We will live this time...

This week was filled with meetings, appointments, migraines, tracking down a typewriter and so much more. I did manage to work, paint, and research regardless of all the distractions. The week started off with a bang as I sold my final Map of the Night from my shop artmaven on Etsy. I can officially call the Maps of the Night series a sell out! I am so pleased about this, I loved that body of work and I hope those who have collected it will enjoy those works for many years to come. There are still eight remaining flashcards in my shop, so snap those up! I also decided to add the remaining secret blocks and have lowered the price on them slightly from when they were shown in galleries, so please check out artmaven for all my remaining small works!

Every purchase helps me stay on the path, helps me stay connected with artists near and far, and helps to encourage and support me. Thanks again to all my many patrons and supporters over the years. I am very fortunate to have your support and I'll never take it for granted. You allow me to to be an artist and that is the greatest gift you can give me; the freedom to stay focused on my art, my true calling on this planet.

In other news, I have begun incorporating type into my new works for my next series, Sometimes I love you and other stories. This is the reason for tracking down a typewriter, which was graciously loaned to me by a local writer. I am tempted to tell you about and show you the beginnings of this series but I feel like I should hold back at this time until it becomes more solid of a concept. I can tell you I am very excited and I have high hopes for this series.

Until next week, keep fighting.

And the serious work begins...

work in progress in the studio

This week has been good, mostly spent painting in the studio, researching, writing and talking about my upcoming series. I have maintained regular hours in my studio and have six paintings on the go currently. They are in the infancy stages, but I am feeling better about all things since I have been spending regular time around my materials and working. It hasn't been easy, there has been a lot of pacing back and forth and flipping through my music to find just the "right" album to set the tone.

This body of work seems like it is going to be a stretch, a bit like pulling teeth with a heavy dose of trepidation but also unbridled excitement and inspiration. I cleaned my studio, took inventory and ordered the supplies I assumed I would need to complete this next body of work. My supplies have mostly arrived and I have a pretty good idea that there will be twenty new pieces in the series. All of this is subject to change as the work and concepts start to solidify. I say this mostly as an escape route for myself and from any expectations from viewers, but truly I hope I can pull of what I am setting out to do.

In other news, having my etsy shop re-opened has been really great. I have enjoyed finding my flash cards and my maps of the night featured in several really lovely treasuries. A treasury is when a fellow etsy seller functions as a curator and creates collections of work they admire. I have had a couple of sales as well. There are only ten flashcards and one map of the night left!

Until next week, you know what to do...

The moment between words...

how I'll arrive
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
Sold

I was a bit absent from my studio this week and I am not sure why. I did manage to create several new flash cards at the beginning of the week and have now completed the series. I also decided to re-stock my, until recently dormant etsy shop ArtMaven. You can find all the remaining flashcards and maps of the night there for purchase with free shipping! It is a convenient way to buy art, as etsy not only uses paypal but also accepts major credit cards. I can ship to anywhere in the world. I hope folks will take advantage of my shop being active again. I always enjoy using etsy as an artist and as an art buyer. I was also thrilled to have my flash card "been and gone" featured in a sweet etsy treasury.

Here are the most recent flash cards for your enjoyment. You can also email me directly if you are interested in these works at megancha@gmail.com.

been and gone
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
Sold

listen to the silence
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
Sold

there is a reason
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
Sold

within the cracks
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

pale remnants
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
Sold

the moment between words
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

In other news, Stewart Bremner who I collaborated with on our series "A question of chemistry" has three of his latest paintings currently on display as part of an exhibition at UNION gallery in Edinburgh. These are impressive works on paper, exploding with color and emotion. Here is a link to the gallery's website so you can see Stewart's work. I wanted to share them with you not only because I think they are impressive and inspired works, but because I want people to see Stewart's voice and hand in his solo work. By viewing his paintings you can learn to recognize his voice in our collaborative work; as many folks that have seen our paintings in person may be more familiar with my voice than his. These three works of Stewart's are striking and powerful and the framing only sets them off further. You can read a little bit about his experience of the exhibition and see a fantastic photograph of the artist and one of his paintings on his blog. I miss working with him in the studio, but don't worry I am working on the ideas and concepts behind my next body of work and excited by the thoughts I am having. I hope to start working on the actual paintings soon!

Until next week, keep fighting.

No Question...

After the storm
© 2011 Megan Chapman and Stewart Bremner
Mixed Media on Canvas, 40x30"
$1,350

This week in my studio has been about the speeding up and slowing down of time. Stewart has returned home to Scotland and our series remains a souvenir to time well spent. I have the luxury of spending quality time with the work now that it is complete, getting to know it and retracing the steps in the process. Stewart only has the photographs. I really wish he could see how the orange pops under the gallery lights. We hope these paintings will all find good homes, but until they do I will study them and remember the act of working with Stewart. We are thrilled to report that one of the paintings, Watching from afar sold last Saturday during our preview of the series. This first sale meant so much to us both. It is validation of our series and our fevered concentration and work. These paintings mean a lot to us and we love what we have created, but when others love it too and want to live with it, there is nothing like that feeling.

Last night was first Thursday at the Fayetteville Underground, so many more people were able to see the series in the Vault Gallery and in my studio. I had some lovely conversations about the work. Many people wanted to know how two artists could work together in such a way and many asked if I had worked this way before. People seemed genuinely impressed with the results and the story behind the work. I was so pleased and gave Stewart a full report this morning through the static of the internet.

This work taught me a lot about myself and life in general. There is something very vulnerable about painting with another; side by side, making messes and cleaning them up. Someone else gets to see every mistake and question before it forms to make something beautiful or intriguing on the canvas. Painting is usually a private process and many artists love this magical alone time and then suddenly there is this other person that must be considered. It was such a gift to have this experience and it is not a time I will soon forget.

Next week, I may start sharing some ideas about my next series of works for my solo exhibition in September. The proposed title of the exhibition: Sometimes I love you and other stories.

Until next week, keep fighting and take a chance. Life is beautiful.