Tear it up

under the earth (there is a stone heart)

I am sitting in my favourite chair on a Friday so this can only mean one thing, we are here again. We are spending time together on the Studio Blog. 

The first thing I tend to do these days, is review my photos to remind me of the past week. Then I will flick through my brain waves and see if there were any major themes that I am willing to share. 

Last week's post proved strangely popular according to the numbers - perhaps everyone loves a bit of small furniture or perhaps it was the photos of the dark paintings on the easel. 

On Sunday, I went to the local car boot sale with a pal, and purchased mundane things that I needed - in other words, no vintage spoons, art books, or anything cool. There was matcha (of course) and many laughs were had. Sunday also brought the fifth week of my art discussion sessions with my mother. My mom continued to work on her bird sculpture and I worked to rectify the two darkest canvases. They became slightly surreal - other worlds. See above and below. 

separation state

This week, I also received a concept to explore further in my art. The conditions were right, so the idea felt comfortable enough to let itself be known. A bigger than usual concept, of the sort I haven't had in a long time. I am not quite ready to present it here. But there is something afoot, it's happening now, and it's showing up in my daily life. I hope to be able to explore it a bit more this weekend and roll around with it. Stay tuned.

In other news, I cut my hair even shorter than usual and that was a relief. It always is - the shorter my hair, the more I feel like myself. My street finding energy was strong this week - let's just say, I have a new cool shoe wardrobe and that brings me joy. 

Los Retumbes

Last night, I went to a Fringe gig featuring the Spanish band, Los Retumbes. It was a joy to be able to walk 3 minutes to see 3 bands (The Screamin Kick and The Bad Moods opened) along with my friends and neighbours and all for a good cause, benefiting the community. I had a smile on my face the whole time they played their high energy set. I bought a t-shirt to support the band. They are playing again at Elvis Shakespeare tomorrow (Saturday 9 Aug) at 2:30 (free show) for any locals reading this.

Speaking of other cool Leith Fringe happenings for the locals: Go check out Cyan Clayworks during their Fringe exhibition and open studio. Chris and Fiona are good people, and you need their work and their vision in your lives. They have prints and photos along with their stellar ceramic works for you to enjoy in their gorgeous studio. 

And that's all the news I have for you this week. The world seems impossibly tragic and difficult right now and if you are struggling, you are not alone. What gives me comfort are the various communities I am part of and giving myself permission to find and hold on to joy. Your joy and my joy may not look the same and the jerks of the world hate that - so have more of it. Silence their voices with your kindness, your sparkle, and your open heart. 

Keep fighting and I will too.

Return: Manual for Living II

New Small Works

I haven’t written a blog post in ages. I am currently 9 entries behind this year. I am going to endeavour to start filling the gaps and get back on track. Not because I owe it to you, but because my blog helps me to remember things and ultimately it helps everything else in my life. The following entries will be back dated of course and might be a bit more minimal or image heavy while I try to catch up. To those of you who have checked in here, I hope you will get something out of these entries or at least know I am attempting to work my way back to you.

A lot has been going on behind the scenes and my studio blog and my art practice have been the furthest things from my mind. Everything is a bit of a blur and I am finding it even harder than usual to focus. I am looking back at my calendar, photos I took, and social media posts to help me figure out what was happening, against a much larger backdrop that I either will or will not get into. 

Thanks for being here.

My last blog post was on February 7 and it proved to be a popular one, or perhaps people just kept landing on it looking for future posts. Either way I am glad many of you allowed me to be dramatic and also resonated with the post yourselves.

Overwhelmed with everything going on politically, I was calling my representatives in the United States from Scotland often this week in February, along with posting political actions on social media. I was holding on to the second season of Severance as one thing I could look forward to every Friday evening even when everything else was going to shit. I started a small series of new works this week as well. Ultimately creating 7 new small mixed media collage works on paper and framing them in simple white frames.

These pieces remind me of a condensed version of the “manual for living” series I created in 2010. Seems fitting - we may need a manual now more than ever.
At this time, I can only offer these works to folks living in the UK due to prohibitive shipping costs and the fact that these are framed with glass. If you are in the US and really want one please message me and I will give you a shipping quote. 

Art has the power to inspire and provoke thought, and it can also be a vehicle for change. By purchasing one of these new small works of mine, you are not only supporting my work but also contributing to an important cause. £10 from each sale will go directly to the American Civil Liberties Union helping to defend the rights of all people in the United States.

"With immigrant rights, trans justice, reproductive freedom, and more at risk, the ACLU is in the courts and communities across the United States to protect everyone’s rights."

You can see the entire series together here. You can click the message or purchase buttons next to each image to send me a note of your interest, and if you want to buy the piece, I will email you an invoice with my UK bank details.

Okay, Harriet
mixed media on paper
Art Size A6/14.8x10.5 cm
Framed Size 12.5x16.5 cm
Megan Chapman 2025
£65 (includes 2nd class UK Shipping)
Message for invoice to purchase

Always walking up hill
mixed media on paper
Art Size A6/14.8x10.5 cm
Framed Size 12.5x16.5 cm
Megan Chapman 2025
£65 (includes 2nd class UK Shipping)
Message for invoice to purchase

Please let us go there
mixed media on paper
Art Size A6/14.8x10.5 cm
Framed Size 12.5x16.5 cm
Megan Chapman 2025
£65 (includes 2nd class UK Shipping)
Message for invoice to purchase

Let there be moments
mixed media on paper
Art Size A6/14.8x10.5 cm
Framed Size 12.5x16.5 cm
Megan Chapman 2025
£65 (includes 2nd class UK Shipping)
Message for invoice to purchase

Everything you climb
mixed media on paper
Art Size A6/14.8x10.5 cm
Framed Size 12.5x16.5 cm
Megan Chapman 2025
£65 (includes 2nd class UK Shipping)
Message for invoice to purchase

Where no one walks alone
mixed media on paper
Art Size A6/14.8x10.5 cm
Framed Size 16.5x12.5 cm
Megan Chapman 2025
£65 (includes 2nd class UK Shipping)
Message for invoice to purchase

Holding Electric

mixed media on paper

Art Size A6/10.5x14.8cm

Framed Size 12.5x16.5 cm

Megan Chapman 2025

£65 (includes 2nd class UK Shipping)

Message for invoice to purchase

A small framed piece of work sitting on a shelf using the ladder back of the frame.
These can also be displayed on your wall. 

Thank you for your support and patience as I get back in the swing of things.

Take care of yourself. The world needs you and the gifts you bring. Keep fighting!

Safe as houses

Safe as houses

30x22"/ 76.2x55.8cm

Mixed media 

640gsm smooth fabriano artistico paper

Megan Chapman 2023

Hello, Dear Readers, Skimmers, Browsers, Lurkers and Clickers - 

This person (above) showed up on Monday. I was feeling the deep need to give some time and attention to something creative and expressive, so this is what came of that. I was surprised by the stir she caused over on my FB Art Page. I am always surprised by the portraits. Maybe we all are. Can you believe it was around this time last year that I had my exhibition, Declarations, Divinations, and Whispers? 

You can see all of those portraits again HERE.

And of course, my special sale continues to help out Bikes for Refugees. There are plenty of affordable original pieces of my art on offer with 40% being donated to help them rebuild after a recent break-in. Thanks to my patrons who have supported me, and Bikes for Refugees so far by shopping my sale. You can also donate to them directly and skip the art. 

Go have another look!

I don't know about you, but I am feeling kind of worn out and blue as the nights are drawing in and news of the world is decidedly grim. I plan to make myself some hot chocolate, curl up under the duvet, and rest. Sending love and care out into the world. I hope you can come up with a soothing plan for yourself. 

Thank you for being here. The world needs you and the gifts you bring. Please believe that. 

Autumn Special Benefit Sale: Bikes for Refugees Scotland

SPECIAL SALE

As many of you know Bikes for Refugees - Scotland SCIO is one of my favourite charities and I have raised funds for them in the past through the sale of my art. Unfortunately, they have been robbed and need our help! I have organised this special wee sale to hopefully raise some funds. It's a great opportunity to buy some of my art and support them at the same time.

Bikes for Refugees is a brilliant charity that provides free donated and serviced bikes and all the gear needed for New Scots refugees. I am so disheartened that they have been robbed after all the good work they continue to do for our communities. I have already made a small personal donation and encourage you to do the same but if you want my art and to help them - then this sale is for you!

These original paintings and drawings have the added benefit of being mounted and ready to pop into a frame or already framed and ready to hang on the wall. They are all signed and titled on the back. These pieces are all value-priced for this great cause and this includes free shipping in the UK.

40% of the sale of each piece will be donated to Bikes for Refugees to help them recover from this devastating robbery. Bank transfers and PayPal are accepted. Payment plans are available for more expensive pieces if desired. Just say the word! Click the purchase or message button next to the piece to start the conversation. Here is the direct link for the sale. Feel free to share: https://www.artworkarchive.com/rooms/megan-chapman/a6dccc

Also if you have had your eye on another one of my paintings not included on this sale page, please reach out and let me know and perhaps we can make arrangements to include it. 

Thank you - Megan

Donate to Bikes for Refugees Directly: https://www.bikesforrefugees.scot/sponsors-donors

These are all included in the SALE

The show must go on! Shop update and studio sale!

Dear lovely friends and supporters. 

I was planning on showing three of my canvas paintings in a group exhibition this weekend as well as offering 39 affordable, original works of art for sale at a market stall with the Abstractionistas at the Edinburgh Palette at St. Margaret's House in Edinburgh this weekend. Many wonderful artists and makers are planning on being there. However, with the news of the Omicron variant changing by the day, I decided to not participate in this opportunity. 

BUT, the show must go on... and for me, it must go on, but just differently. I am delighted to share that everything that I was going to take to the stall this weekend is now available online through my shop with FREE shipping in the U.K. 

I will also be donating 10% of every purchase from my shop to my favourite Scottish charity, Bicycles for Refugees. I have raised money for them in the past through the sale of certain series of artworks and it brings me great joy to be able to help again. CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY SHOP.

I am also having a STUDIO SALE of 13 of my larger series works with many of them being offered at 50% off and with 4 monthly instalments available so that you can budget for art. I will also donate 10% of your first payment (if you use the instalment plan or 10% of the total sale (if you pay it off in one go) to Bicycles for Refugees as well this weekend. 

The three paintings I was planning to show in the exhibition this weekend can be found there too! CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY STUDIO SALE.

I hope you will consider supporting my work while also supporting a charity from the comfort of your own home. 

Thank you for your support. Be well and safe. 

- Megan 

Feel good and do good: Charity paintings

This series of original paintings are A4 sized - 21X29.7cm/8.3x11.7” mixed media on 280gsm/80oz primed canvas board. They are signed and dated on the back. Each piece is £135 with free shipping in the UK and with £10 additional postage to anywhere else in the world. 

£55 from the sale of each piece will be donated to the brilliant charity Bikes for Refugees Scotland and will put a bike in the hands of a New Scot.

It's a win-win when you purchase one of these original paintings. You are supporting me as an artist and you are supporting our New Scots refugees. Feel good and do good. Collect art. 

You can buy these charity pieces directly from my Ko-fi shop. Just click the collect link under each piece to be directed to my shop. Thank you. 

Collect

Collect

Collect

Collect

Collect

Collect

Collect

Bicycles for Refugees Fundraiser and Open Studios!

My second fundraiser for Bikes for Refugees is happening now! If you recall, I created 10 works on paper last spring to benefit this important charity organisation and thanks to you, all 10 works sold! We were able to donate £550 to this worthy organisation and I am hoping we can do the same again before the end of the year. 

This latest series of original paintings are A4 sized - 21X29.7cm/8.3x11.7” mixed media on 280gsm/80oz primed canvas board. They will be signed and dated on the back. Each piece is £135. These new works are value-priced for charity and this includes shipping to anywhere in the world. £55 from the sale of each piece will be donated Bikes for Refugees and will put a bike in the hands of a new Scot. 

The bikes are donated to the charity from lovely folks and then the organisation spends money and time to service the bikes, making sure they are roadworthy for their new owners. Each bike also comes with a lock, light, and a helmet. It costs £55 to get a donated bike up and running for new Scot. So each time a painting sells, that's another bike we can get on the road for a refugee. Here's a short clip of me speaking about how I was inspired to help this charity. 

I gladly accept bank transfer and PayPal (if the buyer can kindly pay the PayPal fees). Payment plans are also available (take up to 3 months to pay off your painting if needed). I want you to live with original art and I want to help this important charity. Message me to reserve your painting today! Gratefully, four pieces from this series have already sold! Thanks, patrons! 

Here are the remaining available works. I would love to sell at least 6 more of these before the end of the year! Please share my blog or my facebook album http://bit.ly/2KhrKy4 of the paintings and help spread the word. Thank you. 

Also if you are local Edinburgh, my studio G23 will be open this Sunday from 12-5pm along with my friend, textile artist Mairi Brown in F14. We will have our doors open alongside the Makers Marque event at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall located at 36 Dalmeny Street in Leith. It would be a great time for you to come and see these new charity pieces in person and pick up one for yourself or as a gift. 

Until next week, keep fighting! We need you here alongside us creating change and beauty. 

You make my heart sing : Look what we did!

Thanks to eight lovely art patrons and many shares across social media, in less than one week, we were able to raise £495 to help Bikes for Refugees Scotland. This donation will put nine bikes on the road and give refugees a warm welcome and free transportation. Together we made a difference! Thank you very much, you really do make my heart sing with your generosity. I made the donation earlier this week. I am honoured to be able to use my work in this way and grateful for my patron's support. Thank you!



I received this record of our donation yesterday.

In other news, inspired and feeling supported, I worked on six small works on deep canvas this week. I would say these are still in progress but there was something I liked enough of about them to document them at this stage.

They are 20x20x4cm/8x8x1.5” and have a springy vibe but to be honest the colours may be a bit jacked up in these phone snaps. Stay tuned...

Oh and in other news, read this book by Viv Albertine and perhaps listen to this podcast, what she says about women in the arts (all sorts) is spot on in my opinion and I am grateful that she gives this voice. 

I apologise for being a bit absent on the blogging front, some astute readers may notice that I have gone back and filled in all the gaps this year. 2019 is now up to date and I feel a sense of relief. I love this old blog of mine and I aim to do better by it some longer think pieces coming soon. 

Rise up, wake up, make a difference, use what you have. Keep fighting, we need you!

With sincere gratitude and love, 

Megan