a certain trajectory

We will sink to the bottom of the ocean together
© 2010 Megan Chapman

I posted a version of this painting two weeks ago, and I have been working on it ever since. I think I have got it to where it is no longer a work in progress and is complete. A simplification. I also have made good progress on another new painting in this series, which I plan to show you next week.

This week, I had intended to work on my Etsy works for my all too empty shop Artmaven. I have the paper taped off, gessoed and ready, some even already coated with my more typical colors of red, aqua and gold, but each time I sat down to work on them, a new white series painting called out to be realized. I love working in color but right now I just need this coolness, I need this contrast, this watery world of charcoal, line, splatter and drip. This is the only thing that wants to be born currently and so the white series continues...

To let the ocean in...

Everything feels prehistoric (when we crash down to earth)

The painting above was the third one in progress and the one I felt had the longest way to go from last week. It's orientation has changed among other things. The title came from some words that popped into my head after taking a photograph earlier in the week.

a certain trajectory

Above, you will find my latest painting in the white series. And for now, that is all I have for you. It is after 1 in the morning as I write this, and I spent 10 hours in the studio today, painting. So as you can imagine, I am beat. There is one more piece in progress from last week, that I am not quite ready to show you. I hope you enjoy these two newest additions. Next week I plan to turn my attention to restocking my etsy shop with new original small works on paper.

Until then, keep fighting...

More works in progress: A continuation

Somehow we find ourselves on the same continent
©2010 Megan Chapman

This week has had its ups and downs in the studio. I was so gung ho to paint again on Monday after the thrill of last Thursday's validation and sales. I could feel the desire to work in my bones but somehow I couldn't get it to translate to the canvas as easily, but I showed up and worked. I fretted, I wrote and I listened to music and I waited. I worked on three paintings this week. When I got stuck with one I would move to the next or I would write some more and wonder where my ability to paint had gone. It felt a bit like procrastinating when writing a term paper. You know the material and you have written good papers before, but somehow you just aren't sure until the last minute that the paper is going to be written or come together, when finally you start writing and out of the anxiety of the deadline the paper seems to magically emerge.

That is what happened for me this week. Monday and Tuesday I was unsure of my abilities, worried about too much repetition and curious if the inspiration would come. By Wednesday things started falling into place and by yesterday the works in progress started showing me the way, and the words that I need to spur me along popped into my head. Listening to a new collection of songs, with a couple of selections on repeat throughout the day helped to clear the chatter and allowed me to go into the paintings and focus. So, today I would like to share my progress. The first painting posted above, Somehow we find ourselves on the same continent is finished. This next painting posted below, We will sink to the bottom of the ocean together, is very close and I will continue to work on it today.

We will sink to the bottom of the ocean together
work in progress © 2010 Megan Chapman

The third painting below, has a long way to go, but I have a road map in my mind to follow. There will be some horizontal elements added, some more white and whatever it tells me it needs. The words haven't come to me for this one, and once they do, it will be that much easier to follow the path. I don't often show my works in progress, unless I feel they are pretty close to being done. This third one, will probably look very much different the next time you see it, so don't get attached.

work in progress

This has been my week in the studio. Today, I will get back in there and work on these paintings to completion. There is nothing better than working and music music music! I hope things are going well in your studios too. Thanks for stopping by and as always for your encouragement and support.

Onwards...

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My friend Thomas Petillo, a brilliant photographer (who will be showing at the Fayetteville Underground in the Fall) and my musician friends, Hammock have been really devastated by the recent Nashville flood. Their new combined book/CD set just went on sale and it would really help these talented artists out in a very concrete way if you bought a copy. Go here to order yours today! Thank you.

This is May.

Selections from the Vault © 2010 Megan Chapman

These are the first of the new white series to be shown in the Vault Gallery for the month of May at the Fayetteville Underground. They had their debut last night, and I am happy to report the two pieces on the left, Right Words, Wrong Frequency and Where Strangers Dreams Cling have SOLD! This was such a thrill for me, validation of this direction and so many other things. I had a smile on my face all night. Another piece, To Collect Sounds, from my Fire and Noise series sold from my studio as well. It was a wonderful night, with record crowds and very inspiring all around. I am off to another opening reception tonight at the Sugar Gallery to see Crafting Place, this will be the first time my photography will be shown in a gallery, outside the works I did for the secret blocks that involved the resin. So May is starting off with a bang. I look forward to resting and recharging soon, so that I can get back to work on the white series and see where it takes me next.

In other news, the white series was also recently featured in two other art blogs, you may be interested in visiting. It is always an honor to have my work featured, Thanks again Jennifer and Debs!

I hope your May is wild.



and as always keep fighting...

***********************************
My friend Thomas Petillo, a brilliant photographer (who will be showing at the Fayetteville Underground in the Fall) and my musician friends, Hammock have been really devastated by the recent Nashville flood. Their new combined book/CD set just went on sale and it would really help these talented artists out in a very concrete way if you bought a copy. Go here to order yours today! Thank you.