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.

Sweet Ones

Sweet Ones, acrylic on linen, 24 x 32

Elizabeth W. Seaver

As opposed to the other ones which I painted here. (It is at the bottom of a post from summer 2011.)

I am back to painting root veggies to go in a show at a fine establishment called Blackstone Coffee next month. Their coffee is fantastic, and the beans are roasted locally. Come out, try their coffee and eats, and see me at the opening, First Friday in April (the 5th) with all my root veggie paintings. I will be in my studio before that from 5 to 7.

I'll be posting more as they are finished. Cheers!

Art Around the 'Burg, the Second

Such a whirlwind has been whipping around Libertytown this week! Dan and Beth (with help from Elliot) built a roomful of Ikea furniture. Said "build-it yourself" (BIY????), superstore was alternately praised and cursed all the day long. The most exciting thing that happened yesterday was the explosion of glass from a cabinet door which had already been installed. Thank goodness no one was hurt. All was cleaned up quietly and quickly, and Dan picked up a new door along with more boxes of furniture to put together. It's a big room.

Today, as the day progressed, the gallery began to take on the look of a fancy museum gift shop. Susan wafted from place to place creating magic out of the hodge podge of fine art and craft left by various local artists, including those from Libertytown.

When she is done, the place is going to be gorgeously ready for the December shoppers. Beth, Aline and I will hang the Small Works show beginning tomorrow, and then Thursday night will be a preview opening for the Friends of Libertytown. They are in for a real treat. If you are in town, join us First Friday, Dec. 5th from 5-9. The Pottery Students will be selling their work, too. Don't miss it! See the link at right for directions.

Two color reduction print shown above is Rear Window, one of my new works which will be on display.