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.

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....

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!

Ornaments

For several years I've painted small pieces of slate which come from the portion of roof demolished when our church went through its most recent renovation. I've pictured six of them here that I turned into ornaments, though in the past I have made pins and wall plaques as well.

My favorite subjects are snowpeople doing various things like fishing, singing, skiing and kayaking. Or it will surprise you--birds. But this year I've added cats. The one in the top picture was my favorite--and it sold this morning to people I know and like and have lots of cats, so it's okay. And those of you who know me, know I am not usually sentimental about my work.

But.....I miss that kitty.

Anybody Else Feel a Draft?

Anybody Else Feel a Draft? collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Couldn't help myself. The name just floated out of the air to me.

These two (yesterday's posted painting and today's) will hang side by side at LibertyTown Arts Workshop in Small Works, artworks on a small scale by the Ltown artists.

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?

No Fly Zone

No Fly Zone, 4 x 12, acrylic, Elizabeth W. Seaver

I think this one speaks for itself.

* * * *

If you cannot tell, let me say "out loud" that I am having a great time in my studio.

Friends are dropping in to visit and work, the sun has been shining in my window, warming my back as I paint, and my birdie friends are visiting long enough to be captured on canvas.

Life is good.

* * * *

Tonight: Looking forward to hearing Steve Watkins read from his new book, JUVIE, out this month from Candlewick Press. Happening at our new place, Water Street Studio in downtown Fred. Come on by if you're in the area.

Camilla Hates to Fly

Camilla Hates to Fly, 5 x 7, acrylic, Elizabeth W. Seaver

"I won't spend another winter, freezing my tailfeathers off in that strange excuse for a lake in Central Park shopping hell," Camilla muttered to herself as she leaned into the October wind. "Just because I'm afraid of heights...I don't have to miss out on winter in Mexico."

Her breath came in short gasps, and her legs, previously only used to scuttle across Central Park Blvd. to worry the patio diners at Chipotle as she scarfed the chips they dropped, ached with a burning sort of throb.

"What is it with Amtrak that they won't sell a ticket to me, a respectable goose? Next spring, I'm getting into it with Julie!"

Musing on Stolen Art

Next Year, Florida, 4 x 12, acrylic on canvas

Elizabeth W. Seaver

In the past, I've had a few pieces of artwork disappear off of my work table here and there--pins drying, cards drying--little things, easy to palm, slip into a pocket or under a shirt. I've always thought of it as the price of doing business, especially in a large arts workshop with open studios and wandering visitors. That's how we get folks to look at our work and meet us. We work out in the open and make ourselves available for comments and questions and just plain conversation. I love it.

But yesterday, I went to check my showing space and found four empty nails on my wall. I did not jump right to the happy conclusion that all four paintings had sold. Why is that? After all, they're pretty cute, if I do say so myself. They make people smile, and most of their brothers and sisters from a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge have sold already.

But my stomach got that funny feeling--something wasn't right. For one thing, if I had sold four paintings at once, my behind-the-counter-buddies would have been as happy as I, and before the Square screen was dark, they'd have been on the phone to me.

So--the paintings are gone. And my friends and I all have guesses about what general category of folk have the stones (and the backpacks) to carry away four original artworks measuring just about the size of a box of granola bars.

But, here's the thing I wanted to share: I am hurt and sad and angry. I'm not flattered. In fact, I'm not sure those paintings were even wanted--I expect they were just the object of a momentary thrill.

Those of you in creative pursuits know exactly how much time, effort, money and love goes into doing what you do. And never with enough compensation. I feel assaulted by this event. But, I am trying not to let it weigh too heavily on my spirit. Time will help. And painting.

I got up and painted at 3:30 this morning. Because I will not let the bad guys win.

Thanks for listening.

We Have a Winner!

Do Tell!, collage/acrylic, 24 x 24, Elizabeth W. Seaver

The winner of my card give-away and the one who named my painting is Dorothy. Thank you all for giving such cute suggestions. I liked that one of hers because it hinted at the relationship between the bird and the caterpillar/worm/ space snake.

Dorothy, if you will send me an email through my website and give me your address, I will mail you your prize.

Watch for new work in the next couple of days. I've been busy!

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?

Uphill Climb 29/30

Uphill Climb, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

This was by far the dumbest scheme ever, Polly thought to herself as she pedalled at a snail's pace towards the rocky crest with the mountain biking club. Well, she was technically behind the mountain biking club rather than with them--way behind. I mean, in order to meet people, you actually had to talk to them, right? So far, when they'd stopped for breaks, she'd sweated, gulped, panted, tried to look nonchalant, chugged water and limped around trying to ease her charley-horsed muscles, but she'd not met one person or been capable of saying a single coherent word.

 

Back again in the saddle, which she noted was getting mighty sore, she began to be afraid that it was possible to pedal so slowly as to roll backwards down the mountain. She distracted herself by recounting all her efforts to make friends since she moved to California: a sky-diving fashion show (the heels were a daring choice of footwear, but hadn't actually been a great idea on the landing), extreme beach bathing (you haven't lived until you've gotten raging sunburn wearing a thong--for a time, she achieved a certain notoriety as That Thong Girl, but she hadn't actually made a single friend for her pains,) then there was the Saturday she went skating at Venice Beach. She felt grateful that her scabs had finally gone away, even though her technician winced when Polly went to have her legs waxed.

She looked up to see whether the top of the hill was any closer and blinked. Was someone actually waiting for her up there? And could it be the best looking biker in the bunch...ho, boy, was he adorable! She forgot her aching legs and burned out lungs, her dry mouth and her empty, complaining stomach, sat up straighter and accelerated to caterpillar pace to meet him.

When she got there, he said....."

Present 25/30

Present, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6, Elizabeth W. Seaver
Sold

Finally, on the third morning of shopping for it, Isadora found the perfect present for her friend Pilar for her birthday. It wasn't just an ordinary birthday present, one that would be played with a little while and then break or sit high on a shelf, forgotten. It was special. Isadora wanted it to say to Pilar what Isadora could not say out loud. She wanted the present to say thank you for hugging her when her kitty died and what fun they had when Pilar threw the surprise party for her and for the worm bisque Pilar made when Isadora got sick that time. It was hard to find a small token which expressed all those things and fit into a box, but she did! She wrapped it in paper and ribbon as beautiful as Pilar.

Crumbs were all that remained of the corn meal cake, and Pilar opened her gifts. The stack of gifts dwindled until one lovely pink box was left. Isadora sat breathlessly on her chair, hoping that when Pilar opened her gift, she would know all the warm feelings in Isadora's heart.

Pilar slowly untied the ribbon and draped it over her neck. She carefully pulled the tape off and placed the wrapping on a stack of paper to be reused throughout the year. "OH!" Pilar gasped when she finally removed the lid of the box and looked inside.

What was in the box? You tell me.

Pajama Day 23/30

Pajama Day, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

Marvin refused to wear regular clothes. They poked and pulled on his softest places, and he loved being comfortable above all things. He was a busy boy, and he didn't have time for the distraction of a pinchy waistband. Luckily, he'd been able to sneak away from the house before his mother saw him this morning and made him change his clothes. He kept to the wooded paths where he had the best chance of escaping unnoticed. Then nosy neighbors might not see him as they flew over and call his mom to tattle on him.

His favorite pair of pajamas zipped up the front. Best of all, they had the feet in them. Then, no bother of crouching down, getting red in the face while he tried to remember how to tie his tennis shoes. "Rabbit ears in the hole...pah!" He was too busy to learn that--besides if he had his way, shoes would soon be completely unnecessary. Marvin was currently designing a whole line of pajama-inspired outerwear.  He'd set aside this morning's ride to brainstorm baseball pajamas with cleats on the bottom.

"At the very least, there should be no tie shoes in the world, only slip-on ones." Marvin dreamed. "Flip-flops. I wish I could meet the person who invented flip-flops. What a genius!"

On Line Chat Room 21/30

On Line Chat Room, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver

It was the best job ever. Floyd and Fred and Erma and Amy sat every Monday morning on the Boynton's clothesline, making sure the Boyntons' Saturday night, whoop-dee-do, go-to-town, hoe-down clothes dried nicely, all ready for the following weekend. Mrs. Boynton paid them in as much birdseed as they could carry away in their plump, late summer bellies.

Now, Sunday night is the birds' whoop-dee-do, go-to-town hoe-down, so every Monday morning, there was plenty of fodder for the rumor mill. The latest was that Alfred Jay made a terrible fool of himself over Miriam Cardinal, and her a married woman. Tinker Jay let Alfred know just how far off base he was in the Peck-n-Paw parking lot. And then, Penelope Peacock looked upon the persimmon wine while it was orange, grabbing the microphone from the band. Her rendition of Feelings cleared the joint. The party continued outside. The paper-rock-scissors loser had to go back in for the next round. The owner of the Peck-n-Paw banned her from coming back for two weeks.

Yes, there was lots to talk about this morning.

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.

A Single and a Double

Little Orange Bird, acrylic on rescued slate piece, $25

Little Couple, acrylic on rescued slate piece, 45

New slate paintings--on display and available for purchase in my studio at LibertyTown.

We're hoping that the snow stays away long enough for our big holiday open house to happen without a hitch this Saturday, December 19. Artists will be in their studios, snacks, music, wonderful artwork and crafts--come by if you're in Fredericksburg, Va.

Makeover or Take 2

Common Loon, 8 x 10, acrylic and collage

I'm refurbishing canvases again, painting over the uninspired efforts of earlier days , trying for something new and more interesting. Before I began this painting, I had covered the old canvas with a mixture of collage papers, but left the spirals in the lower right corner from the previous work.

Aline brought in a cool book she got for her recent birthday. It is a book of many birds of North America with a picture and something written about each, and then you can press a button on the side to hear their calls. We had a particularly good time listening to the common loon who makes a haunting, almost howling-wolf kind of sound. Good for this time of year. It brought people from all over the front of the building wondering what kind of creature was loose at LibertyTown!

I'm heading up to Alexandria tomorrow to bring home LibertyTown's contributions to From There to Here show which closes tomorrow in the Target Gallery at the Torpedo Factory. I'm pleased that one of my works sold. It was not the one I thought would sell, either, so that's nice.

He Takes After Your Side of the Family, 10 x 10, mixed media with collage, aluminum cans, acrylic

Today's Work

Today, I started from the above working in acrylic. And how got you there, you ask?? I began by toning an 11 x 14 canvas board with quinacridone red, then printed over with small hand cut block prints. I painted negatively with a mixture of phthalo turquoise, permanent green light and white to create the tree. Then I went back in to paint on the branches with more red.

Today, I added fruit and leaves cut from catalogue pages from around the turn of the last century, fixing them to the board with matte medium. I printed a funny little bird--one of my own blocks--and began to add color to the fruit and bird--hansa medium, phthalo blue and black were added to the rest of the palette. I went in with a black micron pen to create dark edges around elements in the painting.

There's a lot going on, but I'm pretty pleased with it. Oh, and I forgot--along the way the sky turned from turquoise to blue--sometimes, life is like that!

WIP, Birds on a Wire

I pushed back the flying leaves in the sky and added a few mountain dwellings that can be seen from the front porch rocker. More about this one later.

Tonight I plunge into a two and a half day set of workshops on gourds led by Marla Helton. It is being held at LibertyTown and is sponsored by the Fredericksburg Area Spinners and Weavers Guild--nicest group of people in the world. My buddy and fellow LT artist, Lynette, grew up with Marla and is hosting her for the weekend. Marla has brought some of her works with gourds with her and we will set up a small showing at LT today to run through Sunday, March 1. If you're in the area, come by for an opening reception tomorrow night 6-8 pm.