Mixed Media Contemporary Floral Abstract by Elizabeth Chapman

Canyon Cluster

Mixed Media 22"H x 28"W canvas

Available

To purchase or for more information contact me: elizabethchapmanart@gmail.com

Visit my website to see more of my colorful abstracts: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

divine...

Divine
Mixed Media on 9" x 11" heavy watercolor paper
Ready to frame

May be purchased directly from my Web Gallery: HERE


Soon it will be time to get back to those large, large canvases.  Whether  large or small, I am always looking for the flow of the painting.  This one was begun with soaking wet 156lb watercolor paper.  Gesturally marks where then made with a black watercolor pencil.  The first layer of color was applied with watercolors while the paper was still wet. Chinese white was used in the white areas to soften the pencil marks.  Acrylics were later over laid to pop a few colors, creating more depth.

When is a painting done?  That can sometimes be difficult to determine.  I really like the simplicity and all the white in this one as it is, so have just decided to leave it alone and call it finished. Seemed to be the flow...

Have a divine weekend!

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

for the love of.....

Chichi

Mixed Media on 30"H x 22"W 150lb. watercolor paper

Ready to be framed

SOLD

To purchase through PayPal directly from my Web Gallery, go here.

or you may contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

This week I worked on a large tryp-tych (60" x 60") that will be a gift for our son Doren's new apartment.  Soon I will have it photographed to be shared here.  I began two new paintings that will be works in progress and completed this one and it's only Wednesday.   Phew!

Working on more than one painting at a time helps take me away, giving me a fresh perspective and I to see the next step when I get back to the work.  AND...it's productive!!

This painting was began alongside another one. (that one is not completed)  The initial inspiration was upon waking up in the morning there was an iris that my husband has placed in a vase on the dresser. I love flowers and am especially fond of the buds, just before they bloom.  This had both.  

Later, after the morning routine of coffee, breakfast, alone time...you know the routine, I went to work. Knew just exactly what I wanted to work with.  Picked up that floral arrangement and took into my studio where I placed it on a table that my grand daughter uses for her play dough and such.  

Decided I would also take a picture of it...just incase.  That picture can be seen here, as an instant gram.  When I saw the picture, I was struck by all the colors that were in the background created by Penny's artwork that we've been hanging up.  I really had no idea how much of an influence that would turn out to be, as I did think back on that initial thought several times while working on this piece.

The painting was begun by soaking the paper down with water.  Then by placing the first few strokes of watercolors allowing first impressions began to show through.  While wet a quick gesture drawing was done.  Then began the process of layering watercolors in between drying time.  Acrylics began to be worked in along with adding gesso.  Quite the mixture.  In time there was scratching through the surface of the paint allowing previous layers to be seen and creating patterns.

Painting change immensely from the original watercolor, gesturally drawing.  But, one thing remained...that I absolutely love....and that is the bud just beginning to blossom at the top of the painting.  Do you see it...or is it just me?

Check out my WEB GALLERY to see more contemporary abstract paintings.

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

aha moment....

Flowerburst

Mixed media 12"W x 16"H 140lb. watercolor paper

Ready to frame.

Sold

To see more of my contemporary abstracts please visit my Web Gallery: HERE

Several years ago when I first began painting with acrylics I found them very frustrating to work with.  I was a realistic painter who had been trained in transparent watercolors and oils.  I LOVED oils.  I felt confident working in both of these mediums as I could work slowly blending and layering colors.  The switch to acrylics was made for practical reasons.  Because acrylics dry SO quickly, I simply began working very quickly, pretty much sticking with a painting until completion.  The more and thicker the acrylic paint that is added the longer the drying time and more time you have to work.  

I am still working with acrylics, but have decided to try some new approaches.  Wrote about this in the last post. This is the painting that I was working on as I wrote that post.  The initial inspiration was from some irises that my grand-daughter and I had cut and arranged in a vase.  I absolutely love irises with their graceful curvy lines and their intricate inner patterns.  Anyway, I began with watercolors and a loose gesturally drawing of the irises.  Watercolor washes were applied and allowed to dry as I went off to do something else.  Coming back to it from time to time gave me a new fresh perspective and new idea to apply.

The circles (and there are layers of these) were the beginning of the addition of acrylic paint.  From this point on the layers in various ways are applied with acrylics.  It is a mixed media painting having used watercolors, graphite and acrylic paint.  The richness of this painting was built up with experimenting, playing and adding color intuitively.  The "aha" moment came with the addition of the parallel pyrole orange lines done with the side of a palette knife.

I was originally working from a floral still life of irises in a vases and got way off track.  But, I think it's lovely...don't you?!  And, it sold within two days of having completed it!!  Fresh off the easel.

Eileen, thank you so much!!  

Your support is VERY much appreciated!

Hope it's enjoyed for many, many years to come!!

Web Gallery

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

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

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

Splendor, Mixed Media Contemporary Abstract Painting, Elizabeth Chapman

'Splendor'

Mixed Media 7" x 7" 140lb. paper
Click on image for close up

My DPW Gallery

Another small abstract on paper,  playing with watercolor, gouache, graphite and a touch of acrylic paint.  I've been starting these out with the graphite lines in response to the music I am listening to, and then painting over them.  I like the look of the graphite showing through....any way always experimenting!

Web Gallery: www.melizabethchapman.artspan.com