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Elizabeth Craumer Biography
My work constitutes a variety of pastel landscapes. I enjoy working in pastel versus oil because you can use the colors without mixing. This medium is related closely to drawing, but it is united with painting by the way color is applied to the paper. My style is distinctive because it has a very painterly feeling. To create this softness, I do not blend the colors that I use together; therefore, each color stands alone in the painting. The layering of pure color creates the visual blending that I achieve.
My original influence was my mother who was always working on some kind of creative project. Whether it was painting, sculpting or refinishing furniture, there was always something being created in our house.
I began taking private art lessons as a young teenager and participated in local art shows. My art skills were further developed by working toward and receiving my BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. There I received a very solid background in drawing and painting. As an undergraduate, one of my favorite areas was lithography. Making limited-color lithograph prints helped to clarify how values create form. Later, I went back to school to get a M.S. in Art Education so that I could share my interest with others. I currently work in the Pembroke School system.
Since moving to New Hampshire a few years ago, I have been inspired by the uniquely beautiful landscapes around me to create colorful pastel pieces. I enjoy working from photographs because it provides the artistic opportunity to select the weather as well as the season. As a member of NH Plein Air, I also enjoy painting outdoors on location and becoming totally immersed in the environment in which I am working. There is something special about feeling the mood of the landscape right there in front of you. In addition, you are forced to make bold decisions because the light is always changing.
My memberships include NH Plein Air, Sharon Arts Center, Southern Vermont Art Center, Keyes Art Group, and the Nashua Artist Association. The NOA Gallery in Groton, MA represents my work. As a juried Gallery member of the Manchester Artists Association, I have been MAA Artist of the Month several times. Other awards include a 2nd place and several 3rd place awards in outdoor shows. I have also participated in several juried shows around New England and New York. I hold the office of Secretary in the Pastel Society of New Hampshire.
I hope my technique and my use of color translates my love of nature to my viewers. Please enjoy my impressions of the New England landscape.
I can be reached at betsy_craumer@comcast.net or at (603) 472-4027.
Education
BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art
MS in Art Education from Northern Illinois University
Various workshops with Linda Obremski, Robert Carsten, Karen Baker, Mary Buergin
Shows
Art on the Common, Londonderry, NH
Fine Art Festival, Hollis, NH
Pastel Society of NH Member Show, Durham, NH
NH Plein Air Show at SNHU, Manchester NH
Keyes Holiday Show, Milford
The Wine Studio, Manchester
13th Annual Art Affair in the Country, Bedford
Keyes Summer Art Show, Milford
NAAA's Greeley Park Art Festival
Andover Art in the Park
Juried Shows
"Fragments" Fredricksburg Center for Creative Arts, Fredricksburg, VA
PSNH New England Juried Show, Enfield, NH
2007 Northeast National Pastel Exhibition, Old Forge, NY
'Open Juried Prize Show', Nashua, NH
Galleries
Juried member of the MAA Gallery
The Frame Depot - Milford, NH
Cordwainer Gallery of Fine Crafts
Angles & Art - 80 Wingate St. Haverhill, MA
NOA Gallery - 113 Main St. Groton, MA
Lincoln Art Gallery, Lincoln, NH
Village Artisans and Gallery, Ashland, NH
Membership Affiliations
NH Plein Air
Pastel Society of NH
Manchester Artists Association
Sharon Arts Center
Sedona Arts Center
Southern Vermont Arts Center
Keyes Art Group
Nashua Artist Association
Awards
3rd Place - Art on The Common, Londonderry
MAA Artist of the Month - multiple months
3rd Place - 7th Annual Spring Art Show, Peabody Mill, Amherst, NH
Honorable Mention - Keyes Summer Art Show, Milford
2nd place - NAAA's Greeley Park Art Festival
2nd place - Andover (MA) Art in the Park
Contact Information
9 Checkerberry Lane, Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 472-4027
cell (603) 540-6451
betsy_craumer@comcast.net
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To create a soft, painterly feeling, I do not blend together the many colors that I use. Each color stands alone in the painting, and the layering of pure color creates the visual blending that I achieve. Working from photographs provides the artistic opportunity to select the weather as well as the season.
Painting plein air or out-of-doors allows me to become totally immersed in the environment in which I am working. There is something special about feeling the mood of the landscape as you work. |
