, it happens all the time!  The hardest part is letting go.  For me that means loving so many aspects of a painting that I'm afraid to continue on as I might ruin it.  There are times in which I have felt the work was completed at an early stage, as if there just wasn't another stroke of paint that could be added. That wasn't the case here.  I began with the darkest of the blues as I felt they needed more work. At this point I was still hanging on to my pre-conceived idea of what this painting should look like.  I don't know how else to describe it except a struggle. As I continue, there does come a point in which a letting go occurs and I'm much more willing to risk it...going with the flow of one idea leading to the next, then the next and next, etc.,  The letting go part does not come easy, as it is a decision that must be made...then comes freedom!

What about the change in title? As I posted earlier...I had a title picked out as well. "Majesty" That was a part of the initial inspiration I had of blues, purples and scarlet as I had been reading in Exodus about colors that were used in the clothes for service in the holy place.  Again, I had to let go.  Title man, (hubbie) was inspired with the title "Presence".  I thought it was fitting from the moment I heard it, as I had also been reading a book about Christ in the feast of the Tabernacles, by David Brickner a celebration of God's provision and presence. 

Even though I wasn't able to visually record it , perhaps one thing that can be learned and that is of the process.  It can't be seen, but it is every bit as important and is a part of the finished product.  Changes are a part of the process and it is what makes a painting original and unique.  It is interwoven throughout a painting giving the work it's own form of expression and visual language.

"It brings me much joy just to be the brush in the Master Painter's hand and to realize that His creations are made to bring great joy to all.  My paintings are a form of song, dance and praise in response to the beauty of life.   -Elizabeth



To see a complete portfolio of my work, available paintings, purchasing information, etc., please visit my Web Gallery: HERE 

To contact me email me at: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist