minis are back.

03-30-14

Acrylic on 4" x 6" heavy paper.

Mini Abstract

A good time to begin posting my new mini abstract series.  There are thirteen of them so far.  For the most part they were painted in pairs and so would complement being hung next to each other.  Of course, I wouldn't stop anyone from purchasing the whole collection for a wall display!  Hard to believe, but these little ones can be just as difficult and time consuming as a large abstract. I'm pricing them at $50…fair price as they would need to be matted/framed.  The title will be a date.

I haven't got it all worked out yet, but would eventually like to offer them matted and ready to pop into any standard 8" x 10" frame.  Also, would like the title written in pencil on the bottom left and artist's name on the right. (top example)  With this first batch of thirteen only the first two are like this.  So, for now they are being sold without matts to keep them consistent. The first two could always have this bottom edge covered with a matt in order to match the rest of them.  Here is what I need to work out:

1.  By taping off the extra space when I begin for title/name I am determining which way the piece will be displayed before it's painted.  Not good for me as many times I find a stronger side when rotating the image.

2.  This could be resolved by having paper edges that go all the way around the painting and are visible  through the matt.

3. Or, perhaps I should scratch the whole paper edge thing and have them matted up to the painting's edge and initialed them MEC just like I do my large abstracts.  

Available from the new mini abstract category: HERE

If you've read about the matt here on my blog and like it…let me know and will ship this painting out with the matt.

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

in the studio today.

Bon Vivant

Acrylic on 36" x 48" canvas

SOLD

It's a large figurative abstract painting that is presently on the easel.  I was working here from an old black and white photograph, instagrammed: here.  I was attracted to the setting of a group of people dining and enjoying each other's company.  Included in the photograph was my grandfather from Venezuela, Rafael Vegas (another link:here) and great grandmother  Falligan (didn't know her first name). My grandmother Simone Falligan, who would later marry Rafael is taking the picture. The photograph was taken in France…thus the title "Bon Vivant"--- enjoying good food and drink.

What else is going on in the studio today?  well, I am moving….

for the last five years, all abstract paintings where produced in this upstairs/bedroom studio.  As you can see…a small space.  This side of the room is my office and in the closet is my paint cart with supplies needed for packaging kept on the top shelf of the closet.   The cart was purchased a few years ago as way to keep all my paints safely put up from and locked away from an active toddler grand daughter.  She was the reason that I moved up to this room in order that her parents and her could have their own space.  The table that you see in front of the bookshelf is also used for painting. (didn't realize her rocket ship was left laying there)  It is much like an extension of my easel.  When I really become involved with a painting, the canvas will often end up on this table where I can turn it and work from all sides.  This is when my pug Gigi will take off running, as she hates the sound of it.

As Penny has grown up, I've been able to move all those jars of paint back on the table, where they are lined up warm to cool colors. This has been so very helpful, as I paint intuitively and need to be able to grab the next jar of color that comes to my mind without having to dig in the cart. Here you can see the latest painting on the easel. The one on the other easel that  is turned is the completed "Sponta" (last blog post).  I have it turned so as to not have those colors influence the painting I'm working on. On that back wall is where I have hung paintings that were too big for the easel. Lots of paint on that wall! The little bitty painting is Penny's!  Under the table is a storage bin that my husband built for me.  It stores all of my completed paintings on paper. The short table by the door is Penny's play dough/studio table. I have been instructed  that I must make sure and move it too!

The packing it up process has begun and will probably take a few weeks to complete. Moving upstairs was not something that I wanted to do.  I had grown attached to my studio downstairs, but it was all being done for the right reason.  I am thankful for a gift that I can use in order to have my own business and spend time with what I love best…family.  Don't get me wrong..I LOVE creating painting beautiful abstract paintings, but  keeping priorities priority is more important. This room was covered with a drop cloth canvas in order to protect the carpet.  That will be removed as the room is painted and restored into a bedroom.  These small footprints of Penny (around 1 year old) were a mother/daughter project which will be cut out and saved.  Thinking, I will quilt and frame them.  Along with this will be many photos found while packing, of this time in her life that will be put together in a scrapbook.  Perhaps, Aunt Elsie would help?

I suppose to someone who paints with so much emotion as I do,  it should come as no surprise that I should become SO attached to a studio.  Visualizing the new space, making plans, moving stuff and writing this post are all a part of saying my farewells and helping the process.  I am now looking forward to the new studio! yay!!  It won't be a lot, a lot bigger but it will be more space with much better lighting.  And yes,  I will share pics of the new studio!  For those working out of a small studio or those of you who are not working because you don't feel as if you have enough space, I will leave you with this, Leonardo da Vinci once said, "An artist's studio should be a small space because small rooms discipline the mind and large ones distract it."

So there you go…

To see all the abstract paintings that have been produced from this studio, visit my gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

abstract expressionism...intuitive and spontaneous.

Sponta

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

SOLD

Just added this one to my web gallery store and have gone through and added all the PayPal buttons back, so that buyers who are ready and prefer making a direct purchase are able to quickly do so.  Whether or not to list your prices on line has always been a dilemma among artist for various reasons.  One being that prices can vary from an artist's asking price depending on the sites that you list on and commission fees that can range anywhere from 5% percent to 50%.  There is also more flexibility when working with multiple purchases, repeat buyers, shipping, etc.,  In the end, decided to go back with listing the prices for all my paintings. I do always, love hearing from those who would rather email me for more information before making a decision on a purchase.  This type of interaction can only happen when your working independently as your own promoter.  I have tended to stay away from any sites that require exclusiveness, as it ties up those paintings and they then can only be sold by that particular gallery. However, I recently decided to work with another gallery offering three paintings to be exclusively sold by Davis&Co,  in Houston, Texas.  Selling your own work is an art in itself with similarities much  like the creative process. You's got to be willing to try new ways, change it up and most of all believe.

Linked it above, but again... available paintings can be viewed and purchased: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman

Contemporary Abstract Artist

climb every mountain.

Alpa
Acrylic on 48" x 48" x 1.5" wrap canvas
Available


I was having lunch with a couple of friends of mine last week when the title for this painting came to me.  I work intuitively and began this one with purple. Why purple? Well, it was the first color that came to my mind as I began. That led to the next color(s)/idea(s) and from their the painting began to emerge.  I'll have to admit working with the purples and green felt a bit unusual for me and really wasn't all that sure about it.  But, I do feel it is important to allow and follow each paintings flow and uniqueness. So, what does lunch have to do with this?

My friend Emily had taken off on a trail and is talking about a trip to Peru.  She is describing how BEAUTIFUL the Andes Mountains that run through Peru are with all the purples and greens.  I'm visualizing this scene that she is describing when instantly this painting that I had been working comes to my mind.  I interrupt (artist friends are use to these interruptions in conversations with each other as ideas are being tossed around) to show her a picture from that mornings painting on instagram. Which then leads us into a conversation about instagram…see how artist's converse with each other! It's like talking in circles, but amazingly much is accomplished.

Longstory short, later I googled for information and images of the Peruvian Andes Mountains and saw those colors that she was talking about. I then began seeing this painting in a different light and imagining. It is now hanging on one side of our living room wall, against a cafe colored wall.  Very striking and enjoying it much, well until one day.  The title comes from Alpamayo one of the highest peaks in the chain close to the Alpamuyu river. Can't be afraid of pink either for this one!


Want to see more of my contemporary abstracts? go here    For more information, email me: elizabethchapman@artlover.com

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

full of life.

"Alacrity"

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


SO rarely, but oh so sweet.  This one sold fresh off the easel and while the paint was literally still wet! I had just taken it off the easel to be photographed outside along with another painting.  Posted it on instragram, where it was seen by the buyer of "Highlight" , who then contacted me as a possible interest to her sister.  So, two of my paintings going to another pair of sisters! "Sisterlyties" was the last one. How is that for Sister Style? …loved this particular blog post written by my daughter's Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess.  They also read my blog. And YES girls..I would prefer the blended version for the Coconut Toasted Margarita!  You'ld have to watch towards the end of this You Tube video to catch the question. Ok, so that was off the track.

No, I never drink while painting. I know it may look that way. Totally me. I can be deeply inspired by music. With this painting, I was listening to an instrumental artist named Yanni--If I Could Tell You-- that I found while reading the January issue of Visual Language Magazine.  Painting for me is much like an adventure, not really knowing where it will lead with each discovery leading to the next.  Purely intuitive.  This painting was so that way as I followed the flow enjoying the process of creating.  As I paint, my thoughts can be far removed from the actual painting process. Kinda like putting it on autopilot. In this case there was a lot of thankfulness and praise to God.


"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 find your expressionistic abstract painting please visit my online gallery: HERE
you can also sign up for my "new works notification" HERE where I list new paintings on a weekly basis.

Much thanks to Jennifer and Joan!


Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist

ABSTRACT PAINTING "FUSION"

Fusion

Acrylic on 36"H x 48" x 3/4" wrap canvas
(click on image for close up)

Available

Layers upon layers upon layers would describe how this painting came together. The darkest darks are  Golden's dioxazine purple.  I haven't done this in a while, but absolutely love mixing this purple with yellow to get those rich browns. Reminds me of coffee! Variations of the brown are created by adjusting the amount of yellow and white added for lightness.  Usually, I will work with a color palette like this more along the time Fall is approaching…not the beginning of Spring.  Maybe, just maybe someone has been waiting for this one…could that be you?


Many, many more abstracts can be seen in my online gallery: HERE

Elizabeth Chapman
Contemporary Abstract Artist