My line dances through it all

Solidly in the centre

mixed media on paper

29.7 x 42 cm (11.69 x 16.54 in)

Sold

This month we are continuing to take a deep dive into my love of working on paper (see last week's post if you missed it)

Working on paper has a rich history and has been part of my art practice since the beginning. Its versatility as well as its ability to be easily preserved and displayed, as well as transported, make paper one of the first materials I reach for. The tooth and texture pull me in. The sound of the brush or pencil across it is one of my favourite things. Each type of paper has its own song and inspires the work.

A sequence of webs #3
mixed media on paper
29.7 x 42 cm (11.69 x 16.54 in)
£125

This is no child’s dance
No crayon across a blank page
It was born from there
Kept alive by sheer will
and stubbornness
It was encouraged by my mother
and father
It was grown by teachers, mentors, and even thieves

You don’t have to understand it
to feel it
You don’t need to have lived it
to know it
A scroll - a poem, a dedication, a prayer, a song…
My line dances through it all

A sequence of webs #1
mixed media on paper
29.7 x 42 cm (11.69 x 16.54 in)
£125

This piece above is all about the calming direct energy of the white stroke through the earthy noise and lines in the background. Like a ribbon or rope guiding us in or pulling us out on top. Perhaps it is a wave we are riding through life. If you look at the painting below, "A sequence of webs number 2". You can compare and contrast the two pieces and see how they are different chapters of the same tale.

A sequence of webs #2
mixed media on paper
29.7 x 42 cm (11.69 x 16.54 in)
Sold

The paintings often know the story long before I do.

Thanks for joining me this week here on the studio blog. Take care out there. 

Consider this the hint of the century

Oh, life... (cue the R.E.M song) 

There was no Tuesday Studio Video Visit this week and this might barely count as a blog (no, it counts). 

On Sunday I went for a walk towards Cramond with my pal James, on Sunday night Edinburgh (and much of the UK) was treated to the Northern Lights and in the city with all the light pollution that is a big deal. Here's a picture I took from the wee beach across the road. It was reassuring to know these dancing colours were out there in the sky over the north sea. 

I don't remember much about Monday and on Tuesday, Theo spent the whole day at the vet on IV fluids. I didn't talk to Jennifer as we usually do that day but I did talk to another creative dynamo about a possible environmentally friendly collaboration/commission project. More on that hopefully in the near future. 

On Wednesday, I shared some older works from my Artwork Archive (pictured above) on social media, trying to do a bit of creative record-keeping. I wrote:

"Do you live with some of these pieces? PLEASE LET ME KNOW - there is a wee comment icon at the top of each painting that will easily send me a message. *I'd like to take it a step further, if you can remember how you acquired the painting that would be grand.* And if you don't live with these paintings - enjoy looking back at these various series of my work from long ago. PS. If you used to live with the painting and sold it - passed it on etc. I would love to know that too. Here is the link if you would enjoy looking back at some of my older works and of course if you happen to live with one or more of these pieces or if you used to, please let me know." Click this link to view: https://www.artworkarchive.com/rooms/megan-chapman/ea4e5a

I think it was also on Wednesday that I moved my schedule around to accommodate the second part of the Scottish Artists Union Rep training that will start up again next Thursday. As you may recall last year I took part in Union Rep training and really enjoyed it and I look forward to completing the training so I can be of service to my fellow union members and art workers in the community. 

Thursday came and went and today I enjoyed a long chat with my dear friend and fellow artist Adelaide Shalhope. We have been enjoying talking about art for about 3 years now. I always feel better after talking to Adelaide. Always uplifted and inspired - we have expansive talks - leaving few stones unturned. Check out her work - I absolutely love it. 

There is a lot going on in the background of my life just now and I am holding many emotions. Spring is here, with new beginnings and flowers and also forks in the road. Sending love to all beings navigating this life.

Oh, and I was told to let you know that if you are in the UK it is free shipping weekend on T-shirts and Totes from my shop! This means that customers can get free UK shipping on all orders in my shop from 9am on Friday to midnight on Sunday. Get yours now!

https://gutlessapparel.teemill.com/

PS. Monday is my birthday. Feel like buying me a coffee in celebration? Go here :) Thanks!

Permission to rest

A work in progress and my studio from back in the day. Look at all those canvases. 

This week got away from me or did it? 

I attended two union meetings, mentored a brilliant artist, had a doctor's appointment, went to my studio for a bit of a clear out, received some work back from a gallery, had a video chat with an artist pal about artists' working conditions, and recorded my Tuesday Video Visit. 

And then I took it easy - I have permission to rest. I finished watching Station 11 and tonight is the season finale of Severance - no spoilers! Severance is probably one of my favourite programmes since the first season of Twin Peaks. Highly recommend. 

I'm still not painting much this year - and it's already April. I am not sure I have ever gone this long without making new work. I think I am okay with it. I think much of my previous work was fueled by internalised capitalism and built upon a foundation of doubt and fear. That wee truth bomb is brought to you by the union and a lot of personal work. The good news is that I don't have to work like that anymore.

However, I will say, I have been seeing flashes of work in my mind's eye again lately and that's always exciting. There's a new plan for the studio at the drill hall afoot which could be beneficial, fun, and see me working there a bit more soon as well... I will keep you posted. 

Here's the Tuesday Studio Video Visit if you missed it. A very general demystification of art exhibitions and galleries - and just a few things to think about. 

I will leave you with a reminder of the Abstractionistas Exhibition News: 

Current:
Awakenings, Detour Espresso, 

39 Argyle Place, Marchmont, Edinburgh until April 17th.
M-F 9-4pm and Sat-Sun 10-4pm 

Future:

Inception, Dalkeith Palace, 

Dalkeith Country Park

May 6-8 

Learn more and get your tickets: https://www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk/event/inception-art-show/

Enjoy my video visits, photos, writing, and art? Support my work on ko-fi. 

https://ko-fi.com/meganchapman 

Thanks! And as always, keep fighting!

Are you a Scottish Artist? Consider joining your union.

Are you a UK Artist? Here's a report on the working conditions of artists that you might be interested in reading.

All in good time

Hello Lovely Blog Readers, 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by last week to read my last post regarding calling up the warriors. It was a very popular post according to the numbers and some folks let me know that it really resonated. Thank you very much. It is always interesting to see how a certain post lands with my readers, especially after all these years. Can you believe that my blog will turn 15 this coming April? We will have to celebrate!

In other news, I did something a bit different with my Tuesday Studio Video Visit this week as well. This week, I shared a meditative and simple process to get our hands moving again if we are stuck in a rut simply by returning to mark making and tuning into the process as we listen to and evaluate our feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This video also seemed to resonate well with people and some have suggested that I create a separate mark making series of videos. We will see. If you have any opinions about it please leave a comment either here or on youtube (or message me on social media somewhere). It was fun to do something different and talk through a process. Sometimes we all need a jumpstart or some hand holding to make a move or a mark! Here it is if you missed it. Please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel if you haven't already. Thank you. 

In other news, later today I will be joining the Abstractionistas in our first collective meeting of the new year. We will be discussing future plans and exhibitions. I will have more to tell you about that next week. 

I have been hearing from several artists that this year is off to a slow start for them and I think maybe that is for the best. We are still in the heart of winter, we are animals and we are rebuilding our energies so that perhaps we can burst out again to the surface in spring like all the flowers. So, if you are feeling stressed about not working yet or not working enough try not to worry. All in good time - be like the flowers and the animals, rest in nature and trust. 

Jean Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, c. 1767. Oil on canvas

31 7/8 inches × 25 ¼ inches. London, Wallace Collection

Thanks for dropping by and for enjoying the blog and the videos. Soon, there will be new works and exhibition news to share as we all burst back out onto the scene like a Rococo fantasy. 

Until next week, take care. 

Thanks and more...

WANTED: 

ART COLLECTOR (Click to shop)

Perhaps you can imagine one or all three of these pieces adding that extra something to your home or office or the home or office of someone you know. They are professionally framed in white and are sure to please. Each painting is £325 and can be found in my Ko-Fi Shop. Think of my Ko-Fi shop like some of you used to think of my Etsy shop back in the day. Easy to use and safe - a platform that helps artists make a living from their work. It's a win-win! I will donate 10% of the sale from these paintings to Bicycles for Refugees until the start of January.

Thank you to everyone who supported my show and sale last weekend online. I was able to donate £50 - and while I wish it could have been more, this amount helps a New Scots child get a bike! With some leftover for another child to almost get a bike as well - or enough for one adult. 

Any way you slice it, it's a good thing and we made some progress for a good cause together. Thank you! 

We are symbiotic

I need to write a proper long blog. Not for you but for me. I need to sit still and listen inward and reflect. I have been feeling a bit stuck in that department. I have been busy using the other parts of my brain. That has been fine but it's time for a recalibration. 

If I find the right song, the right pathway in - I just need that jumping-off point. 

Typically, I would write about the Abstractionistas exhibition as well as the recent exhibition at the Granton Hub. I just don't feel able to right now. I am thankful for both and I had some good conversations and experiences but I am not quite able to put them into words. 

I am at a crossroads. July is coming to a close (already!?!) - these months, these years, come to a close so fast. 

It was a 4 migraine month, a 2 dentist appointment month, a 2 exhibition month, my 2nd vaccination month and a hell of a lot of bus rides month. So I think I understand why I can't write about much of it yet. So much outward energy expended when I have been living inside for a good while now. 

It also feels like it has been a long while since I have made anything much on the art front. I did happen to record 2 songs this month (more on that one day or never). Part of me thinks I should just get up from my desk and this machine and drag a piece of charcoal down a piece of paper. Just to move... 

I also know that when I decide to move (and I will) that it will pour out of me. So, there is no reason to be concerned. I am working when I am resting and years of working back me up. But, I am curious like a cat about what will come forth. That's the exciting part. I have a relationship with my art - we are symbiotic.

You are part of it. Thank you.

One day I will dive deeper

It's Friday and here I am. I caught up the past two weeks here on my blog and updated some supporters only images and words over on my Ko-Fi page. I sold some art this week, packed, and happily posted it. I will be doing just a bit more of that tomorrow as one piece needs a special box. I am thankful for my patron's support now more than ever. 

Oh, but the big news from America is that Biden and Harris won the election!!! The results were finally called on Saturday with more votes being counted still to this day. I am relieved and exhausted. I think most of us needed that win more than we realised. 

I looked back on my work over the last several years and more of the work than you might imagine is about number 45 and living under his reign. Art always tells the truth, it's veiled and strange but often more honest and more immediate in exposing my feelings and the feelings of the world than I can comfortably be. One day on here I will dive deeper and we can discuss how his presidency filtered into the work I made. 

In other news, I continue my walking and watch the seasons change. There is a vegan pot pie in the oven for dinner and I am looking forward to catching up with a show I have been enjoying. Everything is slowing down a bit again with the darkness. It was just about to be spring and here we are again. Covid has changed a lot (understatement of the year). I feel I have lost some habits and anchors but I have gained some new ones along with some new dreams, hopefully to be realised soon. I am out of practice in writing and talking about my work just now. That is why this blog and my Tuesday Videos are so important and that is why if I lose step with the routine it is harder to get it back. The rules are different just now, our expectations for ourselves and each other need to be different too. It's still good to remember what is important and what I want to continue to do or return to doing.

I hope soon to be writing deeply about my work but right now I can just show up and say thank you. 

Until next week, take good care.