Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere

11 x 15 Acrylic on heavy paper

Available from my website: HERE

"Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."  --E.Y. Harburg

I'm a dreamer. It's true. Perhaps it's a part of the reason that I love to create as I can take an idea(s) and make them come true on the surface of a canvas. As in this painting "Somewhere", available by clicking:HERE. I also believe that there are plans and purposes for our lives and when we connect with the Creator they are revealed to us as the desires of our hearts. They do come true, so dream on! 

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

Modern Abstract Painting "Perusal" by Elizabeth Chapman

Perusal

Acrylic on 30" x 40" canvas

SOLD

This another one working in a new style that begun over the summer and has been developing. You can go to my website, click on the large abstract category to view all at the same time. See if you can find the other ones in this similar style?

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

Modern Expressionistic Abstract Painting "Summit" by Elizabeth Chapman

Summit

Acrylic on 22" x 28" canvas

ORIGINAL 2015

Available

To purchase this piece link to any of the stores on my side bar to the left...or contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

I would be more than happy to help you!

This piece was begun while painting with a couple of friends. It began as a palette knife painting in my usual "have no idea where I'm going with this" mode.  I brought it home just not totally satisfied with it all...kinda going through that ugly stage. I softened up the edges creating the perfect effect both in color and texture. Love it now!!

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

Modern Expressionistic Blue Abstract Painting "Fruition" Acrylic on 36" x 48" canvas by Elizabeth Chapman

Fruition

Acrylic on 36"H x 48" canvas

SOLD

To purchase this painting directly from my Etsy store: HERE  or from Zatista HERE  

You may also contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Painting can be a struggle and then again it can be such a joy. The struggle often comes in finding the flow of a particular painting. Getting in the groove, so to speak. I was going along pretty safely here, but it just didn't feel right. Needed something. For me this time as often, it was a matter of taking a risk. That is where the circular motion came in and then there was that moment of just knowing, this was it. The joy of creating a painting that has it's own unique voice.

My website is: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Modern Expressionistic Abstract Blue Painting "Ingress" by Elizabeth Chapman

Ingress

Acrylic on 30" x 40" x 1.5" canvas

Available from VerandasFine Art & Gift Gallery

Fair Haven, New Jersey

To see more of my available abstract paintings please visit my website: HERE

or link to a store from one of the side bars.

What inspires you? The initial spark that sets a painting in motion, where does it come from? Well, ultimately it is from the Creator of all things. But, from our perspective, what is it?  With each painting, there is an inspiration behind it. This one came to be from a memory of an image I had seen before that so impressed me...that well it stuck. I have gone back to it on many an occasion to attempt the idea finding it to be harder than it appears. So, "what is it?" you ask...

Although, I have never been to I absolutely love viewing images of landscapes, seascapes and in particular the houses in Greece.  The white houses trimmed with blue windows and doors and the color of the ocean water with so many variations of blue. SO, beautiful. In particular, it's been the boldness of the houses that captured my interest. Much harder to paint than it appears. How can you just use blue and white? this is the closest I have come! 

Here's one inspired from that same idea from back in 2010,  "Merge" (click HERE)

Wow! I remember beginning that painting with the same concept of just using  blue and white. Probably an ultramarine blue. Found it to be harder than I thought and introduced other colors into it. I'm sorry the photography of it is not so good. It did turn out to be a beautiful painting in real and has since sold. This one was begun with an indigo blue which is the darkest that you see in this image, not black. I did absolutely love the contrast that it created right away, but still not enough. I pushed forward with more blues, but trying to keep it just that.

Where does your inspirations come from?

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Small Abstract Painting "The Blue" by Elizabeth Chapman

The Blue

Acrylic on 8" x 8" wrap canvas

$85 Available on Etsy: here

I have so gotten into these small ones, that I keep forgetting to post one of the newer large ones. SO, here I am setting this one up to be listed on Etsy, my website and the DPW site tomorrow.  I like to keep it the same as to what I'm posting on those sites. Ok, so next up I will. If you go to my instagram on the right side bar, click on it...there you will be able to see a few of the newest large ones.  Not listed yet! but soon....

Paintings can be purchased from any of these sites or you can email me: elizabethchapmanart@gmail.com

Please visit my website: here

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

More small abstract paintings, "Bliss" by Elizabeth Chapman

Bliss

Acrylic on 8" x 8" canvas

ORIGINAL

SOLD

Available on Etsy: HERE

Beautiful blues and purples with a mix of emeralds, creating a  heavenly delight! I've recently purchased 28 of these small canvases.  So, there will be many more to come for those who might be interested in collecting for a "small painting" wall display.  Each small painting is priced at $85 which includes shipping to anywhere in the continental USA. 

This one along with the newest of my small abstract paintings are also listed on my DPW gallery: HERE.  The Daily Painters Work site is an excellent place to view and purchase small paintings.

...and of course a complete portfolio of all my paintings can always be viewed on my website, where I always list my paintings.

Any of them may be purchased via the various links provided or by emailing me: elizabethchapmanart@gmail.com

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Painting

Blue Abstract Painting "Altruist" Original Art by Elizabeth Chapman

'Altruist'

SOLD

Acrylic on 17"W x 26"H heavy watercolor paper

Ready to frame

This painting is a continuation of finding my way back to painting with joy.  I hate to call it having fun, as that can be equated with not being a professional.   When you paint everyday and many times with the expectations of others the joy of painting can be zapped right out of you. I've had a few breaks were I realized when I was painting that I was having fun...I mean ALOT of fun. 
This is one!


Website: HERE

Email:elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Modern expressionistic abstract "Just For Fun" by Elizabeth Chapman

'Just For Fun'

Acrylic on heavy paper 17"H x 15"W

SOLD

Might say this one came about as a side kick.  I've had several of these that were started, never finished and just laying around.  Yesterday,  morning I was working on a large abstract. In having reached that point where I wasn't sure where to go with it next, decided to let it go.  Instinctively I reached for one of those never resolved paper abstracts.  Funny how it works sometimes, as I was able to paint ever so freely and having so much fun. 

Refreshing.


Please visit my online gallery by clicking HERE to see more of my abstract paintings.

For more information email me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Enjoy!


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

Modern expressionistic blue abstract painting "Pelagic" by Elizabeth Chapman

Pelagic

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

SOLD

To see more of my colorful expressionistic abstract paintings please visit my web gallery: HERE

For more information contact me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

Blue Abstract Commission Painting "Wanderlust" ORIGINAL Contemporary Art by Elizabeth Chapman

Wanderlust
Acrylic on 36" x 36" x 1.5" canvas
Commission
SOLD


Click HERE to see more of Elizabeth Chapman's contemporary abstract paintings. 

To discuss creating a special customized work email me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist
Website

inspiration.

Highlight

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

SOLD!
Thanks Jennifer!

It worked!  The initial spark of this painting came to me while we were driving down the road.  My husband likes to do the driving, not that I'm a bad driver….just the way he is. Men. So, anyway what to do.  Well, for a creative person it's a great time to work on ideas!  I envisioned a landscape composition with a beach in the foreground, bluish purplish mountains and sky.  Not sure that the blue area looks like mountains, but hey maybe it's water.  Now you know the initial inspiration for this painting and the outcome is pretty much true to that idea.  However,  it could have taken a different direction and then I would have had to been willing to let go of that idea.  Either way, that first inclination drove this painting.


More of my abstract paintings can seen in my Web Gallery: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

FAREWELL TO 2013

Wintertide

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

Available from Web Gallery: HERE

Painted back in January of 2013 this one was inspired by  a wintry snowy day in the Midwest.  It's one of the few verticals as I usually feel more comfortable working horizontally.  I would like to stretch myself a bit and work a few more verticals into my inventory.  

As the end of the year and a new year approaches resolutions and goals for 2014 are being made.  I try and keep mine simple as #1 i'll forget and #2 i'm really not a goal setter. Just ask my kids and they will tell you mom's philosophy is "it'll all work out".  However it has been helpful to me go back and study what was produced over this last year in a time of reflecting.

Here are some goals:

*work more specifically with large canvases
*continue experimenting with new developments in style
*phase out of the small abstracts
*take floral abstracts in a new direction
*incorporate figures into abstracts
*draw more

How about yours?!

Cheers to a New Year….

God Bless.

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

BLUE AND WHITE ABSTRACT

Popula

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

ORIGINAL 2103

Ready to hang

SOLD

Popula just recently sold and was flown to Columbia, SA...perhaps a Christmas present?!  Hope it is much loved. Going through the 2013 archives I chose this image for today's post as it reminds me of all the snow and ice we presently have outside here in the Ozarks. bra.. it's cold 17 degrees.  Funny, as I look back on this painting's original blog post I realized it was painted in August and it reminded me of an aerial perspective of a beach and body of water.  Guess it's all in our perception! 

Please visit my Web Gallery to see the available works of art.

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

for you....

Allure

Acrylic on 30"H x 40"W  x 1.5" wrap canvas

Ready to hang

SOLD

Come-hither look... hoping that you will be enticed with the colors in this abstract!  I'm sorry that the textures aren't quite so visible with an online image.  This one also has some wonderful surface textures that are basically built up with layers of paint and an acrylic sand medium I've been playing with.  On the easel today is a warm color palette painting...at least so far!

These abstracts can be viewed and purchased from my web gallery:HERE
or I can be emailed: elizabethchapman@artlover.com


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

summertime blues....

Akin

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

Color palette testing

Testing the colors for a commission painting that was completed recently and posted in the previous post.  Playing around, warming up to the blues I used in "Wanderlust".   Later I came back to this canvas and painted on it, but the color palette of the previous painting was still with me. As these two paintings were completed back to back, there is an overflow of colors and similarities between the two.  

Akin...having the same properties.


Want to see more?! ..... HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

a love for traveling....

Wanderlust

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

Commissioned Painting

Preliminary sketches

This was such a special painting to make as it was created as an anniversary gift for a first year of marriage.  It was unique in that I was contacted by the husband inquiring if I would be interested in creating a work in which I envisioned and was also encouraged to paint freely. Rather than supplying a photo or a another painting of mine to work from, he would rather supply me with a few details and pics about themselves.  Upon reading this initial email I thought to myself..."oh, no way".  Within minutes, though, the artist's imagination went to work and an idea had sprung forth.  It was then that I realized, yes, this is doable and such a wonderful challenge.

And so was born the inspiration for this painting.  The couple in celebrating their anniversary both had a love for the international life, having traveled to four continents and six countries within there first year of marriage.  They had been engaged in London, married in South Africa, lived in China the majority of the time and had a home in San Antonio, where this painting was to be hung.  The only suggestions given were that they both loved colors in the blue range.

I guess you could say that the first strokes of a painting actually begin in my head, rather than on the canvas.  With this one, the first idea was that of rectangular/square shapes linked by lines as land masses.  I tossed many ideas around, but kept coming back to this.  Ready to paint, I was  held up by having to wait for the canvases to be shipped in.  As I waited, I decided to take these ideas to paper which you can see in the above pic.  The bottom left was the favored idea.  A high horizontal with warm colors mixed in to provide contrast plus the idea of sunsets and sunrises all over the world.

I also decided to take the ideas for the color palette to another canvas while I waited....just to see. That will be my next post, as it too became a painting!  The color intensified (surprise, surprise) from the original beginnings, but it laid the foundation for a blue color palette.  Once finished with this painting, I went back to that original canvas and finished it as well, which turned out to be very much akin to this one.

"Wanderlust".... a love for traveling.  The completed image was sent for the client's approval with the reply being exactly what I always love to hear.   "LOVE it!".....actually there was more to it than this, but you get the idea.

Two hearts are hidden within this painting to commemorate it as a first year anniversary.  Click on image zoom...            Can you find them?!

This painting will be exclusive to this couple, never to be reproduced.
(All images on this blog are copyrighted and may not be used without the written permission of the artist Elizabeth Chapman)


Please visit my web gallery to see more contemporary abstracts: HERE


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Painting

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