Beautiful

Beautiful

Contemporary Modern

Watercolor on 8" x 8" 300 lb. paper

I didn't realize until just now that I posted another one on my dailypaintersabstract blog that is titled "Bright and Beautiful. (here it is) Emma, I hope you see this one!

This is one of those where I see so much beauty and perfection of design in nature. I really didn't have to try to plan out a good composition, it was all there. I simply zoomed in and cropped this area of the flower, which emphasizes so eloquently the beautiful God given design of this flower. This one is being matted and framed (white matt/black frame) and will be available for purchase at Hawthorn's Galllery. Contact Kylee 417-866-6688 if interested.

I am presently working on a series of small abstract paintings 7" x 7" and 8" x 8" some have already been posted and I will post more of them as they develop. These are acrylic on 300lb watercolor paper (very heavy paper)

and can be framed with out matting or glass. A ready made frame could be used or I they could be custom framed at a very reasonable price. I just took one in last week to my framer and found that they look really sharp this way. I'm excited about these because they can be sold at a more affordable price range to many of those who have expressed an interest in my work and they also would look really good as a grouping. Pairs, groups of three, fours, fives..... etc. as long as the framing and size is kept consistent.

and lastly.... I would kind of like to take a little survey. Just wondering if it's bothersome to any of you that I flip back and forth between posting realistics and abstracts. I usually post as I complete the paintings. I'm versatile in that sometimes I am working abstractly and sometimes realistically. I'm growing to accept this about myself but it might be confusing to others. So I have thought about maybe starting another blog linked to this one for just the realistics and keeping them separarted from the abstracts. any idea's out there? change or leave it? tell me what you think either by comment or e-mail. elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Have a great weekend!

Daily Painters Abstract Elizabeth Chapman

April showers bring.....

May Flowers

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

Acrylic on 18" x 24" canvas

$85.00 plus shipping

It's raining again.  I love these spring showers that are just enough to water the flowers and the garden.  This was another one of those paintings from last weeks power outage. (hopefully no more of those outages)  The peonies always bloom in time for Mother's Day.  Knowing that we had a big rain coming, I went out, cut a bouquet and then they somehow became a painting!

  

Love the black....

"Embrace"
Contemporary Abstract on canvas panel
8" x 10" Acrylic

Lately, I have been under painting with black gesso and have found that I really love beginning a painting with black rather than the standard white canvas. It seems to make the colors more brilliant and it makes sense since with acrylics I'm usually working from dark to light. This painting especially looks good with a dark frame.

This is a bunch of irises we picked up along the side of the rode on our way home on Sunday. The wind was blowing them around and they would have gotten pounded on by the rain that night, so we stopped and cut a few to make a bouquet. I decided I would paint them with the black canvas, to see how it works. I love it! and I really love the flow and feeling this painting has.

In a few hours we'll be picking Emma up at the airport who is flying in from L.A for the RVA workshop this weekend and to spend a few weeks. We miss her so much and are so excited to spend some time with her. She requested her favorite Springfieldian food for tonight. That is chinese food from Korean Garden in Willard! yum yum!

Weekend work....

"Impression"
Contemporary Abstract
8" x 10" acrylic on canvas panel

This painting is my impression from a recent photograph that I took last Friday at Wickman's gardens, a local plant retailer. It's a small painting with lots of thick paint and color. I enjoy working in this style a lot. It's the mixture between the abstract and the realistic. I just listed this one on Etsy.   And....

we also planted a big garden this weekend as you can see in the photo. Gigi helped!! actually it was such a warm day, that she spent most of the time in the shade. We planted corn, tomatoes, squash, zuchini, watermelon, eggplant, cucumbers, honey dew, peas, cabbage, brocolli and brussel sprouts. We've always planted a garden, but this year we are really serious about cutting that grocery bill down. We'll see as the weather gets warmer and the weeds begin to grow. Anyway, it was great being outside and playing in the dirt! Rain, Rain, Rain....

Generosity

"Generosity"
Contemporary Abstract Acrylic Palette Knife
9" x 12"

This small abstract was inspired by a photograph I had taken at an orchid show. Orchids are a tropical plant and how they grow is really interesting. The seed pod was growing out from this particular plant. The seeds which are generously planted will then produce a generous crop.

Natural Night

"Natural Night"

Contemporary Abstract Acrylic
9" x 12"

This one reminds me a lot of another one I painted several weeks ago. Ice Flower was a set of three panels, whereas this is a single panel. I really enjoy painting in this style. I was working from a photograph of an orchid- kind of a cross between the realistic and abstract.

Something New

"Something New"

Contemporary Watercolor Abstract

Watercolors on Arches 140lb. cold press paper

13" x 17'" matted

This watercolor was the last painting that I did from the "Snow Princess" series.  It was a series of realistic transparent watercolors of a white gladiolus photographed off of our back patio last summer.  The shots were abstract in that I had zoomed in and cropped the flower, but the painting was done realistically.  Most all of them sold and one of them became a Christmas present.  The last one #12, turned out to be so much different than all the others.  Something new......

Second Life

"Second Life"

Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media

20" x 30" on illustration board

Framed in silver frame to 23" x 33"

 This one turned out to be a beautiful piece, although I wasn't sure I would be able to pull the idea off.  Lately, I've been working abstractly,loosely,expressionistically, yet incorporating that element of realism as well.  I've been enjoying the change in painting very much and feel as if growth is occurring.  This is the life of the painting that others can see, but there is another life and that is the process that is also a part of the paintings life.

There are so many ideas, problem solving and thoughts that go into a work.  I thought I would write about a few of those that stood out to me as I was working on this one. 

1. For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven..... Ecclesiates 3:1-14

I seem to have a difficult time living in the present- there's a lot of what if's, or when, or will---

this can lead to discouragement-- which is were I go often, but He provides ways in which I can be once again encouraged- Yesterday, it was my husband, Donnie who as usual puts things in perspective for me.  He confirmed in me that this is a time to grow in who I am as an artist- to paint, to produce and the other stuff will be taken care of in it's time.  Because I resigned from a teaching position that was a good part of our income, I will often worry about finances.  His little pep talk helped me get up and go paint.  My husband also gave me this verse as I first began this new journey last summer- "Do not despise the small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.  Zechariah 4:10  This speaks to me about today.  Live in the present. 

2.  Another thought I had and this one seems to be more of a reoccurring one, but it always blows me away in the way a work can seem like it's not working, it's not going to, how can all these different pieces come together creating a unified piece- and then it happens.  There it is- a beautiful piece.  This reminds me of how the Master artist works, taking all these broken parts, what seem to be messed up lives, or whatever the case might be, and uses them in such a way to bring the greatest good out of it.

3.  Also, I thought of how other artists have been used along the way in order to either just get me started, to encourage and nurture my talent, or to give advice.  Whatever the case might have been God provides in order that growth may occur.

4. And lastly, how creating can be an act of worship.  We often think of this with music, but there are so many other areas as well.  The process of taking those talents that have been given to you and using them creates a joy, that offers praises and thanksgiving to the Creator.  So, creating can be a lot like singing a praise song, only it's not seen or heard by others.

These were just a few of the thoughts that went with this painting. Often time, there are thoughts of family, friends, others, and prayer that will occur.  I've often entertained the thought, that perhaps the process might actually be the better part.  But then, perhaps there is a process for those who view the work.  Michael Card in the book he wrote "Scribbling in the Sand" says that what Jesus did when he scribbled in the sand created a space in time that allowed the angry mob to cool down and then to hear a word. --- If what we create, write, dance or sing can open up such a space in time through which God may speak, imagine the possibilities!"

So it seems there is always more there than meets the eye- a second life- 

Springtime!!!

"Les Fleurs"

Contemporary Abstract Acrylic

24" x 30" (2x 12"x 30")

I've been having a lot of fun lately painting with a palette knife.  This painting is on two gallery wrap canvases, with staple free and painted sides.  Spring is here!!

My husband and I have been invited to teach classes for the RVA craft weekend coming up in May.  Two of the RVA girls are our daughters Emma and Elsie. (we're very proud of them!)

 We are really looking forward to being involved in this exciting and fun weekend with the crafters.  Don is teaching a class on personalizing your own gourd! and I am teaching a class on creating a cute abstract journal.  Fun! Fun! Fun!  For more information check it out here.  ....and if you love what you see, check out the class schedules. and make plans to join this inspiring weekend!

Done?

"Garden Life"
Abstract Acrylic on 24"x30"
Contemporary Palette Knife

Today's daily painting. There is something about it that I really, really like, yet I'm not sure that it's done. Sometimes this comes so easily to me and I am sure of it, and then sometimes as with this one there is uncertainty.

Two in a Day

"Earth Move"

Acrylic Abstract on Canvas Panel

8" x 10"

"Beauty"

Transparent Watercolor on Arches

8" x 8"

I really never thought I would do this, but today I painted a realistic watercolor painting and an abstract. I usually go through a period where I'm doing just abstracts or just realistics. This was a surprise to me. I was really pushing to get them photographed so I could post them today, and so the watercolor was taken outside on our front porch. Well, it is snowing today and some snow blew in as I was photographing. If you look closely you'll see the snow flakes on Beauty!! No, I didn't paint those in. I did have a moment of panic though as it was getting wet, but it did dry without any spots.

Breakthrough

I posted several weeks the first piece that I believe I will always remember as my breakthrough piece. It was one of those that when it was completed I was in awe. (I might say so where others in my household!) I've been painting everyday for the six months. That is how long it has taken for this to occur. I believe I now have just begun. If you go back several weeks in my blog you will see this one. It is entitled "Snow White" My sister-in-law saw it over Thanksgiving and just loved it. It just so happens that I drew her name, so that one will get framed and will be her Christmas present. Since then I've been painting some really nice pieces. Last week, I spoke about committing to a particular style. It seems to be that this style and subject matter has chosen me. I am going to start my own daily paintings on this blog. If at anytime you are interested in any one of these paintings, I can be contacted through my e-mail address.

First Blog "Purple Fall Iris"

Well here I am posting my very first blog. If you have happened to come across this by chance I hope that you will add me to your list to follow. I am new at this and a bit technology challenged, but I am learning. So please be patient as I learn how to manipulate and navigate through all this.

I've been painting seriously for several months now. When I say seriously I mean that I left(resigned) my position as a teacher in order to pursue a professional career in art. I know probably a not so smart thing to do given the present economy, but I had to follow my heart. So I took a big step in moving out in faith. I love to paint and create!

I've been working realistically and abstractly in acrylics and watercolors. I always seem to come back to watercolors though. I never thought flowers would be something that I would be interested in as subject matter. But after several mentions from others, I decided to work on a few flowers. In fact I thought it might be a bit boring, but I have really taken up a passion to work with them. I've been taking my own photos to work with, so that I genuinely can call my paintings original. I also wondered how this interest in abstract and realism would come together, and I am finding that I can bring the abstraction into the realistic process.

I love zooming in on the flowers to where they become abstract, but yet you can still recognized them as being a part of a flower. A Georgia O'Keefe type of thing. She began painting these huge flowers on canvases, because she believed that New Yorkers needed to take some time and notice the beauty around that was being missed by such a fast pace life. By making them so big they couldn't help but notice, and they became abstract. So, I've been working with this as well.

I'm working on a professional resume. I've raised a family and taught as a Art Educator for over a decade. I am beginning this blog in order to journal this new journey and to encourage others. I have sold a few pieces and it has totally blessed my heart to hear from those people about how much they like and appreciate my work.

This painting that I have posted is titled "Purple Fall Iris". I recently took this photo on an excursion to a nearby park here in Missouri the last few days in September. ( I now have enough photos to last all winter!) This purple iris was in full bloom and was absolutely gorgeous. This week I spent a few days on this painting. I was attracted to the background in this photo because it had these circles which were actually flowers in the background that were out of focus.

I would love to hear any comments you might have!