Friday, February 23, 2018

Finishing touches

This week in the studio has mostly been about finishing off the work (same as last week). You'll be happy to know that I found the varnish I needed locally at the Edinburgh Art Shop. I went with a satin finish this time as gloss seemed too much when I am pleased with the matte finish of the work.

Monday, I spent time in the studio painting the sides of the pieces with a fresh coat of white (it takes many coats depending on how messy the sides are from the process). I also started a new 80x80cm painting on Monday. I added a bit of orange oxide to the palette. Here is a detail.

detail

I look forward to getting back into the painting soon. However, painting must wait until the current works are finished off and delivered to The Velvet Easel and The &Gallery. The paintings are signed, dated and titled on the back and they have been varnished with the expert help of Stewart. I was feeling a bit under the weather on Tuesday when I recorded my short video visit, if you missed it you can see it here.



On Wednesday I had a lovely meeting with Union Gallery. It was good to check in with them and have a chat. It's such a beautiful space. Their website is now up to date with my currently available works. I am honoured to be represented by three brilliant women-owned galleries in Portobello, New Town and the West End of Edinburgh. After a little over three years of trying to figure out the art scene here in Scotland, it finally feels like I am getting somewhere. Next stop, Glasgow and beyond!

After the meeting on Wednesday it was back to the studio for more coats of white paint on the sides and Thursday the hanging wires were added again with Stewart's expert help. I will be putting one more coat on the sides later today and then deliver the works this weekend.

So, that was this week in the studio. It feels good to be getting things ready to go out, to have work in these three galleries, as well as work back home in the Fenix Collective. I took a break from brick and mortar galleries for a while due to the economy caused closures and simply because I moved countries. It is so good to be getting back to what feels "normal" to me. Thank you for being here for the exciting moments as well as the necessary ones.

Until next week, keep fighting. The world needs you.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Gallery news!

I am delighted to share that the following paintings from my latest series will be heading to two galleries in Edinburgh soon.

These three pieces will be in the Spring, Thy Name is Colour exhibition at The Velvet Easel Gallery in Portobello, Edinburgh. Opening Saturday, the 3rd of March.

All that I am
Mixed media on canvas
80x80cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman
£1,450

Acceptance
Mixed media on canvas

80x80cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman
£1,450



Echoes and memory
Mixed media on canvas

100x120cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman
£2,200

In other exciting gallery news, the painting below will soon be going to The & Gallery on Dundas Street in Edinburgh.

Only to disappear
Mixed media on canvas
120x100cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman
£2,200
It is a joy to know that the work I am creating currently is not only ticking my own personal boxes but that it will also be reaching the public so quickly after painting it and in two such beautiful and unique galleries.

It is moments like these where every question and doubt, every frustration or worry, quiets and I know once again I am on the right path. This path I have been walking down for over twenty years. In fits and starts, my dedication to painting never truly wanes. I am grateful for all the lessons I have been taught and continue to learn through art

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go get some more varnish and get these pieces gallery ready!

Until next week, the world needs you, and your art.

Friday, February 9, 2018

All that I am

All that I am
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
80x80cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman

Acceptance
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
80x80cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman

Echoes and memory
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
100x120cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman

A fair wind and a long way to go
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
100x120cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman

The space between
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
120x100cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman

Your quiet heart
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
100x150cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman

Only to disappear
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
120x100cm
© 2018 Megan Chapman

Friday, February 2, 2018

To look at you

Tired but pleased


The sun is shining and I am just home from the studio. I want to go out and explore Edinburgh in the sunshine and celebrate a good week of work. But first, there is the matter of my weekly studio blog. So here we go.

This week was all about finishing up some resting pieces and allowing some resting pieces to tell me they were finished. It was full on and truthfully I am pretty worn out but gratefully so. Last week, I shared the first two of my large works in my new series. This Tuesday, I shared my studio video visit where you can see and learn more about what has happened in the studio since then. Here are the latest paintings in the series (pardon my mobile phone shots, proper photos in the near future).

120x100cm

80x80cm

80x80cm

100x150cm

100x120cm

Honestly, when I woke up this morning, I wasn't sure if I had it in me today and thought about taking the day off but then I bought myself a wee gift of an old album I used to have. It was just the ticket and the work got done.

Thank you to everyone who has had a kind word or shared this latest work. It feels really good to be painting in this way again and your support really helps. Okay, there are about two more hours of proper sunlight left in this day and I aim to get out in it! Until next week, keep fighting and for the love of everything holy, remember that every day you paint is a victory.