January Paintings Collaged

Collage of January's "30 paintings in 30 days challenge"


Created this collage of January's paintings using PicMonkey.  Kinda neat being able to see them all together. I actually painted a bit more than this last month.  Begun a couple of figurative abstract paintings that will be given to a couple of sisters from their mom. Almost, done. Also, a very large abstract that I will share next. Check back!

My Web Gallery is HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Conemporary Abstract Artist

Day Twenty Five

Harmonic Hearts

Acrylic on 6" x 6" heavy watercolor paper

Ready to frame

Available

Day TWENTY FIVE of the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge. It's almost that time again..Valentine's. Something else that I have been wanting to work on is my heart series.  This challenge has definitely pushed me to working more in various directions.  I hope to keep the momentum going past the 30 day challenge. 

WEB GALLERY

ELIZABETH CHAPMAN CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

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

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

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

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

transitioning

Transition

Acrylic on 40" x 40" x 1.5" wrap canvas

Ready to hang

This is what I have been working on this week, but will have to take another photo of it before listing it for sale.    I photograph outside with natural lighting either in the mornings or late afternoons.  Yesterday, when I remembered I needed to get this one photographed, I looked outside and  magic hour was nearly gone.  It was only 4:30 but with winter coming on the days are getting shorter.  I quickly grabbed my camera, jacket and my helper, hubbie and out into the cold we went.  I photographed from several angles and spots in hopes of capturing the best light.  This image was the best of what we took, except for the top left area that looks washed out without much definition.  So, we will have to work with photographing another day.  It is so very important  to get very good photographs of your work when your working on line.  I am not a high tech type of person, but I have learned over the years how to photograph using natural lighting and editing in order to get a photo to look as close to the real painting as possible.   It is important to me that my work be represented well for several reasons.  First of all, I would like for it to so capture a person's attention that they are willing to consider it as an investment for their home/office.  But even more importantly,  when it reaches it's destination and is unpackaged  I would like the buyer to feel as if they received what they were expecting and more.  Since you never really can't capture it all in an image, it works out that they are even more pleased with their painting in real!

I've been observing and responding to the changes of our season here in the Ozarks with changes in my color palette.  We are now getting to that point where all those beautiful fall leaf colors are drying up and the wind is beginning to blow the leaves off the trees. The colors are in transition from vivid intense to more browns.  I am finding beauty in this as well.  It was my hope to capture my observations of these changes in this painting with more of the browns from the trees being seen, but still pops of color.  What do you think?

My Web Gallery link is; HERE

or to contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

expressions

Trice

Mixed Media on 12" x 12" heavy watercolor paper

Ready to frame

Actually, this one was begun in a gesturally fashion with graphite and then it was used to clean my palette knife and roller on.  Today, as I was working on some other paper paintings I picked it up and completed it.  It also has some pieces of the dried on acrylic paint that you peel off of tubes. Fun.

...expressionistic.

If you just got to have it....may be purchased from my web gallery: here.

or email: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Have a wonderful week!

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

pushing through.....

Jewel

Acrylic on 12"H x 16"W heavy watercolor paper

Ready to frame

Ok I'm kicking myself for not having done this painting on a large canvas.  There are layers and layers of acrylic paint as I worked myself through this one.  There were stages that I loved but just not there yet, there were stages that I hated so all well what is there to lose.  In all, I just kept pushing through and I love it!  The layers of paint created some interesting textural surface..another plus.

If your new to my blog site, more abstracts can be found in my web gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

slow cooking...

Exact

Mixed Media on 16"W x 15.5"H watercolor paper

Ready to frame

Available

I've had this one setting on the back burner, so to speak.  Adding layers, this and that from time to time for the last several weeks.  Decided with the addition of the large circle that it was done this morning and photographed it to post/list.  I have another large 30" x 40" painting on the easel that I've been yearning to get back to work on.  Thursdays/Fridays are reserved grand daughter time and I had a few extra days this week as she was sick.  We played and played and played some more! So sweet when she wakes up and the first thing she says is "grandma will you play with me?" ....of course. 

So, shifting gears now...back into artist mode and hope to spend the next 3-4 days in the studio, painting, painting and painting some more!  The painting that is setting on the easel should be ready for your enjoyment, soon!

My paintings can be purchased directly from my web gallery:HERE using PayPal or other arrangements can be made by emailing me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

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

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

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

once, twice or both....

Once

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

WEB GALLERY

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

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

changing a bit...

Dena

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

Available

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

a wonderful surprise....

Entree

Mixed Media on 9" x 11" heavy watercolor paper

Ready to be framed

SOLD

A total surprise as I opened my email and saw that this painting had sold.  It had just been listed to my WEB GALLERY the night before.  This is where I always place my work first.  Once it has been photographed, a title has been chosen and a price decided then it is ready.  There are some days I may place more than one painting in my online gallery.  From there I will choose paintings to use as blog post and list on other various sites.  This one never had that opportunity!

I was able to package and ship on that same day.  I then contacted Liz to let her know what a surprise and notify her that "Entree" was on it's way along with her tracking number.  Later, I received a reply that she's always watching for my work, saw this one, it spoke to her and click...she bought it!  (she is one of those who have opted to join the email list and be notified of new work) Liz is one of my repeat collectors in which I am very thankful and appreciative, as well as all of you who have purchased or simply enjoyed viewing the work online.

Many times I do hear back from the buyer in which they might describe to me where the abstract has been hung, what it has meant to them, how much better in real it appears...and sometimes even pics are sent.  I often think about many of the paintings that have sold in the past and the homes that they have gone to, where they are hanging, who might be viewing them, etc.,   It brings me much joy knowing that my work is being used as a blessing to others.  All glory and praise to God.

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

email: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

daily works...

Lustrous

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

Available

I like being able to offer a variety of different sizes to choose from for those interested in collecting a work for their home or office.  For me, it can be be almost more difficult working on a mini canvas than the wide open space of a large canvas.  The change from large to small or vice a versa has always been good, though.  Lately, I have found myself working on more than one painting at a time.  I have found this to give me a break and a fresh perspective from a particular work and it seems to help loosen me up into the creative mode.  However way, always hoping to create works that are beautiful and will be enjoyed by others.  Available works can be seen in my Web Gallery: HERE.

....we've also been growing food to be enjoyed!  yum yum We have been up EARLY each morning  putting about an hour of work into this garden.  Now, the harvest has begun!  There are cucumbers, green beans, peppers, LOTS, LOTS of squash and just yesterday the first red tomato!  It's been, I believe the best garden we've ever had as usually what begins enthusiastically ends by mid-summer when we are overwhelmed  and it's hot. The secret has been keeping after it, doing a little each day.

Much like painting!  

Thought you might enjoy a few garden pics:

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

to email me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

cool blues....

Pelagic

Acrylic on 24" x 36" x 3/4" wrap canvas

Ready to hang

SOLD

May be purchased directly from my Web Gallery: HERE

or by contacting me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Started this one a few weeks ago bringing it to a point that I really liked, yet did not feel it was quite where I wanted it to be.  Left it alone for a while hoping and waiting for the next idea.  Time paid off, as I got up one day with the idea for circles.  I am always just a little leary of going back in on a painting that I am really liking, as the whole thing could possibly change.  I am happy to say that the original composition and color scheme pretty much remained in tact as I worked the spheres in. 

 I'll have to confess...I am not the one who titles the painting.  Now and then I will come up with one, but for the most part it can take me much longer to title a piece than to paint it. Lol..  it is my husband who works on the titles.  So thankful! The questions I get asked are " So, what does it remind you of,  or what where you thinking about?" Sounds easy enough...but from this I will have some long, long meaning of it all....somehow he is able to sort through and pick a title.

This list is pretty much all that it was reminding me of, from which he used the thesaurus to find the title.

Pelagic:  abyssal, aquatic, boating, cruising, deep-sea, marine, maritime, navigating,navigational, oceangoing, oceanic, oceanographic, pelagic , rowing, sailing, sailorly, salty, sea-loving, seafaring, seagoing, thalassic, yachting

More of my abstracts and information can be found in my Web Gallery by clicking: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

a new approach....

Rococo

Acrylic on 24" x 36" x 1.5" wrap canvas

May be purchased from my web gallery: HERE

or by contacting me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

SOLD

Incredibly busy week!  Spring has finally made it into the Ozarks and we have had So MUCH we've been waiting -for what seemed like forever -to get done outside.  The garden is nearly all planted..yay...bring on the rain!  We nearly just gave up on putting one in this year, with the late, late frost, snow the beginning of May, a weekend of rain that had pounded down on our newly plowed plot. There were plants started in the house that we just weren't able to get out and we were afraid to lose them.  Anyway, we got out with a hoe this week, broke the soil up and planted...varieties of green peppers, tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, green beans and corn.

What has all this got to do with painting....well there's been no time to put the brushes to the canvas.  It's ok though, it has been SO wonderful playing outdoors after a long winter.  I can only see this as the beginning of a new busy season...as we also have a wedding in June!! Our daughter Emma and Trey George will be exchanging wedding vows on June 8th!!!  Many other activities lined up for June as well.

I  have gotten caught up in much, but also realize that I do need to continue to work. Just needing to formulate a new strategy.  I think I'll call it "layers of summer".  Sounds like a series. mmm..cool.  Anyway, watercolors can be a good medium for this as they require drying time in-between the layering of color washes and I can run off to do other things.   I began one this morning that I have already been coming back to,  adding on and still working intuively.  Also, got a white canvas out to begin a new acrylic painting using this same approach and working on several at a time.  We'll see...

Oh...and I had a birthday this week!!

A collection of my abstract paintings can be seen in my web gallery: HERE!

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist