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Visual Language
contemporary fine art
Elizabeth Chapman
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January 2015 Volume 4 No. 1
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Artist Interview with Elizabeth Chapman
http://melizabethchapman.artspan.com/
http://melizabethchapman.artspan.com/
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Elizabeth Chapman
At what age did you realize you were an artist? As long as I can remember I was creating and making stuff. I was always an artist but did not realize it until I was about 45 and working as a High School art teacher. It was there that I realized I was more of an artist than a teacher. Who or what inspired you to make art in the beginning? My first painting was an oil painting. I remember standing by my mother’s easel working on my own little canvas. She still has that painting. What is your background in art? I consider myself to be self-taught, although I do have a B.S. Art Ed. As a teenager I took watercolor lessons from a professional artist. What role do you feel an artist has in society? I like what Georgia O’Keefe said about why she began those large flowers. She felt a need to help the busy New Yorkers slow down and see the beauty in the flowers, so she painted them big. I guess that is how I see artist as sensitive individuals that are pointing to and expressing the beauty of God’s creation. Creating spaces in time for reflection. Today, who has had the greatest influence on your work? There are so many artists that have influenced me and that I admire. However, I would have to say that it is a local artist, Emily Frost, that has so encouraged me for so many years. I don’t know that the artist within me would have emerged if it weren’t for the nurturing of the seed that she has done. Give us an idea of what type of art materials you use and if you have a favorite color palette. I work as an abstract expressionistic allowing my intuition to direct the decisions that I make concerning any of the elements. The hardest can sometimes be just laying down that first mark. Once done, this will lead to the next idea and so forth. I work with acrylic paints which in the beginning were frustrating to me as my formal training in college was with oils. Acrylics dry much faster than oils and because of this I have taught myself to work fast building layers up to reduce the drying time. Life often gets in the way of creativity; how many hours do you spend creating or making art each week. I spend about 30 hours a week actually painting and probably around 15 hours a week photographing, listing, promoting, etc., In the beginning, I disciplined myself as if it was a regular job 8-5 but as life does get in the way I have learned to be much more flexible. Right Page: Ascend 24” x 30” x 1.5” Canvas
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Gasing Up
Hornet Sunset
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Artist Interview with Elizabeth Chapman
Arioso 30” x 48” x 3/4” Canvas
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Alpa
48” x 48” x 1.5” Canvas
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Artist Interview with Elizabeth Chapman
Verdant 24” x 30” x 1.5” Canvas
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There are many culprits that can crush creativity, such as distractions, self-doubt and fear of failure. What tends to stand in the way of your creativity? All of those. How do you overcome these obstacles? I think it’s important to continue to paint even when you aren’t feeling like it. Many times once you begin then the painting itself will take care of whatever obstacles there were. Much easier said than done. Encouragement from others can go a long ways. What food, drink or song inspires you or gets your creative juices. Music is definitely inspirational to me. It can be what helps to get that brush pushing through the canvas. It can also set the mood for that paintings visual expression. Don’t really snack while painting as I”m a messy painter. Has your art evolved or changed in the past ten years? If so, how? Definitely has change ALOT! Six years ago when I left my job as a high school art teacher to pursue being an artist, I really had nothing as far as paintings go. I began with what I knew and that was painting realistic florals with transparent watercolors. They were very realistic. A change in mediums forced me to begin working much faster in a more abstract fashion. Do you have a favorite piece of art? This is such a difficult question...it’s kinda like your favorite color or food. I feel like my favorites change from day to day, season to season. Much to many favorites! Do you find the artistic life lonely? How do you counteract the solitude? I do find the artistic life to be a lonely life. In a way, this is a good thing because it causes you to be introspective. It is a place of listening, pondering, reflecting and creating. It helps to have this type of time for creating and expressing those thoughts visually. On the other hand, enough can be enough. I love getting out and being around people in different settings, and spending time with friends and family.
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Steadfast 30” x 48” x 1.5” Canvas
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Artist Interview with Elizabeth Chapman
What is the predominant color in your closet? I really can't say...definitely a mixture. What book are you reading this week? This week I've taken an interest in reading Revelation, Genesis, Daniel and the Book of Esther in the Bible. Do you have a favorite television show or movie? I don't watch much television, but do enjoy cooking shows. The Sound of Music will always be an all time favorite. What is your favorite food or what do you snack on while you are working? I'm a messy painter, no snacks while painting. What colors are the towels in your bathroom? Well they use to be gold and a rich brown...but they’re quite faded now. Browns. What is your favorite color? Changes with the seasons! What color do you avoid? Personally, will stay away from orange as I was trying something on in a store one time, looked in the mirror and thought I looked like a pumpkin. I don't have a problem painting with it. What are you most proud of in your life? That would be my family. I am very thankful for them. What has been your most embarrassing moment? There's probably been many, but those that happen to you when you’re so young seem to stick the best. The one I'm thinking of now was when I was in the first grade. It was a small class and we each had an easel for painting. One day I was standing at mine and I guess I must have gotten so into it...suddenly I realized their was a puddle on the floor. Fortunately, I had a sensitive teacher that took care of the situation without bringing attention to it.
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Dreamboat 24” x 30” x 1.5” Canvas
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Wed 36" x 48" Canvas http://melizabethchapman.artspan.com/
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Artist Interview with Elizabeth Chapman
What jobs have you done other than being an artist? I was a stay at home mom to three children and a High School Art teacher. All other jobs were for short periods of time. Do you have a passion or hobby other than painting? My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was in the 6th grade. I loved fabric stores for all the colors and making my own clothes. I still find sewing to be relaxing. I also love cooking and gardening. Love playing with our grand daughter and not a hobby, but enjoy walking. Who would you love to portray in Mixed Media or in paint? I would probably answer that us our grand daughter. Not that it would be realistic, but it would show all the joy that there is in those child like qualities that we tend to lose as we settle into the rules of life. If you were an animal what would you be and why? I've always loved watching the hippos at the zoo, probably because I love the water. As a kid, I lived in Venezuela where the weather permitted swimming all year long. My family teased me that I was going to turn into a fish. Another animal would be a dog, as we have two that are very well taken care of. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live? I don't know why, but I've always thought the Mediterranean area. Share something with us that few people know about you. Well. I can tell when i'm getting into a painting, as i've got this thing about having to kick my shoes off. I guess it's a feeling of not being restrained. I also love to dance while painting, but never do that with an audience. Name something you love and why. I love spending time with our grand daughter. It is such a joy and it is my hope that we will have had a positive influence in her life. What is one thing you would like to be remembered for? Kindness.
Right Page: Seraphic 36� x 48� x 1.5� Canvas
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Go Shawk
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Artist Interview with Elizabeth Chapman
Consider 30" x 60" x 1.5" Canvas
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http://melizabethchapman.artspan.com/
melizabethchapman.artspan.com