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.

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....

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.

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.

Snap the Photo Already

There are so many names for this one, 6 x 6, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver

 

 My friend Lynette and her husband went to Kenya in September. She shared a fabulous photo with me. In it, there were two birds called Amboseli Superb Starlings. I flipped over it. They looked so dyspeptic or impatient or grumpy. 

 

I'm in love. 

I have painted each one of them on 6 x 6 collaged, cradled wooden panels, and I've painted them together on 11 x 14 linen with acrylic. I'll be sharing the other paintings in the next couple of days.

Help me name these guys: Take a Picture It'll Last Longer, Snap the Photo Already--can you think of any others to help me out?

Beach Bum

Beach Bum, 6 x 6, collage/acrylic, Elizabeth W. Seaver

Beach Bum is not perhaps the most appropriate name for this strangely elegant bird. But if you look closely in the collage, you can see that there is a map fragment of the coast of Texas--Galveston, to be exact--the place I grew up calling beach. Moody Gardens is visible along the curve of its neck. That is where I have seen flamingos close up. Amazing, prehistoric-looking creatures.

I will be entering Beach Bum in LibertyTown's 6 x 6 show next month. If you are in the area, stop by to see the show in the main gallery. It opens First Friday, November 1.

Abner

Suddenly Abner Was Quite Popular, 4 x 4, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver

We see Abner just before his life changes forever.

I leave you with just one question: How many licks does it take to get to the chocolaty center of a Tootsie Pop?

Okay, maybe two: What is your favorite flavor?

Didn't Mean to be Gone So Long!

Going Courting, 11 x 14, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver

I just finished this for my buddy, Tim, who makes beautiful things out of wood. This is his trade for letting me take one of his mixed wood lidded boxes home for my husband for Christmas. As it happens, Tim owns and rides some very early Ordinary Bicycles, so my birds on bikes caught his eye when he first moved into the studio next door to me. I knew exactly what to paint for him as payment (one of the great perks of being an artist is trading work, in my opinion.) 

He's promised to bring one of his bikes in for me to see. He has one from 1885 and one from 1889--amazing! If he does it, and I remember that I said this, I'll get some photos and post them here. 

People's Choice Winner

Outstanding in His Field, acrylic, 24 x 48

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Very fun that this piece won first place on Second Saturday at The Workhouse in our February Workhouse Associate Artists exhibit. He looks inscrutable--in a farmer in the dell sort of way.

 

One lady said he was really impressive, but she wasn't sure she'd want him looking at her from the wall of her living room. I guess the bedroom's out, too.

She made me laugh! I don't really think of ostriches as the warm and fuzzy type, so that's okay.

Bitsy Picks Her Own

Bitsy Picks Her Own, acrylic/collage, 16 x 20

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Bitsy is entertaining tonight. She uses only fresh local produce for her soirées, and everyone knows that the freshest produce is the stuff you pick yourself.

 

I didn't get an invite. Did you?

Gerald

Gerald, on a Busman's Holiday

collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

It seems silly for Gerald to spend his day off fishing from a rock when he supports his family diving for fish six days a week. But all week long he flies over people casting their lines into the water, pulling out fat fish. At first, they stand still for a very long time, then with no warning, go into action--sort of like watching golf or baseball. After an epic struggle, a fish emerges from the water. He loves to watch the successful warrior do his/her victory dance. 

His wife, Georgiana, knew he wanted fishing gear and had gotten it for him last Christmas. Oh, you didn't know gulls celebrated Christmas? Where did you think all those trees on the beach came from?

Party Animal, Too

Party Animal, Too, collage/acrylc, 16 x 20

Elizabeth W. Seaver
sold

Happy New Year, everyone.

Have fun, but be careful. I'll see you all in 2013!

River Song 26/30

River Song, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver
Sold

For my favorite singer/songwriter whose creativity flows from a river into which I will never step. Keep making your music.

Polo Anyone? 24/30

Polo Anyone? collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

sold

Even with a special mallet, how long would a bird's wings have to be to reach a ball from the back of a horse? Really long. A bicycle is the only answer. In fact, bicycle is the answer to many questions about birds if you only think about it. And I have thought about it--a lot!

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Please join us on Saturday from 10-5 at LibertyTown Arts Workshop for our Holiday Open House. Many artists will be in their studios to help you find just the right hand crafted thing for Aunt Mabel or little Sam. Perhaps a gift certificate?? Come by to shop, talk, drink apple cider and eat cookies with us on Saturday.

Oops! 22/30

Oops!, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6, Elizabeth W. Seaver

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There comes a time in most parties when a little too much fun flies around the place. This time, poor Rachel got in its way. No one meant for her to wear a cupcake, but it happened, and once the shock wore off, everyone sped away laughing, leaving Rachel with icing dripping down her forehead.

How do you handle such a socially embarrassing moment? Do you stomp your prehistoric dinosaur feet and flounce home in a storm of plumage? Do you laugh with everyone else and find a sink to stick your head in? Or do you act cool and nonchalantly eat the cupcake off of your own head, acting like that's what you meant to happen?

Rachel is captured on the horns of a dilemma.

Off to Practice 20/30

Off to Practice, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

sold

I know, I know, "We're only on number 20?" Imagine how I felt painting them!

In lieu of a story for my painting today, I will treat you all to my favorite Christmas song ever. Enjoy!

Little Seed Eater

WIP, Little Seed Eater, acrylic/collage, 36 x 24, by Elizabeth Seaver

I began this painting last week from a photo taken in my friend Aline's wonderful garden.  She snapped several pictures of this gold finch harvesting sunflower seeds last summer.  I have been meaning to paint them ever since, but it wasn't until the icy winter that I found the time to paint the warm weather subject. 

It helps me remember that summer will return.

When I have icicles hanging off my nose. 

(A bit of an ungrateful exaggeration since we've had weather that got all the way to 60 several days in a row--hallelujah!)

The collage underpainting will be slowly covered, disguised and/or muted by the layers of acrylic paint.  This was just the progress of a couple of day's work.

I wanted to say welcome to my new followers and thanks to all of you for your wonderful comments on my January posts.  You are appreciated.

Coffee Break

 Coffee Break, acrylic/collage, 18 x 24

Birds take them, too, you know.  They might even smoke, although these didn't seem inclined to do so while I was painting.  It's in their contract that they get to take time off from singing songs, digging for bugs and hopping charmingly from branch to branch.  Being charming eight hours a day is exhausting.

Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink, 4 x 4, collage and acrylic

This one might be fun really huge.

I'm looking forward to another day communing with torn pieces of paper and kooky birds.

See you when I surface!