After The Maps: What's next...

They found their quiet under one of many clouds
mixed media on paper 24x 36"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$100

She would remember for him, he would forget for her
mixed media on paper 24x 36"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$100

If you have been following my blog you know about the Maps of the Night. There are only three maps of the night left, and of course I am beyond thrilled with the response to my latest series. It was such an exciting and exhilarating project to work on. There is something about creating art quickly and moving through something personal in real time with the art that is an unparalleled experience. That is what the maps were for me.

For those that purchased a map or two thank you from the bottom of my heart, I hope they bring you all the enjoyment that they gave me while creating them. They have now all been shipped to their destinations or picked up locally. Please know that your purchase keeps me fed, housed, happy and able to make more art. It also inspires and encourages me, so please know that you are appreciated and never underestimate the value of supporting an artist.

I feel the maps are now complete. I set out to create twenty and I did. I was so pleased with the results. So now what? Well, on to the next series of course! Do I know what that series is? Not exactly, but it is showing itself to me in fits and starts- I am thinking it will continue on paper, still mostly a monochromatic palette and there may still be some words mixed in the paintings. I think the scale may change, either getting quite large or perhaps small. I don't have an exhibition booked until next September so I have plenty of time to play with it and explore and that is exactly what I intend to do. I am lucky to have this time. I am tempted to paint a few more white series/falling into sound type paintings on canvas too, but not quite yet. Paper is really calling me right now. I have always loved working on paper, it feels like home but at the same time it has such strong individual qualities, so different from canvas that it provides me a challenge that I enjoy. I will keep thinking about the next series and I will keep you posted on any developments in the studio.

In other news, I have been slowly re-reading the book Art & Fear: Observations On The Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland with fellow artist and friend Stewart Bremner. It has been good to read these words and think about them with another artist. It has also been interesting for me to read them coming from a different perspective than the first time I read the book, when I was just starting to get serious about my art career. If you are a working artist or just starting out, I would recommend reading a book about being an artist every now and then. So many of the obstacles, fears, and even the exciting highs have been written about and explored so well already. It is reassuring to know that there are other people out there that have figured out parts of the puzzle to being an artist. We don't have to do this alone, and we don't have to reinvent the wheel. I would really recommend reading these sorts of books if you are an artist that feels isolated or lack support from family, friends, or the public. I don't read these sorts of books like I used to because really the key is just to work, but every now and then they are a tonic of sorts.

Well, that is all the news fit to print... I have to get to my studio and finish up a commission and think more about my next series. Until next week, you know what to do...

it all points to an expertly crafted myth
mixed media on paper 24x 36"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$100

The last three remaining maps are pictured in today's blog post, please email me if you are interested in these works for your collection. megancha@gmail.com. Click on the images to see them larger.