encouragers

Guess the last post got me to thinking about encouragers and how I have been inspired by those around me along the way. That along with just feeling like I REALLY want to try some new things on my blog is what this post is about.   This little painting is back from 2009 and at that time I did not change those image numbers to a title. So, don't remember the tittle to this small collage. 2009  is when I photographed  this piece. I really think it was actually painted  from a  few years before that  Probably about an 8" x 10" on watercolor paper, watercolor collage that has since then sold.

I wanted to find one of my first abstracts and this is it.  This was done with watercolors and stencils.  They were really a lot of fun and you might want to try it.  At this point, I had no idea I would one day become an abstract painter.  I was painting realistically with watercolors.  So here is the very beginningof the abstract track.  I would cut out shapes from the watercolor paper and place them on my painting surface. Then I would paint around these shapes with a the lightest layer of color.  When dry, I would then place those shapes on another area of the paper, overlapping existing color with another layer of watercolor. Paint over that… and continue on with that process. Darkest colors last. It was just fun using your imagination to find beauty in color, lines, shapes, textures.  Last thing, I would do was find a way to take the actual stencil pieces and work them into the piece. In this posted piece, you can find them glued to the the bottom of the piece. Can you see them?

Like I said, these were just for fun.  At the time, I was still working as a teacher.  My very first encouraging person was an absolutely wonderful person, mentor to me and artist, whom I love very much name Emily Frost.  We would meet now and then, kinda like art club and share art that we were working on.  Emily would just go on and on about my abstract pieces. Guess what…I would go home from her studio place and crank out some more pieces.  Each time we met, again she would take a  look at my new work…go on and on about it……I was like really, you think these are good. Lifted, I would go home to create more art.  Unknowingly, a seed was planted. 

She was and still is an encourager to me..we still meet, but now it's more like once or twice a year.  I linked her name to where you can view her work.  In case you missed it. here it is again.   She has quite the collection of found objects which she would use in creating these 3-D pieces. Presently, she is transitioning to working in a different medium.  AND  recently, I learned she will be moving to Texas.  Not only an encourager, but a very talented fine artist herself.  Thank goodness for the internet as that will be how we will meet to encourage one another.  Or perhaps a trip or two to Texas!  Find and surround yourself with encouragers, they bring life and inspiration.  Next weekend, I'll share with you another person who was instrumental in finding the artist within. 

My current body of abstract paintings can be viewed and purchased from this site: HERE 

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

Experi, Modern Art, Mixed Media Contemporary Abstract Painting, Original, Elizabeth Chapman

'Experi'

Mixed Media, 6.5" x 9.5" 140lb. paper

Click on image for close up or use the zoom feature on Zatista

To purchase, contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

  

Yes, it's another small mixed media painting....so where is this taking me.   Well, sometimes I believe it's just good to take a break or change things up.  I love this post that my daughter Elsie wrote on her blog about having taken a break from painting. You can read about it on A Beautiful Mess, here.  Excited to see her new direction!

As I have been posting lately these paintings are being started differently.  I am beginning with gestural drawings in graphite to the feel of music and then bringing in color.  I've been enjoying the look of the graphite showing through the paint and the addition of lines, creating another dimension of depth.

Today...not feeling much in the mood to paint....

I walked into my studio where I have an enourmous canvas (60" x 40")  that my husband has put up on the wall for me.  I have been staring at it for days....with various ideas and inspirations coming to mind, but a lack of motivation to begin.  I decided I would start with my new found mixed media method and paint some small abstracts, perhaps this would warm me up for that monster on the wall.

Hey, it worked!!... after having painted on the small ones (they'll get posted later) I took up a piece of Nupastel and began gesturally drawing to music on the large canvas.  Loved it!  Then came a decision on color and I began painting.  I was so wrapped up and truly enjoying the experience that I have decided to not worry about getting it done....and just simply go back to it from time to time, day to day....layering and enjoying the process.  We'll see!

Please visit my Web Gallery for a complete portfolio of my work: www.melizabethchapman.artspan.com

A New Year.....

New Princess

Modern Contemporary Abstract

Acrylic on 24" x 24" gallery wrap canvas


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Anniversary special: $175.00-

(through this weekend)

Contact: Elizabeth

..... a new year has begun! One year ago I began this new chapter in my life. I had resigned my position as a tenured high school art teacher the previous spring. Unknowingly the years of dealing with the classroom as a teacher had taken it's toll. I had developed an extreme amount of anxiety, became irrational in my thinking and began questioning what a nervous breakdown was all about. .... yes, at that point I began wondering if I wasn't having one and so when the pain of staying became greater than the pain of leaving it was time to go.....

I knew deep down in my heart that I was an artist. Touching it through my education and classroom experience helped verify if for me. I'd rather have been known as a great teacher than a starving artist. That was my intention. I was not at all a practicing artist. Over the previous years I had dabbled in my own art and the desire to work as an artist began growing. There have been many people at just the right times that were placed as influences and encouragers along the way.

My first summer out was spent mostly learning technology type things and playing in art. I had absolutely no idea- and I do mean NO idea of what I was going to paint. No idea of subject matter, style, medium and the list goes on. .... and so I started with what I knew. As fall and the new school year began it was time to get serious. The familiarity I knew all so well was gone. I began that first week just as if I was going back to work at school! I went to my studio at 8:00 in the morning and sat there until 11:00, lunch break- then went back for the afternoon. What do I do???? ..... and so I decided to begin with what I knew. I had taken private watercolor lessons for several years after school when I was in high school from an artist who lived in our town. I knew watercolors. I had some close up shots of a white iris I had taken off of our back patio. This began the Snow Princess series of which there were ten. For two weeks I went to work just as if I was going to school and painted these flowers. ...... in October I began blogging and the beginning with these flowers can be seen.

Of course there where many a morning of waking up and thinking... omg... what have I done? many days of doubting... but always provided were many encouragers and those who have influenced me. My biggest supporter, encourager.... and collector! is my best friend- my husband Don. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,..... Zechariah 4:10 is a verse that hangs in my studio that was given to me by him. Many a times I have looked up at this and been reminded that it's about using what we've been given whole heartedly in the present time that really counts and not so much about the end result.

This week has had it's mixed emotions and as I reflected I realized that it was the back to school thing again. I decided I would do a painting as part of that reflection. This week I painted what I have posted today- "New Princess" I began this painting from memory of the Snow Princess series and as it progressed I got the old photographs out. The very first one is posted here at the end for comparison. In January of last year, yet another influence was sent into my life, Laurie Pace, A Texas Contemporary Fine Artist. Please take time to check her out. This artist contacted me through having seen some of my watercolor flowers on line. Little did I know that she would so change my ways. Through a few e-mails she offered advice and encouraged me to BELIEVE in myself.

I had spent months day after day working on these watercolors of which I had developed a good technique. There had also been a few abstracts as well. My husband had been telling me he really enjoyed my abstracts better, but I was resistant and hard headed. Bound and determined was I to continue the realistic transparent watercolors. In one of her e-mails Laurie had told me she thought my flower watercolors were good, but the abstracts were strong. ..... still I resisted.

Around this time I had taken some work into a local gallery, Hawthorne Galleries. They had liked my flowers but I could tell they were more interested in the abstracts. Also, having enough work they asked me if I would like to have a solo show! OMG!!! it would be in June.... still some time. I resisted a bit more, but knew I would need some more abstracts for this show. Finally, one day I walked into my studio, switched mediums and layed out every large canvas I had bought with the intention of doing an abstract and began..... I had resisted long enough....

The result were the abstracts.... Ocean Opera, Sewing Frenzy, Mirage, Garden Life,Vibrant, Two Fold, Night Life, Red Abstract, Italia, The Show, the more thought out Nine and the blended Red Tulip. It was an exciting time. They just flowed out of me..... It was beyond me.... I knew it was a gift that was given to me... I was free to express....the artist was emerging and the resistance was over or at least for most of the time.

As I go into this new year, it truly feels like the beginning of a new beginning. I now call myself an artist. I have so much more of an idea of who I am as an artist, the confidence, boldness and idea of what it takes to work as an artist. Somedays I feel as if it almost seems unfair, that I should have to work so much harder for so much less... but I am happy and am working in who I was created to be. I still teach, but privately and joyfully! Art has also played a part this last year in the healing and I am feeling so much stronger in so many areas of my life.

Much has changed over the last year and so much more than I ever expected has occurred. The biggest influences and inspirations are most usually the closest to us and perhaps taken the most for granted. I am speaking of my children who have been and continue to be a major inspiration in my life as I have watched them leave the nest and begin to go in the way in which they should go with much courage and faith in who they are.

So how long did it take to me to paint "New Princess"???.... all year long! and how am I beginning this year??? ....... well, today I'm taking the day off! catching my breath and... then... hello... it's me THE ARTIST!

"Snow Princess I"

Watercolor

Elizabeth Chapman Daily Abstract Painter

My Web Gallery

Daily Abstract Painters Blog

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.

Purely Organic

"Purely Organic"

Watercolor Collage

Matted and framed to 19" x 23"

This is another one of those earlier pieces I did when I was just playing around with watercolors and making stencils to paint around and in. It's also another one of those that I almost gave up and would have liked to have thrown it away! It began with the background and I really struggled with trying to make something of it. It was quite the challenge.

One day I was working with it and still trying to figure out what to do, when I noticed another little watercolor painting laying close by. I picked it up and began cutting by following the contours giving me these different shapes to work with. ( I think it may have been a flower?)
Then I began placing these various pieces on the background and just playing until something began to emerge that I believed worked and pulled it all together. Another happy accident!!?

Now, to be honest with you- I really never did like it all that much until others began telling me how much they liked it. Then it was kinda like- oh really. It has been a pretty popular piece. Just never really know!! My husband named it "Purely Organic".

Everlasting Love

"Everlasting Love"

Watercolor Collage

Framed and matted to 19" x 23"

I really debated about posting this one for Valentine's Day because of the dripping red paint symbolic of blood, but it really is about love, a love so great that it surpasses all of our understanding.

A Father's love that provides a refuge, a shelter, a friendship, that gives life, that is sacrificial, pure, patient, merciful, compassionate and forgiving. A love that provides a complete covering through the blood of a lamb by way of God's doorpost, the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a blessed weekend!!
Elizabeth

Lily

"Lily"

Mixed Media

Matted and framed to 24" x 30"

This is another one of those paintings that has many layers and layers. The layers are mostly transparent and made up of various materials. It was mostly done with watercolors, but then at one point it just wasn't working so I gessoed over an area and worked with some acrylics, and lastly oil pastels were used. This is one of those pieces in which I am reminded in how all things can come together and work in creating something beautiful. Like the way God can take all things, no matter what they might be, and use them to bring goodness. Lily has been matted and framed with an off white matt and frame.

Ninth Hour

Watercolor Collage

"Ninth Hour"

Matted and framed to 19" x 23"

This is another one of those pieces I did during an earlier period when I was first starting to play around with the watercolors. It began with a watercolor landscape painting in which I had became frustrated with and tore into these many pieces. Yes, I really hate to admit I did that! Anyway, after having torn this painting I began to put it back together. Imagine that! I kinda liked the look so just continued to play with arranging and gluing the pieces down. I love the colors in this one!

Vibrant

"Vibrant"


SOLD

Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

24" x 30"

"Rose of Sharon"

5" x 7" matted and framed to 12" x13"

Mixed Media


and the answer is..... The Sydney Opera House! Many of you guessed the landmark that Ocean Opera was titled after. Well, I got done with Ocean Opera and I was staring at the next canvas. This one already had this golden under painting on it that I had put on last summer, with another idea in mind, and then I left it to work on watercolors. As I got ready to begin this one, the night before I had absolutely no idea what it would be, but I did know that it would happen.

I had brought home the smaller framed painting from the Bellwether Gallery, and had hung it on
the wall in our living room. The next morning as I was eating breakfast I glanced up and noticed the background color on this little one was almost exactly the color I already had on the canvas downstairs! There it was! I would reproduce it on to the larger canvas. It absolutely amazes me how God provides. Along with some of my abstracts, this had been one of the paintings that Hawthornes last fall had liked, only they preferred larger pieces. I have an appointment to take in abstracts at the end of this month, and so I've been concentrating more on these abstracts. It still amazes me! The canvas was ready, I had just picked up the piece it was to become the day before, and then I just happened to glance at it as I was eating. Hope they like it!

There it is on our wall! I had to check it out and see how it looked. The little painting came about last fall as I was working on another abstract for several hours and listening to Secret Garden. I was a little frustrated with what was going on and picked up a small piece of watercolor paper and Rose of Sharaon just happened. Enjoy!

Tomorrow night is First Friday Art Walk for downtown Springfield, and the grand opening for RedVelvetArt. We were there this morning helping to hang some prints on clipboards. It is all so beautiful and amazing. They were taped this morning and will be on tonights news. Looks like we are going to have some nice weather as well, and this will help bring everybody out.

Connections

Today I took and hung this work at the Bellwether Gallery here in Springfield, Missouri to be a part of Friday's Art Walk. The Bellwether is a gallery in downtown that was opened by Second Baptist Church as a ministry to promote the arts, encourage artist, in the downtown area and for the community.

The very first show I was in was with the Bellwether. It began with a juried art show called "Connections" sponsored by this church. At the time I had just begun to play around with creating these pieces using stencils. I would take and cut out a shape from watercolor paper, then I would lay the shape(S) down on watercolor paper, paint around them, then move them around, turn them over, etc.,
Many times I would work on two of them at a time, while one was drying I could work on the other. Plus, it kinda helped to get away from it a bit to see it differently again, and know what to do next. I worked intuitively, with no rules. It was all fun. The challenged was then to make it work. Later, it got to where the stencils themselves were glued in and became a part of the design. A collage This one that is posted is one of those. I have thought about doing a workshop with this technique, just because it would be alot of fun, but not sure if any one would be interested in it.

Then I heard about this art show they were having, and I thought no way. A friend encouraged me to enter a couple of pieces. I didn't place but I was chosen to be in the show. With it being a juried show I felt quite honored. The next year the same thing. I still felt very honored. This time when I went to pick up my work, I stopped to talk to this lady who was working there "Ginny" and she was thanking me for having shared my work. I responded with I really wish there was a way that I could tell the story of how these came about. She asked me about it, and loved it. She later asked me if I had more works that I could show, and I was able to place twenty pieces in a show along with couple of other artist. My first show! I was so excited! Anyway after this Ginny asked if I would be willing to provide a piece for each month. So, many of these pieces had some pretty neat biblical accounts that went with them.
The one that I am showing this month (it's the one I posted) I'm really pretty excited about. This piece had been done around that time as well, in the same matter, but I never really liked it, and so it had been tossed into the throw away pile to possibly be used later in a collage. Well, several years have gone by and one afternoon (I have a disabled student that I work with on Tuesday afternoons that loves abstracts), Christa pulled this one out and said "I love it", and so I thought o.k we'll do something with it. I took it to the framers and dropped it off along with some other work that I needed done, but then forgot about it. Several months later, I was thinking about what I was going to take to the Bellwether and had gone to pick up some other work, and when I saw this one I looked at it, and perhaps I was given different eyes, but I thought oh how beautiful. I saw the crosses in and I knew it was the piece for the Bellwether.

But yet, I didn't have a message for it. I got to thinking about it and realized that how it came to be was the message. It is titled "Throw Away"- and the message that will go along side it talks about how when we or others can feel rejected, ashamed, not good enough etc., thrown away so to speak, God with his great love for us, and through the holiness of Christ can make something beautiful of that which is tossed aside as not being worthy in man's eyes.

This was a part of the beginning of re-connecting with creating art. I went through a time in my early years of thinking that as a Christian it was not a good thing to be involved in art. That was some crazy thinking! Having been created in His image, and God being the master artist creator, gave us a sliver of that desire to create. We were made to create for His glory.

Recently, I met an incredible artist that has really inspired me and so I would like to share this one with you. If your interested check out this site http://lauriepace.blogspot.com- "A Texas Contemporary Fine Artist" I do believe that you will be inspired as well!!

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.

What's Up!

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This week I finished painting and posting most all the abstracts I've painted for the new Etsy shop. I ended the week with this little abstract (not posted yet) and then I began another watercolor realistic painting. (posted on the far left. Not completed yet) What's up with that?! Two styles of painting that seem to be on opposite sides of each other.
I'm inspired by Georgia O'keefe and have been reading a biography of hers lately. This perhaps is helping to make some sense of it. At one point in her life she had given up on painting, when she was inspired by a certain teacher, that taught her it's more about making a beautiful space. It's how shapes are placed within a picture that express an idea. So, maybe more importantly is not style but design.
Last weeks abstracts are on Etsy. http://colorsplashes.etsy.com

Fractal

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Fractal- mixed up color in a garden. That's me!! A bit late on keeping up my post. I've been meaning to post once a week. Anyways I am back to working on abstracts- at least I was last week and will be finishing up this week. Although, I painted a red spotted tiger lily this morning. I can post this on E-bay.

I thought I would post one of my dotted abstracts "Fractal" on here today. I've completed ten of these and will be starting up a new shop on Etsy with these. Will see how these go. They really have been alot of fun to create- don't ask me about the dots I somehow got into dots. It all started with stencils, watercolors and gouache. Almost as much fun was coming up with the names! Enjoy!

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!