 |
| Traverse, 36" x 36" |
"Also, I believe that in selling my work a part of the price is offering quality materials to clients." ~Elizabeth Chapman
Missouri artist, Elizabeth Chapman, says it well when she explains how the quality of her materials makes a difference in what she feels she is offering the buyer. The longevity of the piece is just as important as its aesthetic. The canvas cannot warp and the paint needs to hold up to light, temperature and air pollution. Although the brushes an artist uses are not going to be part of the final piece (unless they shed), one's brushes make a difference in how the paint lays on the canvas or panel, how the paint moves and how the details are defined. The brushes help the artist achieve that final piece and build the reputation behind it.
 |
| New Dawn, 40" x 30" |
Sometimes, though, the brushes that are the most used and loved become the best tools. For Elizabeth, this rings true. Some of her favorite brushes have been around the studio for years, and others are only used to sign her name or work just with her delicate watercolor pieces. Since she primarily works in acrylics, and paints abstractly, Elizabeth relies not only on brushes, but also her inventory of tools for working paint on the canvas. "I have found that rollers can be used to create various textures, as well as sponges, rags, hair combs, your hands, etc. . . so much can be found around the house and any hardware store," she explains.
 |
| Juxtapoz, 30" x 40" |
Elizabeth Chapman came to her current style in abstract expressionism gradually as she felt her way through painting florals to painting alongside music. Once she left her work as an art teacher and decided to pursue being an artist full time, she dedicated the hours and effort to her painting as she did her 8:00 am- 3:00 pm teaching position. In starting out, Elizabeth decided to pursue what she knew, what she saw others doing successfully, selling florals online. Finding that the effort and money to frame and care for finished watercolors was too much, Elizabeth began to pursue more abstract pieces. With encouragement from her husband and other artists, Elizabeth picked up the acrylics and intuitively began her abstract career. "One morning, I walked into my studio and pulled out every canvas that I had previously purchased. I proceeded to lay these on the tables that I had wrapping around the studio. Next, I pulled out the dreaded acrylics and turned on some music. What occurred next was a total surprise to me. I painted to the music, intuitively and a painting appeared," she shares. This was the beginning of her style, coming about with thoughts as to both the best use of her materials and the belief in herself as an artist. Her path took shape as she followed her intuition in her career moves and in the studio.
 |
| Poise, 36" x 24" |
Elizabeth gives hopeful advice to artists starting out. "With their being so much out, there is a tendency to try to be someone else, especially when your starting out. And this isn't always such a bad thing, as much is self-taught. But, we are each created uniquely and therefore our visual expressions will be strongest when we give ourselves permission to be ourselves....if we will only believe in ourselves."
Keep Painting,
Karyn
Comments
Post a Comment