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The Great Wave off Kanagawa 24.6 cm × 36.5 cm (9.7 in × 14.4 in) Katsushika Hokusai, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public Domain |
Hello dear readers,
How are you doing? If you are anything like me you may feel like you exhaled for the first time in two years, your shoulders have released, and your blood pressure has dropped considerably. Thank goodness the American people - especially black women, (thank you, thank you, thank you), organised and got out the vote for the Democrats. The people do still indeed have the power and can effectively fight back against the billionaires, tech bros, and oligarchs. America is back - and it's a new dawn. All the dinosaurs (and I am looking across the parties) need to step aside and let this beautiful new voice for America do it's thing. Y'all are beautiful- all the joy shared from Texas to Michigan and across the country was a sight for sore eyes. It took me back to 2008. I am am over the moon and have some hope for a change. The relief is palpable. I may live in Scotland but there is no doubt, I am American made.
In art news, things are percolating in the studio this week as well. I am telling y'all, it has been a good week - and I am so grateful.
This past weekend I spent some time in my studio working on two larger canvases (70x50cm) by painting over some works in progress that didn't quite jell. It felt so good to be up before dawn with my big headphones on jumping around and painting. I am not expecting much - just warming up the motor and getting accustomed to the vibes. Remembering again for the billionth time.
I also ordered some new materials for the first time in a while. This is a big deal, as I have been pretty stuck - frozen and unsure of where things stood in my art world. I was feeling pretty distraught about it really - like I had abandoned it or it had abandoned me. I thought I might even be bitter - but then I realised I was grieving the loss of many aspects of my creative practice.
Aspects such as motivation, inspiration, community, exhibitions, and all the conversations that take place in front of art that sometimes lead to sales and other opportunities - but mostly just being seen and understood. I am a different person when I get to talk about art. The art enjoys and needs an audience, and so do I. So now that that's clear, I can move forward.
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| Cutting through the Noise mixed media on canvas, 20x25cm mounted © 2021 Megan Chapman SOLD |
And there's more! I sold a wee piece from my October series to a lovely collector in Glasgow. Glasgow folks have always supported my art from when I first showed up in Scotland back in 2014. Thank you for seeing me and appreciating what I am trying to do. I love all my supporters of course, but the people really do make Glasgow.
And the sale just happened to pay for the materials I purchased. So that's a sign - keep going, stay the course - I know how this magic works, but it's so easy to forget.
So it's been a wild week with a bit of hope, a bit of art and a bit of everything I love and need. Thanks for being part of it.
Keep fighting and fingers crossed for Mississippi.
