studio dilemma

"Wed"
Acrylic on 36"H x 48" x 1.5" wrap canvas

SOLD


I am still struggling with working in my studio.  Only now it is because we've had to so some unexpected work on the basement ceiling, (not my studio) which curtailed removing the previous ceiling texture and replacing sheetrock.  It is a mess.  Therefore, I only tip toe through when I really, really need to get something. Not feeling like working down there with all that mess.  Plus, still working on the lighting in my studio.  This painting was completed last week before all this begun.  

Yesterday, I just needed to paint. So, I brought my watercolors, gouache, brushes and paper upstairs.
I've now set up a temporary studio in the kitchen!  Here I have decided I will use up the watercolors and gouache paint.  Because I mostly paint with acrylics the watercolors have not been used as much over the last few years.  Good watercolor paint is expensive, but a little bit goes a long ways and so they can last a long time. Only, if not used up over many years they will turn gummy like in texture which is what has happened. Gouache is another watercolor medium.  It is more opaque than watercolors.  I call it the oils of watercolors.  Love the feel of being able to mix and blend with them, especially with white.  To resolve the problem I'm having with the watercolors having turned gummy like, I'm mixing  white gouache into them.  Mixed media.

Back to the studio dilemma.  I feel like a broken record going over and over the struggle I've been having getting back into feeling at home in my new studio space.  It takes time to get things to where they are working for you.  I was encouraged this morning by reading another artist's struggle with this dilemma.  I've always admired her work and is pretty much a daily read of mine: Texas Artist Laurie Pace  Not feeling so alone now, in my struggle.

This painting can be viewed and purchased directly from my web gallery: HERE
or email me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

ready to frame.....

Aureus

Acrylic on 12" x 12" heavy (140lb) paper

Ready to be framed

$100

To purchase contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com 

or 

directly from my Web Gallery: HERE


More purple.... passion with purple lately...   My intent last week was to paint some more heart paintings and well at least that was the initial inspiration, for with each attempt something else emerged along with the purple.  But hey, some beautiful paintings were created, Aureus being one.  Just gotta go with the flow...

The majority of all my paintings are on canvases.  When I first began five years ago, my paintings were nearly all on watercolor paper as watercolors was my preferred medium. (traditional transparent watercolor with some abstracts) The switch came for me as the cost of matting/framing and then storing/displaying these framed works was not profitable.  So, for the most part I got away from creating paintings that would need to be framed.  However, I recently was contacted by a follower of my work that stated that she loves my abstracts, but strangely enough does not like canvases.  Actually,  this helped me to realize that..yes, there are people who like to frame work.

So, with all that said...it has actually brought back around a desire to work with watercolors on paper, Only, now with a different twist...why not water down the acrylics for more of watercolor effect and work with more mixed media.  However way, I am now out of the box of thinking that because I work on watercolor paper it needs to be the traditional transparent watercolor methods I was trained in.

And....I found a wonderful deal on 156lb. cold press Arches watercolor paper which is 51" wide on a 10 yard roll.  Not getting paid for this promotion, just passing it on..as quality watercolor paper is expensive.  I purchased the roll through Jerry's Artarama, link HERE.  

That is ALOT of paper....excited about the "ready to frame" paintings to come!

Check out my Web Gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

stop and notice the purples.....

'Astoreen'

Acrylic on 16" x 20" x 3/4" canvas

$250.00

SOLD

To purchase or more info. contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com 

or may be purchased from my Web Gallery: HERE

The color purple... has been on the color palette lately.  I've been using it more as a focal than an accent color in several of the last paintings.  Especially with this one, as it has a way of drawing you in to the area with the jewels.  I work intuitively with one thing leading to the next as I am searching for the composition of the painting.  Each painting that is completed leads to the next and so there will often be some familiarity between the ones that are painted within the same time frame. 

Check out my WEB GALLERY: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist