2019 Summary

What a year! I am grateful for so many folks who have supported me and my work. I couldn’t have done it without you. Special thanks go to paperandwhite.com- It was a joy to work on those commissions with you. Your support changed the trajectory of my year and for that, I’ll always be grateful. Jeanne Parham and Fenix Fayetteville my hometown representative that enabled my work to be on television for the first time in HBO’s True Detective at the start of the year- what a treat! Thank you! Bikes for Refugees - Scotland SCIO thank you for the inspiring work you do for our new Scots. I am honoured that I was able to use my work to help your important cause and help these new residents. Thanks to my patrons we helped raise £830 (someone gave an extra £5) to put 15 bikes on the road and into the hands of refugees. Thanks of course to the lovely The Velvet Easel Gallery for representing my work, what a haven you have created. Thanks to Dancing Light Gallery for having my work in your idyllic space in the country. Thanks to Doyle Art for showing my work this year in Glasgow - short but sweet- best of luck in the future. Thanks to my union Scottish Artists Union for the important work you do- glad to be a member! Thanks to my studio at The Out of the Blue Drill Hall for all that you provide and the wonderful people I have met under your roof. Thanks to Sandra Brown from Creative Ceramics for my summer residency experience in the old stables. I needed that and I am grateful you made it happen. To my friends, patrons, and supporters near and far and to my fellow artists and makers, thanks for what you give and for what you bring. Wishing you all the best in the year ahead with love and gratitude. ❤️- Megan ✨

Bits and bobs

Here's the Tuesday Studio Video Visit for those who missed it on my Facebook Art Page. I am still working on uploading my videos to YouTube so that they can be more accessible to a greater number of people but until then, here you go:



The video was a recap of the small to medium sized works I have available for sale in my studio. Besides spending time in my studio this week, I was able to see a band that has inspired me for decades now. As many of you know music is one of my greatest (if not the greatest) inspirations for my work. I love many forms of art but music is always the one that I love most and it is the gateway to creation for me. Without music I would not paint and the paintings I paint would not be the same without the music I listen to. So I was delighted that I had the opportunity to see Echo and the Bunnymen this week in Edinburgh. It was a wonderful show and I left inspired (mostly to listen to more Echo and the Bunnymen). I reckon I am finally done painting for the year. 

In other news, today a new patron in Oxford purchased a Bikes for Refugees painting, and put another bike on the road for a total of 15 in 2019! A new patron from Malaysia bought a new small work framed in black. Last Saturday a lovely American came to open studios and purchases a small work on paper. The week before that a local artist also purchased a small work on paper at open studios. The week before that another artist started a payment plan on a framed piece. I am grateful for these sales. They keep me going. A few people supported me on my Ko-Fi site as well. Thank you all, you are keeping my studio rent paid and the lights on so I can continue to work.

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday season and next week I will be back with my 2019 wrap up. A blogging tradition that is more for me than you, but one I must post here all the same. Until next week, keep fighting. The world needs you and the gifts you bring.

Sold to a collector in Oxford

Last Open Studio of the Year!

What time is it? OPEN STUDIOS TIME! JOIN US this Saturday, December 14th from 11-5pm for the last OPEN STUDIO of the year as part of the final Out of the Blue Christmas Arts Markets at The Out of the Blue Drill Hall 36 Dalmeny Street in Leith, Edinburgh. Participating Open Studio Artists and Makers are @ethermaven, @mairibstitching, @pollythelwall, @rosalyj, @celticseajewels, @mandmcgrattan and more! (Yes, those are their Instagram handles- go follow them!) Don’t miss it! We love what we do and we want to share it with you. Support your local artists and makers.

There are a few other things going on behind the scenes but like many in the UK, I am feeling a bit wordless right now. Until next week, keep fighting! The world needs you and the gifts you bring!

Support me on Ko-Fi where you can find supporter-only content and more. Thank you.

I let go

A whip-smart rage filled my heart but you wouldn't let it just burn. You said let's have a laugh and so we did. I followed your lead, I closed my eyes and screwed up my face. I let go. We danced and jumped and worked together in a fever. We made all our favourite mistakes. 

_______

Come see these paintings and others at my studio G23 at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall Saturday December 7th and December 14th from 11-5pm. located at 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, Edinburgh.

Support me on Ko-Fi where you can find supporter-only content and more. Thank you.

Stories waiting to be told

I'll erase the webs and I will crash your boat.
I will dress in delicate lace paired with dirty boots and I will walk the floor.
I will keep trying to get it right.
While ghosts rummage in the silverware drawer
Your thoughts are better kept to yourself

The games we play

Bicycles for Refugees Fundraiser and Open Studios!

My second fundraiser for Bikes for Refugees is happening now! If you recall, I created 10 works on paper last spring to benefit this important charity organisation and thanks to you, all 10 works sold! We were able to donate £550 to this worthy organisation and I am hoping we can do the same again before the end of the year. 

This latest series of original paintings are A4 sized - 21X29.7cm/8.3x11.7” mixed media on 280gsm/80oz primed canvas board. They will be signed and dated on the back. Each piece is £135. These new works are value-priced for charity and this includes shipping to anywhere in the world. £55 from the sale of each piece will be donated Bikes for Refugees and will put a bike in the hands of a new Scot. 

The bikes are donated to the charity from lovely folks and then the organisation spends money and time to service the bikes, making sure they are roadworthy for their new owners. Each bike also comes with a lock, light, and a helmet. It costs £55 to get a donated bike up and running for new Scot. So each time a painting sells, that's another bike we can get on the road for a refugee. Here's a short clip of me speaking about how I was inspired to help this charity. 

I gladly accept bank transfer and PayPal (if the buyer can kindly pay the PayPal fees). Payment plans are also available (take up to 3 months to pay off your painting if needed). I want you to live with original art and I want to help this important charity. Message me to reserve your painting today! Gratefully, four pieces from this series have already sold! Thanks, patrons! 

Here are the remaining available works. I would love to sell at least 6 more of these before the end of the year! Please share my blog or my facebook album http://bit.ly/2KhrKy4 of the paintings and help spread the word. Thank you. 

Also if you are local Edinburgh, my studio G23 will be open this Sunday from 12-5pm along with my friend, textile artist Mairi Brown in F14. We will have our doors open alongside the Makers Marque event at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall located at 36 Dalmeny Street in Leith. It would be a great time for you to come and see these new charity pieces in person and pick up one for yourself or as a gift. 

Until next week, keep fighting! We need you here alongside us creating change and beauty. 

When it rains, it pours

Slowly things are returning to a type of normalcy. The studio has been put back together, all the work for upcoming exhibitions has reached its gallery of choice (The Velvet Easel, Doyle Fine Art, and Dancing Light). I am getting caught up on my blog (go back and catch up if you haven't- all gaps have now been filled). I even managed to record a Tuesday Studio Video Visit on a Tuesday! Here is the evidence (and note the progress of the studio as well!)



In other news, as you can see I am turning the hall into a small works gallery. I also started working on a new small works series, these are going to be charity works like I did in the Spring. It feels so good to finally be able to focus on making work and do it in a spirited and loose way. I started with a favourite palette of mine, one that really came to be this summer while I was working on my book series. I mean lets be honest I have been dancing around this palette for a few years, but anyway it's black, white, grey, yellow ochre, and an electric blue and pale sea foam green oil pastel. These colours thrash about, dance and do loopty loops across the A4 sized canvas board. I jump in time with the beat, I curse, I laugh and I dance as I work. This is the best part, to remember again after a break. To create a reason and then to let the momentum carry me. To get out of my own way and to trust my hand, my materials, my understanding and what I love and what I want in a painting. To be the conduit in my space, on my own terms. What a sweet relief, when it rains it pours.

And we're back!

As always, keep fighting. You will remember again if you forget, your hand knows what to do.

Of Night and Light and more!

I carry the light

Mixed media on canvas

80x80x4cm

© 2019 Megan Chapman

£1,450

Separate languages

Mixed media on canvas

80x80x4cm

© 2019 Megan Chapman

£1,450

The anchor holds

Mixed media on canvas

80x80x4cm

© 2019 Megan Chapman

£1,450

The "Of Night and Light" exhibition opens November 2nd (tomorrow)! Pop on by from 10-5 for a glass of sparkly and "some seriously superb art." Three of my new pieces from my latest series "The Anchor Holds" are there! The Velvet Easel Gallery, 298 Portobello High Street Portobello, Edinburgh.

In other news, I have been busy getting organised and moving back into my Drill Hall studio in Leith after my generous summer residency in the old stables in Granton. I want to say thank you to fellow artist and friend Sandra Brown of Creative Ceramics for allowing me to use the space. I love the old place but I am also ready for my creature comforts now that it is winter, and that means heat, wifi, and the Drill Hall Cafe! I learned a lot during my time at the stables and woke up some sleeping parts of myself. I will always be grateful for the opportunity and Sandra's friendship. 

Speaking of Sandra, we both have work at the fabulous Doyle Art gallery in Glasgow, and earlier today, we met up with gallery owner John Doyle in Sandra's studio so that we could each give him new work for his gallery. It was lovely to have a relaxed chat and a bit of brunch in Sandra's wonderful studio space while getting some art business taken care of. Here are some photos of us posing with a bit of our work and John. 

Besides being behind on my blog, I have also been behind on my Tuesday Video Visits. Honestly, along with my iron deficiency (don't worry I am back on the iron), everything got a bit derailed the past couple of months while I was applying for my Indefinite Leave to Remain status. I am happy to say, I received my leave to remain! I am very grateful and happy to have the stress of my immigration status off my shoulders, it is always a weight in the back of mind and now it is not. Even that is taking a bit of time to get used to! Anyway, this is all a long way to say, I did manage to record a video visit or two! And if you missed it on Facebook, here it is again. 



I think that is all I have for you this week. I have plans and ideas and soon, they will come to fruition! 
Thanks for being on this path with me and for your support. Keep fighting! 

Art in Granton : Exhibition Tonight!

No longer a mystery
Acrylic on canvas
80x100x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman

The distance
Acrylic on canvas
40x50x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman

Let Go
Acrylic on canvas
40x50x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman

Tonight was the opening for the Art in Granton Exhibition at the Granton Hub. It was a local, Granton community-specific exhibition. It was lovely to have work included in a very diverse collection from accomplished artists, hobbyists, and those just learning, all exploring the theme of Granton. Filled with history, local colour, and memories it was a full show and a full house!

Drinks and snacks were had, the rooms of the Hub filled as a cellist filled the air with her beautiful music. It was a lively affair with many sales, with a 20% commission benefiting the Granton Hub. I have to say it was one of the best publicised, lively, and well-attended exhibitions I have been to in Edinburgh. MP Deidre Brock gave an inspired speech along with the organisers as they tried to raise funding for the Hub and shared the rich history of the area. I was proud to be part of it and enjoyed meeting several artists and volunteering my time over the weekend to watch the exhibition.

Don't ever discount your smaller community-based art scenes. Sometimes this is where the heart is as well as the inspiration.

Upcoming Exhibitions and Open Studios!

No longer a mystery
Acrylic on canvas
80x100x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman
£1,450
*On show at Art in Granton, space allowing

The end of the year is drawing near as the nights are fair drawing in. There are still many exhibition opportunities, open studios to visit, and art to create. This week, I just wanted to make sure you all know where you can find my work.

Upcoming Exhibition Roundup: 

The distance
Acrylic on canvas
40x50x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman
£725

Let Go
Acrylic on canvas
40x50x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman
£725

Art in Granton: Granton Hub
25th Oct 2019 - 27th Oct 2019
Friday 25th October opening reception starts at 5pm.
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th from 11am - 5pm
Madelvic House Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh North EH5 1HS

"You’re invited to the opening of our Art in Granton exhibition on Friday, 25th October from 5pm at Madelvic House. The 60+ artworks by 30+ artists will be on display until Sunday, 27 October, and all pieces are for sale.

Art in Granton is a collaboration between Granton Hub and Curious Edinburgh, who host the Granton heritage walk on their app. The exhibition reflects artists’ inspiration from the walking tour stops and celebrates the heritage, urban vistas, landscapes and people of Granton.

The National Galleries of Scotland have also donated a pencil drawing of the Old Castle at Caroline Park, dating back to 1850, as a high-resolution digital print.

I am pleased to be part of this very local exhibition so near where I live and where I worked this summer on these newest paintings from my series, "The Anchor Holds." (See above)

Of Night and Light - The Velvet Easel Gallery

2nd of November 2019 - 1st of March 2020

298 Portobello High Street

Portobello Edinburgh 

EH15 2AS

Gallerist and painter, Roz Walker always creates stunning mixed exhibitions for her lovely gallery in Portobello. I am delighted that I will be showing three of my new pieces from my latest series, "The Anchor Holds." As always the opening will be an all-day drop-in affair on the opening date of the exhibition with drinks and nibbles. 

Separate Languages
Mixed media on canvas
80x80x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman
£1,450

I carry the light
Mixed media on canvas
80x80x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman
£1,450

The anchor holds
Mixed media on canvas
80x80x4cm
© 2019 Megan Chapman
£1,450


Doyle Fine Art Gallery
23 Parnie Street
Glasgow
G1 5RJ

This Friday, gallery owner, John Doyle will be coming through to pick up a few new works for a gallery refresh since his grand opening. I am delighted that he will have some smaller works of mine from an earlier series for his lovely patrons to enjoy in Glasgow. The works below will be on show.

Where we say goodbye
Mixed media on canvas
40x40x4cm
© 2017 Megan Chapman
£550

To tell you everything
Mixed media on canvas
40x40x4cm
© 2017 Megan Chapman
£550

Far away
Mixed media on canvas
40x40x4cm
© 2017 Megan Chapman
£550

Last but certainly not least, I am pleased that I will have some even smaller works available at the Dancing Light Gallery. Some of you may remember I showed my work there in the Spring Exhibition earlier this year. A selection of the following works below will be on show.

Winter Warmth Exhibition: Dancing Light Gallery
23rd November 2019 to 29th January 2020
Preview Reception Saturday 30th November 2pm - 5pm
Whitmuir
Nr. West Linton
Edinburgh
EH46 7BB



Where my soul roams
Mixed media on canvas
20x20x4cm
2019 Megan Chapman
£325 framed