Broken computers and new small works

This week started off okay but then went to shite around midweek with a computer failure. It really made me realise how much I loathe computers and all the digital detritus we acquire and create. I take a hell of a lot of photos. Computers end up like journals for me. I often start just writing in the middle of a new notebook, random and cryptic words, notations, thoughts. I circle things, I write down dates and numbers and then I walk away, only to start again somewhere else in the notebook, probably writing the same thing again and again. I imagine my computer files stretched across so many dead or dying hard drives, perhaps across continents and seas.

I also realised I don't have to be an expert at all of this. I do pretty well with a few things and that's probably enough. Now, if I could just create a basic rudimentary system that works for me I'll be fine. 

Isn't that what we are all trying to do, just find our place within the frameworks of a basic system. I need wiggle room and a bit of space for wild abandon too. I know I need systems but I don't really like them too much. 

I am sitting in front of the window, the sun is warm on one of my arms, I watch my exhausted daffodils catch the wind, the grape hyacinths are coming up now in the window box. I am listening to concentration music on my computer - drones to keep the brain waves in check. 

I had an order for a print yesterday when I woke up from an old friend in Seattle. Always thankful for the support and delighted for the order. Check out my kofi shop if you haven't in a while. 

And in other news, I happened to paint five new small works this week. Can you imagine? I certainly didn't but somehow I have. These are on 5x7" mixed media on canvas boards. You can see the weave of the canvas in the photos, these wee beauties pack a punch. 

From there to here
mixed media on canvas board
5x7"/13x18cm
©2021 Megan Chapman
£55 with free shipping in the UK
Message me to claim (not in my shop yet)

Ties that bind
mixed media on canvas board
5x7"/13x18cm
©2021 Megan Chapman
£55 with free shipping in the UK
Message me to claim (not in my shop yet)

Your wild terrain
mixed media on canvas board
7x5"/18x13cm
©2021 Megan Chapman
£55 with free shipping in the UK
Message me to claim (not in my shop yet)

Lay it down
mixed media on canvas board
7x5"/18x13cm
©2021 Megan Chapman
£55 with free shipping in the UK
Message me to claim (not in my shop yet)

Thunder and the roar
mixed media on canvas board
5x7"/13x18cm
©2021 Megan Chapman
£55 with free shipping in the UK
Message me to claim (not in my shop yet)

And that's all I have for you this week. Thank you for stopping by and for supporting my work. Take good care of yourself. 

Reflection: Moving forward while staying put

One year this week. 

I basically decided it was all getting serious on March 13th last year and went into lockdown before the government called it.

I have only gone into the post office to post art a few times (thankfully now they come to the house to collect for a small fee). I visited a few small markets for necessities on only a few occasions. I have been into my studio only four times in the past year and mostly when the virus levels were lower last summer and early autumn. I have met with a couple of friends in gardens, a friend a few times in a park, and a friend a few times for walks or a quick walking chat when they were in the neighbourhood. I have worn a mask to answer the door and I still wash the groceries (that are now delivered) and my hands after taking a walk or after handling anything from the outside world. 

Isn't it wild? We have learned so many new ways of being in a relatively short span of time. I am curious how some of us managed to move forward while staying put, how we maintained friendships, careers, and hopefully basic mental and physical health. I know I am one of the lucky ones, my status as a self-employed artist is a weird place to start this journey but in many ways, probably made this whole experience easier. I could more easily follow the rules, I could stay at home. I was eligible for funding and support through government agencies and arts organisations and financial help from my studio building. My patrons and supporters stepped up and helped to keep my studio rent paid, kept me in materials, and the utilities on by supporting my work through Ko-fi and beyond. Thank you!

Some wonderful opportunities have come my way during this strange year as well. I became much more involved in attending events hosted by the Scottish Artists Union of which I am a proud member. I also joined SCAN (Scottish Contemporary Art Network) during this time. I am currently a member of the women's abstract art collective, Abstractionistas, which was founded during the pandemic. I have been interviewed by P3DRO and have been the recipient of the Butterbiggens Prize and featured on their site. 

Of course, exhibitions were different during this time as in-person exhibitions were cancelled and changed to online or partially online depending on the restrictions at the time. Artist talks and open studios were cancelled as well. 

My work has been part of the following exhibitions:

• 2020 132nd Annual Paisley Art Institute Exhibition, Paisley, Scotland (Online)
• 2020 The Space Between, Helensburgh Art Hub, Helensburgh, Scotland (Online)
• 2020 A Place to Breathe, Irving Gallery, Oxford, England (My work is still available)
• 2020 First Impressions, Solo Gallery, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders (My work is still available)
• 2020 Where the Shadows Come to Play, The Velvet Easel Gallery, Portobello, Edinburgh

My studio at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall is now part of the Leith Late Virtual Tours culture map of Edinburgh thanks to the commission by Leith Late. Next month, in April, I will join the Granton Hub as a volunteer member of the arts subgroup to contribute ideas and help run events in their arts programme. I am really looking forward to this. 

So while we have been isolated, there has been community, opportunity, more funding and a wider conversation on the importance of mental health and social care. The conversation on Universal Basic Income has inched ever forward as well. This is all good. There was so much loss, stress, and worry during this time and it still continues. It will take a while for us all to be vaccinated so that we can forge a new normal. Things have been added to our lives and things have been taken and have fallen away. 

I know today I am bone tired and weary as I look back and yet I am so fortunate. I also know that I have walked for miles and miles and have seen beautiful things and all the while I made art. This curious compulsion that continues to see me through, this practice that gives me voice and identity through thick and thin. I am so grateful for charcoal, paper, and paint. I am so grateful for my hands, heart, and for you. You, the ones that are still here and the ones that have faded away from my life or are on another plane. I am so grateful to you.

The sun comes in the windows as I type, I have a big glass of water - my body says it needs about twenty more and a lot of quiet time. Soon the paper and charcoal will be calling me again and we have a lot to say. 

Until next week, take care. Keep fighting, we need you here and all the gifts you bring. 

Thank you. 

A line is better out than in

I had a lovely birthday last Saturday and so I decided to continue the fun and take the past week off. As much as an artist takes a week off. It was more a timeout from walking and running. Perhaps taking off from the outside world just a bit. I still took a few gentle walks and did a bit of yoga. I attended an art collective meeting and had in-depth and meaningful conversations with other artists in my circle. I applied for a volunteer position, started a bit of art, posted some art to a buyer, promoted my work across social media, bought a bit of art, cheered some artists on, signed a petition for Universal Basic Income, and here I am writing my blog. 

This week I also cried and was angry over the fear and danger women face in the world. I will hold vigil tomorrow for women everywhere.

 I'd like to run through the forest and throw rocks. I'd like to smash and kick the air. 

I'd like to scream from my guts until it shakes the trees.

Buy this print

A line is better out than in...

That's all I have for you this week. Thanks as always to my patrons and supporters.

Take good care out there.

Our family tree made of charcoal dust. Interview out now!

Accidental portrait #16
mixed media
20x16" on heavyweight 250gsm linen textured paper. 

The original has sold. 
Prints of this piece are available in my Ko-fi shop: https://ko-fi.com/s/c157f20e2f

Last week I wrote in my studio blog that an interview was imminent, well it was published on Monday night! 

READ

I am very fortunate to have been interviewed by Peter Goodbody for P3DRO, a wonderful music and culture site based in England. A simple interview of 13 questions turned into something much more far-reaching and personal than I expected. I have to say this is one of my most favourite interviews to date. I really enjoyed knowing that it was going to be published on a mostly music-driven site, as music is so important to me and my process. I felt like I could communicate more effusively about the music connection to my art and be more completely myself- it was a more holistic interview. It all came together so well, it felt like a gift. 

I spent Monday night sharing it across social media accounts trying to reach the near and far. If you missed it or haven't read it yet, please do. This one is special to me and it would mean a lot. 

Read it here: https://p3dro.net/2021/03/01/megan-chapman-this-is-our-family-tree-made-of-charcoal-dust/

Thank you, Peter, for your brilliant questions and for this wonderful opportunity. 

Accidental portrait #17
mixed media
20x16" on heavyweight 250gsm linen textured paper. 

The original has sold. 
Prints of this piece are available in my Ko-fi shop: https://ko-fi.com/s/4704f6c20c

In other news, I have updated my ko-fi shop with new descriptions for many of my affordable works on paper. I'm trying to give you more of an experience as you view these works online as if you were talking to me at an open studio event. I hope you will take another look if you haven't visited in a while.

Gutless sketch #5/ Tell me how you really feel print #3
A3 size/11.7x16.5”
200 gsm heavyweight acid-free cartridge paper
2020
Both the original and prints are available in my Ko-fi shop. 
Print: https://ko-fi.com/s/63af21620b

Original: https://ko-fi.com/s/e2aea2ff51

Tomorrow is my birthday. It is the last one in my 40s and it is during lockdown. I am looking forward to taking a walk and speaking with friends and family near and far on the computer. I have a fresh bouquet of daffodils about to bloom in the house and my window boxes are exploding in the same fresh yellow. The Forth wildly crashes on the wee beach across the road. My cat, Theo sits by me looking out the window and I have plenty of tea. I am so very fortunate. 

Okay 49, I am looking at you squarely. I set an intention to live in compassionate simplicity along with forward movement peppered in joy. This sounds good to me.

Thank you for being part of all of this.