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
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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.

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....

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
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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.

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?

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?

Paper Cut Jewels

I am so excited to show you the latest collaboration between Lynette Reed and me, Paper Cut Jewels, a line of earrings. We used her hand decorated papers and my collaged ones and created these "fabulous" little jewels last week, unveiling them at our First Friday opening, November 1.

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?

In the Pipeline

I'm all set to paint commissions and small paintings for the season.

These are cradled boards, collaged with paper "under paintings." As they are finished, I'll be sharing them right here, so stay tuned!

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?

Dapper Dan

Dapper Dan, acrylic with a wee bit of collage (can you find it?)

16 x 20, by Elizabeth W. Seaver

Dan is off on his red bicycle to woo his sweetie with wine and flowers.

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

Present 25/30

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