Interview

I have been invited to exhibit my work next month at The Fine Arts Company in Hagerstown, Maryland. The kind folks there made up interesting interview questions for a post on their blog, and I was a good girl and answered them all. Sit down with a hot cuppa something-you-like and click this link: Interview with Elizabeth Seaver.

Of course, if you happen to be in the area, come meet the artist the second Saturday in January, the 10th, from 6-8. Company....I want company! The show will be a mixture of cats and birds, bright and cheerful, no matter the weather and guaranteed to keep you awake!

Here are a few of the likely suspects to be on display:

No Fly Zone2, 18 x 36, collage/acrylic

While You're Away, 36 x 48, acrylic and paper

His Friends Were Orchids, 24 x 36, acrylic and paper

I'm So Fine, 24 x 36, acrylic and paper

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa. May you enjoy the gifts of the season.

I've Been Away Awhile

Nero Fiddled, 16 x 20, Commissioned Work

Elizabeth W. Seaver

sold

 

Not literally away, but away from writing and posting on my blog. You may imagine me, paint-stained and wild-haired, industriously stacking the canvases against the wall, hoping to have enough work to fill the amazing Bistro Bethem. 

 

The real kicker, as you painters know, is to have work you are proud of and what looks to be a body of work when it all goes on the wall. Interestingly, though my work will have been created within about a six month period, it changes as I go along. Earlier paintings don't fit as well with the later works as I would like. Which leads to fiddling.

 

Anybody else have that problem? I can't leave them alone. I have already painted over two of my earlier works and while the consensus on one is that it is a good thing, the jury is still out as to whether the latest painting on top of the second is better that the original one.

A wise teacher once said to me, "Put down the paintbrush and back away from the canvas." 

I hear her voice in my head, but just like that petulant child who wants what she wants enough to try throwing a tantrum to get it, I keep painting anyway. Sometimes.

But when one has the inspiration of the real Nero the Cat, well, one is careful to stop in time.

Just Finished

Ballet on the Beach, 24 x 24, acrylic and collage

Elizabeth W. Seaver
Sold

Who says swimwear is required at the beach? Katerina dances to the beat of a different drummer.

Ah, sand, warm breezes and cool ocean. It's hard not to feel we deserve it after such a tough winter, right?

Blessings and happy creating to you all.

Team Manager

Team Manager, acrylic/collage, 16 x 20

Elizabeth W. Seaver

The Team Manager currently oversees the selection of paintings I've chosen for May's First Friday at Water Street as a preview of my big upcoming show in downtown Fredericksburg in August and September.....because every endeavor needs a bosserhead (a term my elder son coined when just a toddler to describe those people in his life who irritated him with all their directives.) It was usually said under his breath, and sometimes he would spell it in the air in the offensive one's general direction.

The show opens on May 2 and First Friday runs, well, really all day from 10-9, but the snacks and beverage come out about 5. Hope you can join us. The cats are on the wall already, so come on by beforehand if you can. They'll be up all month. I also have about ten new paintings at LibertyTown. I've been a busy girl!

Using Protection

Using Protection, 22 x 28, acrylic and collage

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Distracted

Distracted, 22 x 28, acrylic/collage

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Personal electronic devices. 

 

It's pretty bad if a cool customer isn't even tempted by the birds on the beach....

Go Wilbur!

Wilbur, 18 x 24 x 7, sculpture by Tex Forrest

painting by Elizabeth W. Seaver

Wilbur got accepted into a show at Artful Dimensions for the month of April. He rode his green trike to victory, winning an honorable mention and people's choice awards. 

Go Wilbur!

Always in Trouble

Hi Jinx, 16 x 20, acrylic/collage

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Jinx, an energetic, fun-loving cat, volunteered to help with the baking.

Good kitty.

Two Friends, Hanging Out

Hanging Out, 6 x 6, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

Listening to music, sipping soda, snacking on popcorn and talking about this and that.

Friends, hanging out.

Tough Cat

Toughie, 8 x 8, acrylic and collage

Elizabeth W. Seaver

You can tell by the earring.

Do You Like My Hat?

Do You Like My Hat? acrylic/collage, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

This guy needs to get another photographer!

My title refers to the PD Eastman book Go Dog Go. My nephew, when he was MUCH smaller, loved that book. His favorite line was, "I do not." He said it, "I DO not." We laughed and laughed--one of many memories of the time we lived very close together. Not like now when we (and his brother, sister and parents) live on different continents.

Sigh.

Spring?

Zinnia's Next, 18 x 24, acrylic and collage,

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Where are you, Spring?

Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossom Festival, acrylic/collage, 18 x 36

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Because It's Almost Spring

 Drawing Inside Cat, 22 x 8, Elizabeth W. Seaver

First Stage of painting--notice the editing I did. When I realized I wanted to use a very detailed looking paper, I took out the mouse balanced on the cat's tail

Finished. It looks a little wonky because my photo is not the final one. Parallax will get you every time!

So, this one is named Inside Cat, it is acrylic and collage. It is a bit of a companion piece to Come Here Often?

Some Cats Like Water

8 x 8, acrylic/collage, Elizabeth W. Seaver

Come Here Often?

Come Here Often? collage/acrylic, 22 x 28

Elizabeth W. Seaver

This is the finished cat from two posts ago.

I'm working on a companion piece. I may rename them Outside Cat and Inside Cat. 

It's a blast.

And Another Thing!

And Another Thing! collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

Thought you all might like a little rest from the cats. I started this in October, but finished it this month.

 More cats tomorrow!

Progress

Here is the original image I showed a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I have changed my direction with this piece. Here's how it started:

My plan was to stamp my block prints in the back ground, so I'd masked the cat figure in preparation. Here's what I decided to do instead:

I can see that available light and my fiddling with color balance gave several different impressions of color. It is meant to be salmon.

As I keep working, I will post more images and try to capture the color more carefully.

I purchased beautiful papers which I am finally pulling out to use in this series of paintings. I like the formality of the handmade, screen printed paper with the whimsy of my cat.

Stay tuned!

A Sunny Spot

A Sunny Spot, acrylic/collage, 8 x 10

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

In honor of a few warmer days. Here's to more of them, and to the watering of the daffodils by the melting of the snow.

Mardi Gras Harold

Mardi Gras Harold, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Harold actually behaved himself with decorum at Mardi Gras. He's always this color.

Cardinal for Dinner, Again?

Cardinal for Dinner, Again?, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

I know. 

 

It's not funny. 

 

Maybe just a little?

It's My Party

It's My Party, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Daydreaming

Daydreaming, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

About flocks of birds and schools of fish, no doubt.

Need Title Help Here

Pink Cat with Flowers, 6 x 6, acrylic on wood panel,

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

Anybody got any ideas for naming this piece? 

I Hate Mondays

Especially when it snows! Here's another kitty picture.

I Hate Mondays, collage/acrylic on wood panel, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Planning on getting more painting done while the white stuff falls.

On the Easel

Cat Painting, untitled

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Perhaps the beginning of a new series? 

 

You'll be the first to know.

Magic Flute, New

Magic Flute, 24 x 24, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Latest work, hot off the easel.

Kids' Classes and Valentine's Treats

 We had a blast last week making stuff at Water Street Studio.

Fun with Fun Foam

Has a new love knocked your heart sideways?

Looks like a mighty wind blew through my studio and knocked my new cards sideways.

I am ready for the in like a lion out like a lamb winds of spring, hence the tulips. Note the printmaking block I made out of corrugated cardboard and fun foam.

Just in case the weather gods didn't get the hint....knock it off, already, and send the tulips.

Through My Window

one twiggy icicle

a slender naked branch

winter blossom dying

as it is born

in the cradle of the sun

Poem and photo by Elizabeth W. Seaver

Life Gave Her Feathers (#3)

Life Gave Her Feathers, 8 x 10, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

This painting I created for the commissioner herself, who is a fabulous weaver. She is also one of few I know who could bring the feather boa from obscurity into stylish daily wear.

I appreciate her support of my little corner of the art world with her confidence in my ability to make something she would be pleased to give as gifts.

Thank you, Fran.

In Her Element (Commission #2)

In Her Element, 8 x 10, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

This for the commissioner's grand-daughter, a swimmer and singer.

(Though I am absolutely sure she would never compete in a flowered bathing cap.)

The Best Kind of Commission #1

The Winning Goal, 8 x 10, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Commission #1
sold

The best kind of commission is given by someone who says: "I don't want to tell you too many details. I like your paintings and want you to do whatever you're going to do. I just want it to be about soccer, and it's for my grandson."

And then, she cries happy tears when she sees the three paintings she's asked for. 

There's nothing sweeter.