Elizabeth's Most Frequnetly Asked Questions

DSC02040 1. What materials do you use for your Paint Squared paintings?
Jan 08: They are either oil on gessoed mat board or oil on canvas.
Jan 06 through Jan 08: They are done on recycled mat board scraps from the frame shop where I work. All of the mat board is archival. After the board is cut to size, I coat it with several layers of gesso. I try to have 10-12 squares ready to go at any given time. After each painting dries, I coat it with liquin & once that dries, I mat it into an 11x14 white, archival mat with a 3 inch border on the top & sides & a 6 inch border on the bottom.


sc00278355 2. Why don't you mat your daily paintings in a square mat?
I try to make my pieces as accessible & convenient to the buyer as I can. Square frames are hard to come by ... an 11x14 frame can be picked up just about anywhere ... sometimes even at a local grocery store! If you have a special mat request, just ask & I'll do my best to accommodate you.


DSC00721.JPG 3. Do you do commission Paint Squared paintings?
I do a lot of commissions paintings ... especially Pet Portraits! Commissioned Paint Squared paintings are 5x5 inch oil on canvas or paper paintings. They are $95 each plus $5 for shipping. Other sizes avaialble too. E-mail me with questions.


DSC00779.JPG 4. Do you really paint every day?
Yep, I do! Doing a painting a day has become a regular part of my routine ... I look forward to my paint time whether it be on location or in my studio!


DSC00970.JPG 5. How long have you been painting? And when did you start the daily paintings?
I am a self taught artist & I have been painting for 12 years. I started my Paint Squared project on January 15th of 2006.


DSC01276.JPG 6. Why did you start doing daily paintings? And how has it helped you?
I had the Winter blues in January of 2006 & was looking for art inspiration on the web. I stumbled across the pioneer of Daily Paintings, Duane Keiser's daily painting blog & was blown away at his commitment to his artwork. After some thought & visualization of doing an oil painting a day I decided I would go for it! My daily paintings have changed my life. The lesson in discipline has been extraordinary--I have realized the importance of doing your craft each and every day despite how you may be feeling. My eye has sharpened. My sense of color is richer. I am a quicker, more spontaneous painter. Practice DOES make you improve & I hope to continue painting every day for a long time to come! I have also shared my artwork with people across the globe through my blog & sales ... it's HARD work, but it is really FUN!


DSC02507.JPG 7. Where do you show your work?
I have a new studio full of artwork & it is currently open for Portland's First Friday Artwalk from 5-8pm & by appointment. My studio is located at 81 Congress St. on Munjoy Hill in Portland. E-mail me if you'd like to stop by.
A small selection of my work can also be seen at Casco Bay Frames where I work. Casco Bay Frames is located at 295 Forest Ave in the Hannaford Plaza on the Back Cove in Portland. I also have a selection of oil paintings at a lovely Jewelry shop on Main Street in Damariscotta, called STARS.