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! 

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

No longer a mystery

Cartoon by the brilliant abstract artist Ad Reinhardt

This month... where to start and do I dare? The quick story is that I haven't made any art since the week before Art Walk Porty. I was worn out from getting ready for the brilliant two-day event and then, of course, I was worn out from all the excitement and talking about the project for two days straight. It was a good kind of tired, mixed with enthusiasm and hope for the future and my work. I wrote about my books, made videos about my books, and then I crashed. 

I also had to rather abruptly switch gears to focus on my next visa application and study for my "Life in the UK" test. After a bit of a snafu last Thursday attempting to take my test here in Edinburgh, I took my test and passed on Monday in Glasgow. Such a relief! So now I am going through the final steps to get my application sent off and to hope for the best in this important step towards citizenship. It is a fraught and detailed process and is all-consuming. Sometimes art can and must wait. I am almost ready to return to my studio and my work with several ideas brewing in the background. 

In other news, I entered the RSA Annual Exhibition. I have done so at least a few times in the five years I have lived here and not once have I had my work accepted. Entering these types of things (and being rejected) is par for the course in this world. And as we all know painting is dead (again), abstract painting is especially dead, and concepts are king or so I've heard. Nae bother, it's only money and time. I probably should have entered my books. 

We need to create a Salon des Refusés! Perhaps just an online version first and then find a venue in the future. Automatic acceptance to all who are rejected from the RSA exhibition. Did you enter? Did you get in? Congratulations! Did you not? I am sorry but let's get together and show our work anyway! Online or in person, it deserves to be seen! Message me if you would like to have work as part of an online Salon. These are the two paintings I entered and had rejected. As Bill Murray says, "It just doesn't matter."

No longer a mystery

80x100x4cm

Acrylic on canvas,  £1,450

Megan Chapman 2019

The distance

40x50x4cm

Acrylic on canvas, £725

Megan Chapman 2019

In other, other news, My studio G23 will be open this Sunday the 29th of September from 12-5pm. Come see my books in person and a few of my new paintings at my studio at the Drill Hall. Besides the amazing Makers Marque on Sunday and Open Studios, there will be tours of the Drill Hall for Doors Open Day! I am looking forward to seeing you there!

Makers Marque

Sunday 29th September

12pm - 5pm 

Entry: £2/£1 concession 

Makers Marque is more than just a market for local traders and designers. It is a chance for people to get involved, learn a new skill and see the processes that usually take place behind closed studio doors. The event is a mix of local craftspeople demonstrating their skills and selling their unique products, plus artist and makers workshops, demonstrations and repair stations.

www.outoftheblue.org.uk/makersmarque-sep2019

Before, I let you go, just a reminder: You can find my work at the following galleries.

The Velvet Easel Gallery

Portobello, Edinburgh

Scotland

Doyle Fine Art Gallery

Glasgow

Scotland

Fenix Gallery

Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

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

Web: www.meganchapman.com

IG: instagram.com/ethermaven

FB: facebook.com/megan.chapman.artist

Twitter: twitter.com/ethermaven

And of course, at my studio G23, located at 36 Dalmeny Street Leith, Edinburgh EH6 8RG See you on Sunday from 12-5! 

Until next week, keep fighting! 

Walls too crowded, budget tight? You can still support my work. 

 

Thanks!

Books, books, books...

After a wonderful opening reception at Doyle Fine Art in Glasgow last Friday, I spent this past week working on my books. I was fretting about getting them framed and then I remembered that frames were not part of my original plan anyway. I want a table filled with yellowed paper, hard book backs, and spines unleashed. I want you to touch the art and "read" the books. I want you to feel them and pick up the stories that are meant for you. I want you to have an experience. 

As the promotion for the book market says,  “Megan paints and draws in the pages of old hardback books to tell stories collected on the wind and sea. These books are made to be handled and touched, read and collected, like any other.”

Consider yourself personally invited and make plans to attend: Art Walk Porty - The Artist's Book Market, at the Dalriada located right on the Portobello Promenade across from the sea in Edinburgh. Saturday the 7th 12-6pm and Sunday the 8th of September from 12-5pm.

In my Tuesday Video Visit this week, I talk in-depth about my thoughts behind the books and why I started them 20 years ago and why I continue with them today. While my face is not in the video this week, you get a good sense of what this project is all about. I hope you will give it a listen. 

Until next week, keep fighting!

Exhibitions, studio work, and more!

Monday came on strong with several smaller (but not small) works on canvas and a large painting was summoned up by the afternoon.

Just some of the smaller works on canvas from Monday. Here is the large piece that came later.

On Tuesday, I filmed the Tuesday Studio Video Visit and talked in-depth about my feelings regarding the large canvas. You can see it again here if you missed it.


In other news: a reminder that tonight from 6-9pm is the opening reception for John Doyle Art located at 23 Parnie Street in Glasgow. This brand new gallery aims to bring an eclectic collection of talent and skill together under one roof. I am delighted to be part of it. 

In two weeks, it will be Art Walk Porty - The Artist's Book Market, at the Dalriada located right on the Portobello Promenade across from the sea in Edinburgh. Saturday the 7th 12-6pm and Sunday the 8th of September from 12-5pm. I really need to properly turn my focus to this upcoming deadline and get my bookwork show ready and stop working on the rolled canvas works (note to self). 

Last but not least, a new patron just sent me this photo of two of my small works that have now be framed and lovingly placed in their new home. These two small works look dynamic together and I love how they’ve been framed. Word to the wise, these were picked for a song from my online studio sale. 



Until next week, may you be well, happy, and inspired. Remember that every day we paint is a victory. The world needs you and your art! Thank you.

Our Minimalist Secrets: Exhibition and Gallery News!

This week I turned my attention in the studio back to the book series. I am excited to be part of Art Walk Porty - The Artist's Book Market, next month at the Dalriada located right on the Portobello Promenade across from the sea in Edinburgh. Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of September from 11am-4pm. Click the link to read more about the participants and mark your calendars and make plans to attend. I would love to see you there. Learn more here (it's a gorgeous website so do click on that link).

I love the freedom that working in the books allows. As this is not my primary format, I feel like I can do anything and take even more risks and chances. The yellowed and torn books and scrolls can become sculptural and raw to hold our minimalist secrets.

In other exciting exhibition news, I just sent two paintings to the inaugural exhibition at a new gallery in Glasgow! John Doyle Art located at 23 Parnie Street aims to bring a new and eclectic collection of formidable artists together under one roof. I am honoured to be part of the mix. There will be an opening reception next Friday, the 23rd of August from 6-9pm. 

These are the two paintings you can enjoy and purchase there.

A delicate balance
76.2x76.2x4cm/30x30x1.5"
Acrylic, charcoal on canvas
© 2015 Megan Chapman
£1,350
Currently available through Doyle Art in Glasgow.
Contact the gallery to purchase.

Remember this place
76.2x76.2x4cm/30x30x1.5"
Acrylic, charcoal on canvas
© 2015 Megan Chapman
£1,350
Currently available through Doyle Art in Glasgow.
Contact the gallery to purchase.

As some of you may recall these two pieces were published in a wonderful article by the arts editor of SOGO Magazine at the time, fellow artist and now friend, Brian McFie. You can read the article here if you missed it the first time around. Brian will also be showing his work with Doyle Art. Again, I am delighted to be showing in a gallery in Glasgow. This is another first for me!

Thanks to everyone who reads my blog, follows and supports my work on the various forms of social media, and has supported my work in all the various brick and mortar galleries along the way. Thank you!