The world opened up and said yes

As you said © Megan Chapman 2010

This week was interesting to say the least. April has never been a good month for me historically, but I decided that this April would be different and so far it has not disappointed. This April, I committed to taking better care of myself (again) and to work a little harder than usual. I guess in self help lingo, you could say I set an intention for the month, and by doing this, I seemed to have been rewarded almost immediately. The world opened up and said yes, or perhaps I went to the crossroads and made a deal with the devil. If you have been reading my blipfoto journal you know what happened to me this past Saturday afternoon, but if not I think it bears repeating and celebrating. I sold NINE of my paintings to a first time collector! This was the most wonderful thing not only for me, but I think, also for the collector. I could see how excited she was, and how her confidence built with each choice she made. I loved working with her closely while she amassed her collection. It was one of those days many artists dream of, just a magical experience all around. I just couldn't believe it. I am humbled, grateful, and thrilled to no end. It was also wonderful to share my happiness with my friends on blip, facebook, and my studio mates. Now I am sharing it with you. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful friends near and far who are genuinely happy for me. Thank you.

In other news, yesterday afternoon I happily received an email notification that three of my photographs had been accepted into a juried exhibition entitled Crafting Place: Interpretations of Natural and Constructed Environments from the Kitchen to the Forest. The Juror was Kenneth Trapp former curator-in charge of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The exhibition is to be held May 6th through June 5th in Bentonville, Arkansas at the Sugar gallery. I am excited to share three of my photographs from my Picher, Oklahoma series. I am also proud of myself for entering photographs in the exhibition, as I really consider myself a painter and not a photographer. I guess I am an artist after all.

As far as the studio goes, I popped in and out all week, and I looked at my paintings, but nothing really happened. Currently, I have one on the go on the easel that if I wasn't still so excited about my Saturday sales, I could probably focus on and wrap up fairly quickly. The piece posted above is the latest in the white series, it is quiet and serene, perhaps a space to breathe. At first I wasn't sure if it was done, but now I think it is.

If I had to sum up this week it was full of good fortune, healthy eating and drinking, walking, talking, napping and smiling, with a dash of music music music and as always art.

Until next week, keep fighting.