This gift remains

Little Edie Flag Dance, Grey Gardens, Maysles Brothers' Film 1976

It's the 4th of July and while not patriotic, it is still an atmosphere that I can easily recall: a hot, sticky, Arkansas summer. Picnic tables at the park, Mom's amazing BBQ baked beans, hot dogs, and watching the country club's fireworks from a distance at the picnic table on the side of Mt. Sequoyah, and then later the fireworks at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Bottle Rockets (and getting hit in the neck with a bottle rocket - thanks, Sean). The smell of burning snakes (not real snakes) as they undulated on the pavement. A feeling of a bit more freedom and extra wildness, walking the hot streets in the neighborhood to the pool with my friend, Annie. Vivid summer memories of childhood. 

But today, my brain has other plans—today it feels like the hashbrowns at the Waffle House (another American institution). Today, I am scattered, smothered, and covered... if you know, you know. This 4th of July I am anxious, angry, and fretful.

Today, the sky is grey and featureless as little Edie from Grey Gardens does her perpetual flag dance, frozen in time on my computer screen. Rain starts to fall on the pane of the tilted open window and I am a bit cold and far from home and the people I love. 

The US government did a bad, bad thing yesterday, and it all feels a bit much. I soothe myself by looking at and crying over Bruegel paintings. Yes, really. It's all right there. The paintings of Bruegel and Bosch were my version of Where's Waldo. Certain paintings become touchstones for grounding. These paintings serve as kinship and provide strength and a knowing. Like holding up a mirror passed through the family for decades—all your people have gazed in the same glass, and they are still there with you now.

The Triumph of Death, oil on panel c. 1562
117 cm × 162 cm (46 in × 63.8 in) Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Museo del Prado, Madrid

In these hard and strange times, I am so grateful to have this type of relationship with art. To be able to slow down and just go into a painting, to know a painting, to feel the support of a painting, to marvel and dream over a painting. To feel seen and known by a painting and to know it in return. It's a rare gift that I credit my parents for making  available to me through the prints on the walls and the books on the shelves in our little home in Arkansas.

No matter where I am or what happens, this gift remains. 

I still shake

Above the old studio sink

Hello Dear Readers, Friday finds us again.

Thank you for spending some time with me in a world that is always pulling at your attention and lifeforce. Last week's post seemed to be a popular one, and I am glad it resonated. 

This hasn't been a great week, but there have still been moments of beauty and laughter, as well as tears. I took time for it all.

I have decided that I must approach things differently. It's once again time to reframe, change, embrace, and accept. Of course, it is always this time unless one is fighting against the very nature of life. I am actually pretty good at doing this - I can be pretty stubborn. I am a fixer and an optimist, a hard worker and much of the time, a black and white thinker. These qualities can serve me well to a point and these traits can also make things harder than necessary. I embrace my hardwired tendencies and breathe into what I can soften and release. 

This week, I walked more and listened to nature's lessons. 

As I think many of you have gathered, my art "career" is not the same as it once was, my feelings and motivations towards it have changed a lot since the pandemic as well as from all I have learned through my involvement with the Scottish Artists Union. I no longer work the same way as I did. Some of this is okay with me and some of it, is not. 

The arts (in all of its forms) was such a huge part of who I was as a child, how I was raised, what I valued and how I perceived my value. I credit art with "rewiring" my brain, giving me a purpose, and helping me make sense of the world and my place in it. Art built my confidence and gave me a shorthand language to help me find others that I could understand and who would understand me. Art supported me emotionally, spiritually, sometimes financially, and gave me a sense of community. 

Most of my friends are artists or in creative fields of practice and many of them have also changed the way they work. We talk about it differently now, in a wistful way. Longing for something that was lost. Back before algorithms, likes, and shares - or back to when likes and shares still equaled opportunities and income. Back before we realised how much all the open calls were costing us, before we realised the labour involved in pursuing speculative opportunities that seemed to generate income for everyone but the artists. Back when we had that hungry energy when we were younger. 

How do we peel it all back and begin again? What systems need creating to make it work? What is the goal now? How do you keep expressing and creating when you are the only audience for your work and your storage space and finances are limited? How do you remain committed to the creative practice when the world seems committed to misunderstanding it and you? 

How do you ignore the pressures of society to protect the tiny flame within?

I think you tell the truth. I think you keep showing up, even if showing up looks different now. I think you keep walking in nature, and realising the value of all things that feed the creative work. I think you get quiet and maybe a little angry. 

And you create to please yourself, to calm, soothe, explore, excavate and exorcise. I think you meditate and cry and limit the bullshit from taking root. 

Why would the path look the same as it did five, ten, or twenty five years ago? It wouldn't. We've changed, the world has changed, the internet has changed, galleries have changed, motivations have changed and this is simply the nature of things. 

Art is the constant, even in fits and starts. From youth to now, I think about it, write about it, talk about it, work around it, create it, cry and worry over it, and feel its exaltation.

I let go of what was, accept what is, and do not fear the future, but I still shake.

A shift in the weather

Time folds in on itself

Co-Star Mic Drop 

I am having frequent migraines, I am working more hours than usual, and there is still never enough time to get things done. My life's work is largely ignored and my anxiety grows. I am avoiding the news because I can't think about war.

Time folds in on itself - how did we all get so old. 

I slept until my alarm chimed bird sounds at 7am. This is a rare occurrence.

My dreams were wild but not memorable, only the feeling and flashes of colour left behind. This is my weekend now, time to recover and regroup but I already feel the weight of obligation and the plans I made for myself. 

I am tired and on shaky ground, yet I will it solid. As I type these dour words I think, what a bummer of an intro, surely this can't stand. I will delete and share the beauty and lightness that I also found this week. Because I can always find it.

If resilience is a curse, I have been hexed. 

Remember too, this place is a creative exercise. Perhaps the only creativity I will experience in the week. I like putting words together. 

The words are partly crafted from the music playing in my big headphones, Marconi Union, Brian Eno, Hammock, Nils Frahm - icy and atmospheric on a warm June morning. Music for introspection - like I need any encouragement. 

I want to write, I think you are beautiful. But who am I thinking of, I do not know. 

I think you are beautiful. 

I walked. I watched a show everyone is talking about. I listened to an audiobook. I have sat in the garden in the sun, knee deep in buttercups and daisies, punctuated by poppies and foxgloves. I am going to see live music on Sunday and Monday. I have talked to friends - human and the furry kind and I have harvested fresh spinach.

I have made good food and healthy drinks, enjoyed naps, yoga and breathing exercises. See what I am doing? I can't help it. 

If resilience is a curse, I have been hexed. 

Susumu Yokota comes on my headphones - glorious. I was trying to be reminded of this album. There are no accidents. 

and I still think you are beautiful.

Power to the people!

wednesday's alright if you like iced matcha

Hello Dear Readers (and you are dear),

Here we are on Friday the 13th, the sky is grey and the air is very warm, a bit muggy even. If I was in Arkansas, I would think we are about to have a storm. All my windows are open and I am drinking my matcha iced. This song is on repeat. So that's the scene, it's 7:06 in the morning.

I am pretty stoked to have made it through the week. It was a hard one, but there were many beautiful moments. I even took a minute to draw and have decided I like Neocolor II Aquarelle wax pastels by Caran d'Ache. I picked up 2 colours back in March for my birthday, but didn't think much of them at first, but now I understand why they have so many fans. I just did a quick sketch on a piece of cardboard, and felt instant relief. Some days (especially with a job) it's so easy to do nothing, when even 5 minutes can really make a difference. It's so important to remember this. It doesn't have to be "good" and it doesn't have to feel "resolved" it just needs to be. Action is where it is at!

mother as a girl

In other news, I took a walk that was particularly beautiful, a feast for the senses. I think the experience was heightened because I really needed it to combat the stress I was feeling. To just give up and move through the air and take it all in was so comforting.

In a world gone mad, I trust the birds, the trees, and the dappled light. I trust the water and the wind. The birds were singing loudly, sending messages out through the trees overhead. The flowers nodded in agreement and the air felt like velvet. 

poppy says hello

The highlight of my work week was speaking with a group of artists at Embassy Gallery in Edinburgh as part of their Emerging Strategies programme. 

"A 9 month programme of artist workshops, talks and participatory sessions exploring professional practice with a selected co-hort. Covering everything from art activism, creative criticism, collective working, curation, getting projects off the ground, hands on skills and freelancer basics."

I was happy to be asked by SAU learning team colleagues, Ben and Emily, to join them for part of this workshop and to speak about common issues that freelancers face and how to protect themselves by using contracts, rates of pay, and providing them with some additional resources.

We met at the basement gallery, and as it was a beautiful day, we walked over to nearby Gayfield square to sit in the grass. I gave an hour-long talk followed by a thoughtful discussion. I really love this type of hands on, public speaking work - engaging with artists to encourage and inform, is my love language. 

It was also great to spend an extended period of time in the flesh with my amazing co-workers as we rarely have the opportunity. 

I went to sleep feeling fulfilled and I woke up happy.

As seen on the wall at Embassy gallery

In other, other news, if you are in America tomorrow and are able, please take to the streets for the No Kings protests. Watching the news of the past week has been horrific and my heart and spirit are with you. Keep fighting!

Power to the people!

This is the best costume for the day

£2 well spent looks like this

After last week's newtongrange moment, I spent the weekend doing nothing much at all. I met a pal at the local car boot sale on Sunday and found some perfect antique teaspoons (I have a thing for old silverplate - I mean a real thing - I have said in the past if I ever got a tattoo it would be of an old fork or spoon and maybe a rickety chair). Anyway, I took it pretty easy as I was still recovering from the after effects of the previous week's migraines. 

I could feel the edge of frustration creeping up as my newest routines had been slightly derailed by the headaches. It was a busy week at work, but I did manage some creative time - just a few moments of weirdness but it's good for the soul. 

It was one of those frustrating moments, where the day had been fine but dull and that edge was creeping up. All of the sudden I was in the bathroom putting on red lipstick like Robert Smith - you know, not inline with my lips - too much product and a bit deranged like an old hollywood meltdown. It's nice to do things "wrong" especially if you are always trying to get it right. I then filled in my eyebrows - the way they were before I mistakenly plucked them in my 30s for the first time. I haven't done a thing to them since 2018 but they don't grow back the same after you've fucked with them, so they are spare in parts. I back combed my short hair like I did in hair school and put on a headband. It's really good to do something slightly out of character and just for the hell of it. I thought about all the times I don't do this. I mean this was standard fare in junior high and high school for me, but then that became a costume like any other, so eventually I stopped with it all. 

"Just getting through life" can make for a pretty boring but necessary costume. So it was nice to have a bit of a play. Play is a forgotten art for adults - think about the way we dress, the face we put on - often so ordinary. I wear "this" but not "that." I couldn't possibly make a change now because this is "me" and that is not. 

Anyway, I guess I was having a very mild Cindy Sherman moment so I decided to take some snaps (the adult voice says how vain, how 2009, and what is the point of all of this). The child says, because I am here, I exist, and it's fun. So I did, and the child was happy. 

With action comes power (or at least a change in perspective or a break from inertia). 

Daily Life Costume

A bit extra for dull days

Photographic expansion 

Double exposure 

Living my best life in multiple exposures

In street finding news, a fully functional bicycle in great condition was put in my path this week.Thank you to the generous soul who clearly marked it, "free and it works!" before abandoning it in the alley. I went for a ride after I got off work yesterday and again, the child was happy. 

It's okay to play when the world is on fire.

Until next week, you know what to do...

PS. Thanks to everyone who makes this blog what it is. I am so glad to be back.

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.

My favourite place

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

I went to my favourite place in Edinburgh, Warriston Cemetery. This was a monumental day (no pun intended). Something shifted this week. I sat on a bench and looked over the cemetery and felt joy. The birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, everything was fresh, verdant, and overgrown. Perfectly disheveled and comforting, the sun was glorious and I felt reborn. Suddenly, I had ideas, goals, dreams, and most importantly some structure and support. 

You can read next week's post here.

I work, I walk, I protest

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

This week I feel pretty disheartened by what is going on in the world. I work, I walk, I try to focus on the cherry blossoms.

I also protest.

I am not quite done with the foods that make me feel poorly, I eat my weight in hot crossed buns and a vegan chocolate bunny... soon, soon. I am feeling very overwhelmed by all the art that surrounds me and probably overwhelmed in general.

You can read next week's post here.

Groundwork

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

I enjoy the flowers and walking in Edinburgh in the springtime. I take photos of the shadows and light. At this point, the drawing stops. After Peikko's brilliant visit I realised something. I write my epiphany on a sticky note and post it where I can see it. 

What does this structure and support look like? I am not yet sure, but I start putting parts of it into place. 

I met up with my dear pal, Julia to return to the Fruitmarket for a second viewing. We sit and talk in front of the bold emotive paintings. She finds plenty within the paintings as well. 

Copyright Portia Zvavahera

Afterwards, we sit in a lovely cafe feeling like tourists. This may be my last grief eating cake session for a while... 

We enjoy the view and seem to lay groundwork for some changes. We enjoy a photography exhibition "After the end of History" British Working Class Photography 1989 – 2024 at Stills afterwards. Julia and I are good at rambling around town exploring and just talking it all out. Julia writes a blog as well and is a wonderful artist, draftsperson, and friend. Find her blog here.

You can read next week's post here.