Art mirrors life

The studio got to a tipping point this week. I was cultivating a nice nest of papers and canvases and just a bit of madness, Francis Bacon style. It felt good but at the same time if I want to have patrons visit the studio it was time to clean it up.

After a meditation, I envisioned a new way to use my studio space and went to work on making it a reality.

A wall of cupboard doors came off thanks to help from Stewart. Suddenly I could store all of my paints and materials where I could see them and easily access them. This storage space had been so under utilized and now it is teeming with use, purpose and my beautiful materials. This excites me to no end! Also, because my materials can now be seen I know exactly what I have and what I need as it runs out and as my materials are no longer covering my table, I have space to work there. This also presents me with a good space to package up prints and small paintings. It all just makes so much more sense. I am delighted! I moved my table across the room and now I have more space to stand back from my paintings as I am working. This is a much better arrangement!

We signed the lease on the studio in the second week of December 2014 (just three months after I arrived in Edinburgh from Fayetteville, Arkansas) and I have been working in Studio G23 at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street in Leith since January 2015. It has taken a lot of time to get to know the space and be able to feel comfortable and loving towards it.

I barely speak to anyone there and don't know many of the artists that work in the building but the space has been a wonderful companion here as I create my work. I am glad to be seeing it for what it is and utilizing it's potential. After losing a studio space once that I dearly loved back home at the end of 2012, I have been hesitant to commit or believe this space is really mine or that it is really here for me. It's time to trust again. I finally think I am ready.

Art mirrors life. I finally think I am ready.

The lessons I hold dear

I am pleased to write that three new limited edition prints from my latest series of small works have been released into the world! I love the quality of these reproductions and I'm thrilled that two of them have already found homes! A small original painting and two other prints from my collection also sold this week. It fills me with joy knowing that people live with my art.

I think I have mentioned this before on my blog but I think it is worth mentioning again. Another thing I love about my limited edition prints is the fact that each time one is purchased two artists are being supported! My prints are made to order in Edinburgh by brilliant artist and designer Jenni Douglas at her studio. Your purchase helps support two women owned independent art businesses and allows us to keep doing what we are on the planet to do. Thank you.

Just a reminder that I have a coupon code sale going on right now until November 1st. over in my Etsy shop, Artmaven. Use coupon code INSTAPAL20 at checkout and save 20% on your order. As the days draw in and the politics is grim, don't let it get you down! Buy art and support artists! I think it is a revolutionary act to make things of beauty and to support the arts in these days. Be part of the solution. Thank you very much for your support.

When words escape me

Paper size: A5 (21cm x 14.8cm)/8.3 x 5.8 inches 
Limited Edition of 50
SHOP

The lessons I hold dear
Paper size: A5 (21cm x 14.8cm)/8.3 x 5.8 inches
Limited Edition of 50
SHOP

The ache at my fingertips
Paper size: A5 (21cm x 14.8cm)/8.3 x 5.8 inches

Limited Edition of 50
SHOP

In other news, I still haven't got my hands on a copy of SOGO magazine to share the article about my work with you. So stay tuned and perhaps I will get a copy by next week! I am very excited to read the article and see my work in print within this beautiful Scottish publication. Until next week don't let the bastards get you down! Keep fighting!

The new language

After last Friday's blog I decided I had indeed finished the two large pieces in my latest series. As a result they were documented. So here is the series as it stands now with the completed paintings. There are many more in progress currently but it feels good to share the finished ones as I go.

A change in the frequency
Acrylic on canvas
41x51x4cm/16x20x1.5"
2016 Megan Chapman

All the time it took to remember
Acrylic on canvas
76x51x4cm/30x20x1.5"
2016 Megan Chapman

Out of my mouth come flowers, come barbs
Acrylic on canvas
41x51x4cm/16x20x1.5"
2016 Megan Chapman

The new language
Acrylic on canvas
76x51x4cm/30x20x1.5"
2016 Megan Chapman

In other very exciting news, I was interviewed by artist and art editor, Brian McFie for SOGO magazine. "SOGO magazine is a Scottish based quarterly lifestyle and arts publication, which promotes and provides a platform for Scottish creative industries and communities." It is a beautiful publication based in Glasgow and the Autumn 2016 issue including the piece about my work comes out this weekend. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! I am honored to have been included. I will have more on this in next week's blog. Here's a wee sneak peek captured from SOGO's facebook page.

While attempting to contain my excitement about the SOGO article I have been working on new small paintings in the studio and walking in the cool autumn weather every chance I get. I am trying to savor the season before the skeleton trees arrive.

I think that's all I have for you this week. Thanks for being part of my art world, it makes the journey so much sweeter. Until next week you know what to do...

Believe me

The first four in the new bright series complete

After last weeks country jaunt, I got right back into the mix in the studio while the news of the world filtered in...

Paint it all pink I say! Pink is the new black, really! I see a red door and I want it painted pink...or yellow ochre or both! I read the news today, oh boy... cue the PINK!

Or if we want to be classy, paint it magenta! But for god's sake just paint it! Okay, back to the blog and my week. I have now had the three new small paintings properly documented and I am quite pleased with them (which you can see below). I also finished (I think) two larger paintings in my new bright series as well (which you can see above).

The lessons I hold dear
Acrylic on canvas
8.5x6"/21x15cm. 
2016 Megan Chapman 
http://etsy.me/2cXEEkC

The ache at my fingertips
Acrylic on canvas
8.5x6"/21x15cm. 
2016 Megan Chapman 
http://etsy.me/2dyo8J4

When words escape me
Acrylic on canvas
8.5x6"/21x15cm. 
2016 Megan Chapman 
http://etsy.me/2dymKWQ

In other news and in celebration of the fact that it's been just a little over two years since I chose to make Scotland my home, I wanted to acknowledge this milestone by having a 20% off sale in my Etsy shop, Artmaven. Just use coupon code INSTAPAL20 at checkout until November 1 to get your discount! New prints of the three small works pictured above will be added to the shop soon- the originals are available now!

Support my work

Painting by Alice Neel 1965

And last but certainly not least, I took a little time to appreciate the culture around me and ventured out to see the Alice Neel exhibition at the Talbot-Rice Gallery. It was a wonderful exhibition and really made me appreciate the work and the woman in a new way. The documentary made by her grandson was playing as part of the exhibition and I found it mesmerizing. I could identify with so much of what Alice said.

I have been thinking of her often since seeing her work. I hope to watch the full documentary soon and perhaps buy a collection of her work in book form. I think it is so important to find the people who have blazed this trail ahead of us and find solace in their works and words.

We are not in this alone. People do think like you, some even see and act like you. Not like drones, not like copies but like true originals. True flesh and bone humans with the wild ideas. You will find your people eventually even if they are long gone when you do. It seems unfathomable at times. That is why we must keep fighting. I write this to myself and also to anyone who comes across this. I know how lonely it can feel, please hang on and fight with us. Someone one day will need to hear your words and see your work. They may not even be born yet. Believe me.