Friday, October 25, 2019

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.

Friday, October 18, 2019

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 GrantonGranton 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)

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

Friday, October 11, 2019

Taking stock: A bullet point review

my latest painting
You know how I am about evidence. No matter how hard I try to get away from counting things, I still find it comforts me. I get so busy living that I am not always sure what I am doing. I am amazed by this year and it isn't over yet. 

Time in 2019 has moved so strangely, but it has moved and apparently, I moved along with it. Kudos to all involved. I am thankful for all the support I have been given and the care and subtle magic I have been shown along the way. 

Let's make the abstract more concrete by counting it up. 

I have painted 86 paintings this year, including my major dark series on canvas, books series, and refugee series on paper along with assorted paper sketches and the 4 commissioned paintings for Paper+White back in February (this does not yet include the many other pieces in progress and those studies still floating about my studio and you know there are going to be some holiday works coming soon!).

I participated in 1 solo pop up and 5 group exhibitions, with 3 more group exhibitions on the horizon this year (for a total of 8 group shows). I participated in the 2-day Porty Art Walk Bookmakers market. 

I have had my studio open to the public 4 times this year with 4 more times available before the end of 2019 for a total of 8 simply by tagging on to Markers Marque events, Summer and Winter Arts Markets at the Drill Hall. 

I have recorded 43 Tuesday Studio Video Visits and supplemental video visits about my studio practice.

I have written 41 Studio blogs. 

We raised £550 for Bicycles for Refugees through the sale of 10 of my paper pieces and we put 10 bikes on the road. 

I saw my work on television on True Detective.

I joined the Scottish Artists Union. I went to two of their events, one on basic income and the other a paid consultation on the fair works contract.

I created my art mentoring website and have mentored artists. 

I have worked in a secondary studio residency environment starting this summer.

I entered 4 juried art shows. 

I have attended 13 (or so) exhibitions/art markets/open studio events this year (give or take a few here and there). I am glad I have been able to see as much art as I have this year. It's important to see what is on show and to support your fellow artists, peers, and galleries. 

And yes, there have been sales here and there (thank the painting gods and perhaps, more importantly, my patrons and paper+white for that big commission). So that is my art world. 

In my everyday life, I have managed to see countless documentaries and films about everything under the sun, many docs on painters and a q&a with the directors of "Stories of the she-punks" as part of the DocNRoll festival. 

I managed to read 4 books, and have 4 others in progress and many more I haven't yet started but that I obtained this year. Saw a couple of authors (Matt Haig and Armistead Maupin) give wonderful talks. 

I got to see Peter Hook and the Light play live- and Joy Division tunes made my heart sing. It was wonderful to see such a legend play.

I marched in 5 political/social/environmental justice marches and rallies in the streets of Edinburgh this year. 

I went on 22 adventure walks with friends, seeing parts of this beautiful city but also many places further afield in the surrounding areas of the country. Thank you, James! Thank you, Jane! Thank you, Aoife! 

I have seen friends and family, maintained relationships, and spent quality time in the back garden patio planting things (I must admit it all looks a bit rough right now as the seasons' change- needs an autumnal refresh). I enjoyed the sun when I could and being in nature. 

I have taken countless photographs and spent inordinate amounts of time in front of my computer on social media and plenty of time on stress and worry. During all of this, I was diagnosed with anemia back in the early spring and was on high dosage iron tablets for months and months. I have been consumed by the visa process, passing the life in the UK test, and yet here I am. I have baked and cooked and shared some of my baking and cooking. Overall, it seems I am living a pretty balanced and productive life and that's the best I can do. Perhaps it's time for a holiday... Ha! 

Again, I am grateful for my communities near and far. To quote Joe Strummer as I have often in the past, "without people, you're nothing..." Thank you for being my people. 

Next week I will tell you about the upcoming group exhibitions I will be part of for the approaching festive season as well as when my studio will be open as well. I would love to see you out and about, don't worry there will be some online options as well. 

Keep fighting!

*****************
You can find my work at the following galleries.

Portobello, Edinburgh
Scotland

Glasgow
Scotland

Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

And of course around the internet on all your favourite channels!


Walls too crowded, budget tight? You can still support my work. Click the link to buy me a coffee. Thanks!

Friday, October 4, 2019

Let Go

Oops, I did it again, I am running a wee bit behind on my studio blog this week (and for those that notice, my Tuesday Studio Video Visits too). I am pretty much going to blame everything on the VISA process until I get it done (which I hope will be this week - send me love and strength, this process is pretty intense). As easy as it is to get overwhelmed with life, it is equally important for me to remember my art, the events and things I have coming up in the future, and what I offer to my community and my new country through my art. I have spent the morning catching up on my Facebook Art Page, posting recent sales and upcoming events and aim to do the same here. Thanks as always for your patience and continued support. 

Last weekend's Open Studio event was lovely and I enjoyed talking with all those that came by. I enjoy the young artists that are just starting out and wondering how they are going to figure this gig out. It's a wild ride for sure. I answered questions, try to point them towards resources and give them straight talk, as well as a little bit of hope. If I have ever talked to you at open studios and you were left wanting more help or guidance don't forget I do offer this service at a professional level and sometimes only one or two sessions can help you gain a lot of clarity. Visit my mentoring website for more information and if you are 25 or under I am happy to work with you for my concession rate. 

I would love to see you at the next Open Studio and Makers Marque event on Sunday 17th of November from 12-5pm. My doors will be open again!

Besides the fruitful conversations, I was delighted that this piece sold at open studios. 



In other news over the past week, I entered my book work for the John Byrne Award with my entry, "Have you accepted art into your life?" Their website is gorgeous and it felt good to share my books and ethos behind them on this platform. Click here to see my entry



In keeping with submitting my work, I took the same three pieces that got rejected from the RSA and submitted them to the upcoming Art in Granton exhibition and happily they got accepted! That's how we do it! Here's more about that. If you are local, please make plans to attend, the Madelvic house is a wonderful venue with a storied past. 

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

The Distance
40x50x4cm
Acrylic on canvas, £725
Megan Chapman 2019

No longer a mystery
80x100x4cm
Acrylic on canvas, £1,450
Megan Chapman 2019
*Accepted on show space allowing
My statement regarding these works for the exhibition.

I live in Granton in the lower cottages across from Wardie Bay Beach. These paintings were all painted in a temporary studio space I was invited to use during the summer. A Duke of Buccleuch owned property from 1840 across from the harbour provided me a change of scenery from my usual studio in the heart of Leith.

The sturdy old walls of the stable influenced these dark works as much as the creak of the boats, the wind, rain, and waters of the bay across the road. These paintings speak of the atmosphere and memories of the past - abstracted but grounded in my surroundings, I breathe in the stories that have been lost and found.

Art in Granton - a curated exhibition on place.
Exhibition opening times:
Friday 25 October 5-8pm.
Saturday 26 October 11-6pm
Sunday 27 October 11-5pm.

Madelvic House
Granton Park Ave.
Edinburgh
EH5 1HS

I think that's us mostly caught up. I hope to get into the studio and make some marks this week as well as film some videos. I haven't actively painted for a month now and I don't like how that feels but I also have to give myself a break with all that is going on and obviously, I am still doing art-related things. Again, I will say writing a blog and keeping track of the art things - the making, the selling, the submitting, the thinking about, the ups and downs, and the dreamings and inspirations always makes me feel better about things. This is one habit I would recommend to everyone. Thanks again for your patience and support of my work and for going on this ride with me. Until next week, keep fighting. We need you and your work. 

*****************
You can find my work at the following galleries.

Portobello, Edinburgh
Scotland

Glasgow
Scotland

Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

And of course around the internet on all your favourite channels!


Walls too crowded, budget tight? You can still support my work. Click the link to buy me a coffee. Thanks!