go ahead, play....

Inspira

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

Available

I've been working on creating some paintings with thin layers of paint.  This one began that way...and as you can see it ended with thick layers of paint. Next to color,  I enjoy having textures in my paintings. Kinda difficult to get away from. The something new that I learned with this one is that an interesting contrast can be created by having a textured shape next to smoother areas.  As the paint continued to be added and I had switched over to working with a palette knife, I decided to squeeze some Liquitex coarse sand texture directly into the golden yellow paint. Then mixed it in with a palette knife.  (Ordinarily I will layer my textures on the canvas first, letting it dry before painting or the texture is built up by the paint itself.)  Pretty much only used it in those areas and left it to dry.  Loved the contrast it created in texture on the surface of the canvas.  Playing more with different types of shapes as well....so overall, it's just time to play!  Perhaps I'll give the lighter layers of paint another try... ?? or not!!

"Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play." Henri Matisse


More abstracts can be seen and purchased directly from my Web Gallery: HERE
or email me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

ORIGINAL Abstract Painting "Afterglow" by Contemporary Artist Elizabeth Chapman

'Afterglow'

Acrylic on 36" x 36" x 1.5" wrap canvas
$1200.00

To purchase contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Afterglow.....is now finished and ready to be hung on your wall.  Just an email away!  Currently we have it on the wall in our home that we call the revolving wall, as we know it will soon be moved.  It has a very nice fixture of overhead lights to view a painting, just like it was in a gallery.  This morning as I walked through to grab my morning coffee, it caught my eye with how well it enhanced the mahogany wood trim in our home.  The work is not done once a painting is completed.  There is the time spent  photographing a picture that will represent that painting well, listing it on various sites, posting, social media, hanging in public places, ordering and replenishing supplies, inquiries to answer, studio cleaning, etc. and for this time of year taxes.  There is always the hope that the painting will sell fresh off the easel! Since that is not most usually the case, at least not for me, there is time in waiting for that perfect customer to contact me.  In the meantime...another painting is begun in faith.  Enjoy the flash of colors!

Available abstracts can be viewed in my Web Gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

Commissioned Palette Knife Painting, "Summer Splay" by Elizabeth Chapman

'Summer Splay'

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

Commissioned Painting

Mixing and Merging...... of color  begins on the canvas itself.  I love painting these that I refer to  as my palette knife paintings.  There is no pre-mixing of color and planning as it all occurs on the canvas itself.  It's beautiful watching the colors that are created as they mix and merge into each other.  Now with that said, I must say that there was a plan to this one as it was a commissioned painting in which the request was that it look like a previous painting of mine 'Indian Summer',( post from 2009 on what to do when discouraged)  only much larger.  So, I did lay out a basic sketch of the composition and color scheme on the canvas beforehand.  However, that very first painting was created in the summer time with a hint of fall in the air without any preconceived ideas, working intuitively with one color leading to the next.

With each new painting there is something to be learned.  To be honest re-creating from a previous painting of mine takes some of the excitement, anticipation and inspiration away as I pretty much know what the outcome will be.  For my inspiration, (besides the fact of being paid) my thoughts were centered around this family and the enjoyment they were going to receive, how it would speak to each member of the family, what it would mean to them, etc.,,  There were many problems with obtaining a good image of this painting because of the reds in it.  Red is always difficult to photograph. This time it seemed much worse as we tried many, many, many different times of the day.   The reds where all blurred into one and not showing the various value tones. Having a good representation was so very important as they needed to see it as close to possible to the real painting in order to approve the work. This time I just decided to google problems with photographing red....and found to my delight, my answer.  Various camera models will photograph reds differently. Duh.  I have been using a new camera that I purchased in order to have higher resolutions pic.  Switching off to my old camera solved the mystery.  Guess what I will be using to photograph paintings with a lot of red in them from now on?!

This image of "Summer Splay" was seen and approved (LOVED) by the new owners of the new painting.  However, they have not seen it in real, yet! as it is presently on it's way.  

Awaiting in anticipation their response of the real work!!

more abstracts. here.

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

Abstract painting "Mercy" ORIGINAL Contemporary Art by Elizabeth Chapman

Mercy
Acrylic on 36" x 36" x 1.5" wrap canvas
Latest, 2013

To purchase email me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Marketing..... after having resigned my job and beginning this new career, the hardest thing that I had to begin to learn was marketing.  As most artists, we would much rather be in the realm of creating than that of business.  Much has been learned in the past five years and I can now say that I do enjoy it!  I have been fortunate to have had a husband who was raised working in a business and has taught me.  Creating and marketing are two very different worlds yet it takes both working together in order to sustain a small business.  It has occurred to me that over the years as I have posted, that often I have written about the artistic side but never have I posted about selling the work.     I would like to post tidbits... so we'll see!


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Mesmerize, ORIGINAL Contemporary Abstract Painting by Elizabeth Chapman

'Mesmerize'

Acrylic on 36" x 36" x 1.5" canvas

Ready to hang

For purchasing information contact:

elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Summer time blues....Always so much more beautiful to view in real as the image does not always capture all the subtle  variations  and surface textures.  A dip in the blues is  refreshing and a way to cool off those hot summer days.  You will be sure to be captivated and mesmerized by color with this painting.  Perhaps hanging in your home?!!

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist