Adventures in art and life!

On the site of the National Mining Museum Scotland

Hello Dear Readers!

It's time once again for the Friday Studio Blog! In real time no less, and on schedule!

Thank you to everyone who has spent some time catching up on my 15 backdated entries. In case you missed them, those entries started here and ended here. It was a real labour of love to catch up on my blog and I appreciate those who invested some of their time reading up on the good, sad, and art related posts. Thank you.

This week finds me recovering from back to back migraines that pretty much ran the show from Tuesday - Thursday but finally by Friday I was very tentatively able to get out for a wee art adventure!

But before we get to today, I want to mention the exhibition launch that I attended last night online for In Tension by members of Neuk Collective at Fife Contemporary. 

From the Fife Contemporary website: "In Tension is an online exhibition produced in collaboration with 16 neurodivergent artists from Neuk Collective. Encapsulating the divide felt by many neurodivergent artists between multiple contradicting factors, the exhibition explores the balance between external pressures and the need to find space where a creative, neurodivergent brain can make work and flourish." 

After a week of not feeling my best, it was really lovely to spend an hour being treated to conversations from some of the participating artists and a taster of some of the work featured online from the comfort of my home. I highly recommend that you all visit the online exhibition, In Tension, here. Congratulations go out to everyone involved. 

Now on to today's adventure. I got the tram to Waverley and then the train to Newtongrange to meet up with my pal and fellow artist, Julia Laing! It was delightful to spend time in Julia's studio and environs. I stood in her sunny kitchen as she made our lunch and enjoyed the light and atmosphere - I was suddenly feeling California vibes in Newtongrange! 

After our garden lunch I asked if we could sit in her enticing studio for a cup of tea. I love nothing more than sitting at a table with another artist in their studio space. Julia's studio is a functional and bright space bursting with colour, texture, and possibilities, much like her art! It was great to see her recent drawings in person (and meet the subjects). 

Julia graciously allowed me to take a few snapshots of her studio as well as her portrait. I have been wanting to take more pictures of my friends these days. So rather than being quiet about it, I am gently asking and I am so glad Julia agreed. 

Julia

It was lovely to see where all the magic happens - I left Newtongrange feeling inspired and reinvigorated. Once I returned home, I texted Julia to say I felt 100% better than before our meet up. I believe that's the power of adventures, art, and friends!

Here's to more of that this summer and to wild creative spaces, new ideas, and joy!
Because why the hell not.

Until next week, keep fighting!

And in case you are wondering what I have been listening to on my big headphones on repeat this week, it's Always Then by The KVB. Enjoy.

Here's to whatever comes next

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

I kept spray fixing through the weekend and ran out of the 3 cans of fixative I bought on Friday from Cass Art and made another trip to purchase 3 more cans on Tuesday morning bright and early. I also treated myself to another matcha with a view, because why shouldn't a Tuesday feel as good as a Friday?

After all, I was getting over a major hurdle, working my arse off to get caught up, and that surely warranted a wee celebratory moment. I also went to a shop nearby to get some storage boxes for the fixed pieces to protect them from dust and hide them from my sight. 

As luck would have it, last week I found a rusted metal cart that someone had left out in the street. If you don't already know this about me, I have really good "street finds" luck. I just knew with a clean up, reassembly, and some spray paint this found cart would be perfect for my needs. And it was.

Besides, spray fixing, painting found carts, and planning to catch up on my blog (which I have now done - miracle of miracles!!) I continue to enjoy my walks, seeing my pals, working, and taking better care of myself. I even learned how to make my own matcha lattes (I might be a bit obsessed).

Now that my paper pieces are all fixed, I am now organising them and planning on how I want to share them and make them available for you all. One of my big realisations is how much I have missed talking and sharing my art with you. Social media makes it pretty impossible these days, so new ideas must be hatched. Good thing a friend has me well stocked with matcha... 

Thank you for your patience and for being here now. I haven't let myself get that far behind on my blog in ages and ages. I know I had every reason to let it slide, but I am so glad to be back on track. 

Here's to whatever comes next. Keep fighting and I will too. 
Love and gratitude for you and the gifts you bring.

See you next Friday! 

The beginnings of a tentative plan

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

On Monday, I had some big thoughts about my art career. I am not going to get into them in depth but I will say it was a tearful and fraught conversation that needed to happen. It lit a fire under me and fell into the category of "structure and support" that I mentioned a few blogs back. 

I have been completely overwhelmed with all the tasks involved in managing the amount of art I have created. Sometimes when the levee breaks, with it comes a realisation and the beginnings of a tentative plan. 

I had convinced myself that the paper I had created hundreds of drawings on was too delicate to be spray fixed, making storing or maintaining these works feel impossible. But, it turns out the paper wasn't too delicate at all and so began the process of spraying them. I had some spray fix on hand and then ordered some more, a different brand but from a reputable company, but it was awful stuff, extremely noxious and didn't "fix" the dry media I had used at all. My new found momentum had been thwarted and I was upset that I was out £30. This is the kind of shit that at times makes me become inert. However, in this instance, I was able to contact the company, get a full refund and go to a local Cass Art and buy exactly what I needed and get a 10% discount with my SAU membership (just saying). I was so relieved!

As a reward, I treated myself to a perfect oat matcha while marveling at the view of gorgeous Edinburgh. The stars had aligned yet again. I was working as an artist. I was going to art supply stores, spray fixing art, and making progress. It felt good.

You can read next week's post here.

It's getting better

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

This week I went to another stellar film offering from Duncan Place and Community Cinema. This is a powerful and deceptively quiet film - but the message is deafening. If it comes near you, see it!

I took a photo of a pigeon sunning itself on my window ledge in the evening light. Due the reflections from the window it produced an ethereal image.

At this point (well actually a few weeks back) I have stopped all the grief eating and and the sun, flowers, and trees and seeing my pals and enjoying the city's culture is really helping me to be more active and do all the things that I know make me feel happier and healthier. I am not saying it's a walk in the park, but it's getting better.

I am enjoying walking and taking photographs, sorry there hasn't been any new art on here, but rest assured there's loads of art you haven't seen yet... but more on that soon.

Sunshine on Leith

My pal Julia and I had one of our rambles again as well and enjoyed art offerings and this fabulous graveyard in Leith.

I hope you are doing well and staying strong. I know it is hard out there right now. Keep fighting. Thank you for being here.

You can read next week's post here.

Cosmic

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

This was a full and varied week! 

For those of you who don't already know, I am the Rep Coordinator & Caseworker for the Scottish Artists Union. My (now) former colleague Janie Nicoll (previous SAU Campaigns Manager) and I were recently interviewed by the Vandal Factory for their podcast episode #32 all about Freelancers. Please give it a listen to learn more about what the SAU does on behalf of our members and then if you haven't already, join your union!

Listen here

"This is the full interview with Janie Nicoll and Megan Chapman, visual artists and organisers for the Scottish Artists Union. An edited version first appeared in episode #32. SAU is the representative voice for visual and applied artists in Scotland and is one of the largest arts membership organisations in the country. We discuss the needs of the membership and empowering and connecting self-employed freelancers. Listen to episode #32 for more conversations from across the UK about self-employed life."

199th RSA Annual Exhibition

Then later this week, I was invited to attend the RSA private view by my SAU colleague and fellow Rep, Leon Patchett as both he and his partner Beti Bricelj had brilliant work in the exhibition. They stay up in the highlands so it was great to see them in Edinburgh. My new pal and artist Anthea Moys, joined us for the fun as well. We all had a hoot. 

Then on Saturday, I met up with my dear pal, the brilliant writer, Ever Dundas to explore a secret (ish) garden and have an overdue catch up. It was a balm for the soul - I felt like I went on a 2 hour retreat. It was so exciting to explore a tucked away garden behind a gate in the city centre with Ever. It really gave me a boost!

Then on Sunday, there were flowers everywhere and I found £5 on a deserted street and took it to the local car boot sale and found exactly what I was looking for.

Everything felt a bit cosmic.

You can read next week's post here.