The art of living

Royal Scottish Academy Edinburgh

Hello, Dear Readers,

I hope you are doing okay and that you enjoyed last week's post on my day trip to Glasgow.

This week was varied; Monday was spent working on US and UK taxes. Tuesday, I received a Reiki session from a friend and practitioner-in-training, and afterwards we shared a delicious lunch. Wednesday and Thursday were spent working at my job with the Scottish Artists Union. After a matcha morning with a pal, Friday was mostly spent following the election results; however, in the evening, I attended the Royal Scottish Academy's 200th Annual Exhibition with two artist friends, both of whom had work in the show. Beyond spending time with them, I also bumped into a couple of other peers who had pieces in the prestigious exhibition. It is a strong show, and I look forward to going back when it is quieter.

This weekend I will be spending time in the studio listening to music and painting. I am working on a small 10 x 10 cm piece for an upcoming exhibition in Manchester. I will share more details regarding the exhibition soon.

In other news, spring is truly upon us now, with the trees in their fresh verdant coats and the small birds flitting about singing their morning songs.

And that's all I have for you this week. The studio is calling, and I must go.

Flowers & Culture

Southern heart, mixed media on paper, 20 x 29.5 cm, ©2024 Megan Chapman

Hello Dear Readers,

I have been working on an art related project behind the scenes here and it's something I have been meaning to do for a while now. I am pleased to have finally had the time and space to tackle it and working in my new studio has certainly helped. However, I am not ready to share it yet because there is more I would like to do. I will share it soon though, I promise. 

I wasn't sure what I would write about this week due to delaying that bit of news. So, I will share a few random things and some cultural visitations.

First of all. It's DAFFODIL SEASON. That means you can walk into any grocery shop and find .95p bouquets of daffodils in bud, that bloom once you put them in some water at home. All varieties. Why isn't this a thing in the USA? This is one of my top five reasons to live over here (I am not kidding - it's probably in the top three)

Now to the culture segment:

Exhibitions: 

RSA: Modern Miniatures and Currently on view

City Art Centre: Michael Fullerton, along with a quick revisit of Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000

Open Eye: Exhibitions by Glen Scouller RSW RGI, and Luisa Ramazzotti, and On a Grand Scale featuring John Bellany, Barbara Rae DBE, and Leon Morrocco RSA RGI, as well as, On a Small Scale by selected invited artists.

Scottish Gallery: Great Escapes - Rowan Patton, James Morrison - In Focus, Various Artists - The Northern Isles Part II

Books: 

A Winter Book by Finnish author Tove Jansson. This book of short stories was given to me by my Finnish pal, Peikko. The stories were the perfect company during the dark month of January. The short story, Squirrel especially resonated. It's a lonely book of bohemian and coastal memory filled with magic that shoots one across ages and time. 

The First Bad Man by Miranda July. I have had this book for ages now, and have started it many times but this time I am going to finish it. I always enjoy Miranda's writing of the intense and deeply awkward and often relatable ways of women. You might too. 

The other day another book dropped through the door, and I was perplexed until I opened it, and I had to thank myself for preordering, Atypical Girl, Punk rock, Liverpool, and trying to be normal by Penny Kiley. I have already started it (but must finish Miranda's book first!) but I am very excited to spend more time in the pages and on Penny's journey. 

Films: (I am not going to link to trailers because I don't like them) but these are some great films that I have seen recently. (I am so glad I saw Hamnet in the theatre so I could cry in public.)

Hamnet 
Adaptation
Paterson
The Last Showgirl
Aftersun
Paris is Burning
The Florida Project

TV:

The Lowdown Created by Sterlin Harjo (I am in the middle of this and am really enjoying the Tulsa vibes). John Doe (from X) is a proper scene-stealer in one episode. Thanks Sarah for the recommendation - you were right. 

Music:

I have been listening to old Wipers albums. I was late to the party and just in time - just a tremendous band and I can see why they were so influential to so many. I have also been enjoying Amyl and The Sniffers, and GRLwood, and revisiting the music of T.S.O.L.. I have also revisited some old albums by Moby and it truly was the samples he used that always grabbed me. So I had to listen to The Famous Davis Singers. Arkansas treasure, Jesse Welles, dropped a new video with another great tune reflecting the USA at the moment, and I have been listening to it on repeat. 

That's all I have for you this week. I hope that you are okay. Please take a minute to care for yourself by enjoying some culture. It will help you to keep fighting the good fight. Thanks for being here. Stay strong. 

A rhythm that I can fall into

work in progress

Scotland is a strange embrace. It is a sure road under my feet, even with its many curious twists and turns. It is a home I have always known and longed for, yet it sits slightly askew. The gratitude I feel for this land is enormous, and the personification of it is easily done. My body senses familiarity at every turn.

There is a safety here for me, a social contract understood: foundational. Even with all its problems and self-doubts, it provides a known beat, a rhythm that I can fall into.

It catches me off guard with its lull of consistency. If one has never felt such ground, it's easy to downplay. It runs at a humane pace and is a place of workers, history, and darkness. Its greatness is not boastful, bright, or new.

Scotland is a strange embrace.

___________________

Until next week, take care and keep fighting. Thank you for being on this path with me.  And if you like a spot of David Bowie, punk rock, and dream pop here's a playlist for you.

Tend to the small fires

Awake in the dark, the screen illuminates my fingers as a cup of coffee balances on the arm of the sofa. Flames of dancing light from my electric fire pretend to lap the air. Kodomotachi by Susumu Yokota plays on my big headphones.

It's Friday morning; the work week is behind me once again. This is a strange way for me to think about time. When one is self-employed (as I have been for much of my life), the work week is never behind you. Time has been bending in on itself, forward and then back. I am somewhere in between - my dreams vivid, the subconscious hard at work.

I didn't "make art" this past Sunday but I reflected on it and discussed these thoughts with my mother. We felt that this counted as a "sunday session." I hope to return to making art this weekend.

Last Sunday, I attended a cultural event, which is perhaps even better than making art, due to the energy exchange that comes from being around like-minded people with a singular focus. 

I was fortunate to see Stewart Copeland (the brilliant drummer of The Police and a gifted composer) speak about his life and work at The Queen's Hall. He was always my favourite member of the band. I still vividly recall the pride I felt as I wore my new Ghost in the Machine Tour t-shirt (a gift from my brothers who had actually seen the tour) to elementary school when I was barely ten. Years later, I wore that same shirt to a Black Flag show in 1986; at fourteen, though, I remember feeling pretty square in it. Needless to say, I left that gig wearing a different band's name. 

Anyway, I loved The Police, and Stewart Copeland was the best, so seeing him tell his stories about it all was a delight. Beyond his obvious talents, he is funny, irreverent, whip smart, and is an expert storyteller. Laughing at his antics as part of an audience of his admirers felt good and warm. 

On Monday, I met up with my good pal, Ever Dundas for a return visit to the secret garden in the city centre. With our hot chocolates, we enjoyed talking about all things music while sitting in the garden on a bench in the sun. It was a lovely outing. Music and friends make the world go round. 

Before I met up with Ever, I popped into Edinburgh Central Library to visit the Art & Design Library housed upstairs. I was short on time, but it was good to peruse a few art books and to just see what they had on offer.

Tuesday was a grey day of rain and remembrance, tears, and smiles.

Wednesday and Thursday were filled with work and meetings, and now here we are.
I am not sure what this weekend and week ahead holds. 

I'll leave you with my cheeky visage just to show off my latest charity shop acquisition (the necklace) because I love it and finding such treasures brings me joy. And we can all use a bit more of that.

Thank you for spending some of your precious time with me. Until next week, keep fighting for good, take care, and stay warm.

Messages on the wind

to the weir

Dear Reader,

I hope you are okay. Before I sat down to write to you, I opened the window to let in the crisp morning air and I said good morning to the moon.

Earlier this week, I walked by the water of Leith on slick yellow leaves, mud, and cobbles, and found myself at the foot of my favourite tree, seeking refuge. I breathed in the damp earth and sent messages on the wind.

process

Last weekend, I managed to paint, but I couldn't focus. I washed my brushes, looked at my previous work, and pushed some paint around. It's all part of the process and practice. I am reminded of this repeatedly.

On a rare Wednesday off work, I met my friend Julia for a day of art in the city. We saw the following exhibitions: * = personal highlights

RSA Academicians Gallery: Toby Paterson RSA

Scottish Gallery: *Modern Masters XIX, *Rachel Larkins - Raising Ghosts, Lachlan Goudie - From the Forest to the Forge

Open Eye Gallery: Adrian Wiszniewski RSA, Jonathan Gibbs, Alex Malcolmson and select artists from the gallery (*David Schofield RGI)

Graystone Gallery: Boundless Motion: Land & Form - Astrid Leeson & Sophia Pauley and select artists from the gallery

Rachel Larkins' jewellery exhibition at the Scottish Gallery was magical and enchanting, with plenty of favourite pieces. The Modern Masters XIX exhibition has some wonderful Joan Eardley pieces among other standouts.

At the Open Eye Gallery, David Schofield's piece, This Mortal City, appeared illuminated from within and was captivating with its dreamlike narrative.

down stockbridge way

Thursday was mostly a blur, but that brings us to today's exhibition, or rather, experience.

Leith School of Art: *Jessica Wolfson - Rain, I don't mind

On my way home this afternoon, I popped into Leith School of Art. And by popped in, I mean I interrupted a group of women chatting in front of the school, and asked if I could go inside to see the exhibition advertised on the fence. They buzzed me in and then left me to it.

Once I entered the space, the familiar art school smell overwhelmed me in the best way. The natural light, white walls, and spareness of it all felt like home. I continued through the space following Wolfson's paintings through an entryway to the school's small library as the exhibition continued. I turned to look at the wall of art books and felt a catch in my throat as a beautiful stained glass window caught my eye. I took a postcard with course offerings and then let myself out. I waved my thanks to the group as I made my way off the small campus.

Back on the road, my soul absolutely ached - it had recognised itself within those walls. The old Norwegian Seaman's church turned art school was calling after me, "come back... you've lost your way - please, come back..."

As tears welled up in my eyes, I heard the old building loud and clear.
____________________

Until next week, keep listening.

With love and gratitude.

X.

Strangers tell me things

Sunday works in progress: a different ground

 On the way to carboot sale

Brutal Monday evening 

On Friday Leith provides

Anarchy in the everyday

Hello Dear Readers,

With one song on repeat I settle in to write to you. It was also one hell of a week and I am glad it is over. It's Halloween. Tomorrow is November. How is that even possible? Are you sensing a theme? I feel like each week, I write: things are hard, time is moving fast, what the hell... here's some art, here's some photos - cheery bye.

I write a lot in other places, I talk a lot in other places too, and now I am tired and worn out. I feel like The Giving Tree.

But back to the song, the bass vibrates in my ears in a way that I can see it - I shake my head back and forth to the beat. This song has that wonderful industrial metal scraping clang that my brain loves. The bass and guitars are perfection. I don't think there is much better than listening to a song on really good headphones. This one is ticking all the boxes tonight - it is reviving my tired heart.

However, I still can't focus enough right now to talk about art in any meaningful or moving way. Perhaps if I had written this in the morning I could have, but I needed to go out and meet a pal. I sat with the locals on the community benches at the foot of the walk and I purposely breathed in their smoke. I comforted them as they shared their fresh grief with me and was hugged by a stranger.

I love community spaces and I love talking to people. I love making people laugh and I love laughing. I love hearing music from pub speakers and I love knowing that cosy places for folks to meet still exist.

Just another beautiful day in Leith, just another day in my life.

Until next week, try to talk to someone you don't know and try not to worry so much.
We need you and the gifts you bring. Keep fighting.

Like a mirror to my soul

Conversations on stillness, mixed media on canvas panel © Megan Chapman

Hello Dear Readers, 

I had two paintings on the go last week that I meant to return to and work on but I started a new one instead. See above, conversations on stillness. I enjoyed working on this piece, building up the layers and textures. It was an old fashioned meditative experience (I need more of those). I was listening to Brian Eno and Nils Frahm while I worked and I think you can tell. 

On Monday, my friend Julia and I went to see Resistance: How protest shaped Britain and photography shaped protest at Modern Two. The exhibition was conceived by artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen. It was compelling to see the stark and powerful exhibition and to learn some of the stories from a century of protest. If you are local to Edinburgh or are passing through, do go see it before it closes in January. Did you know that on the First Monday of each month you can pay what you wish (minimum £2)? It's a very helpful offering for artists and arts workers on a budget. 

We also crossed the road to Modern One and I have to say even though we ran through the lower floor with haste before closing time, my heart was so happy to see some of my favourites. I don't visit Modern One near enough and it was a delight to see these old and new friends. I do think of certain artists' works as a key that opens the door to my very existence - like a mirror to my soul - there you are and there I am...

Artists such as Frankenthaler, Albers, and Morandi set my brain on fire and then we entered a room with three Agnes Martin paintings?! Oh, you can bet my heart was singing! I love Agnes Martin - she speaks the language of painting so beautifully and deeply that I could roll around in it. No bullshit. Honest. My day was made. 

Untitled #5 by Agnes Martin National Galleries of Scotland
ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008  ©Estate of Agnes Martin

I even saw one of the wee Francesca Woodman photographs from the collection (the gallery has 23 of her photos). I feel very fortunate that all of this great art lives in my city. It still blows my wee Arkansas born mind at times but mostly just fills me with gratitude and genuine awe.

This weekend there will be more painting and more rest. Thank you for checking in here and spending some of your time with me. I hope you are doing okay. I know it is hard out there. Keep fighting. We need you and the gifts you bring, now more than ever. 

I hear the earth turning

Studio still life: Vase by Chris Donnelly Ceramics 
Next to a card featuring a print of West Highland Landscape by Barbara Rae. 

I woke with a start at 4 A.M. after having a waking dream about my job.

At 6 A.M. I am drinking a strong matcha and listening to one song on repeat on my big headphones with my windows open. I have sat down in my favourite chair to write this. If you missed last week's post you can find it here.

This week went quickly.

There was a bit of local charity shopping, new matcha and the associated accoutrements arrived in the post, the crocosmia lucifer flashed red in the garden along with the geranium. 

I met my pal Julia for a spontaneous wander on Sunday to the City Art Centre to enjoy Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000. The exhibition didn't disappoint with several personal favourites. West Highland Landscape by Barbara Rae stole the show and practically vibrated off the orange wall it was placed on. It is probably my most favourite painting by Rae that I have seen so far. It was a perfect study in composition, colour, and expression. Both my pal and I left the exhibition with a printed version of the painting on a card from the giftshop. Prints don't do this work justice though, so if you are able please go see it yourself. No photos were allowed of the exhibition or I would have shared some here, so again, go see it. 

Next we wandered through the city centre and I introduced Julia to the work of Michael McVeigh the artist who I had met the week before. It was good to chat with him again while enjoying his work. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed our supermarket lunch on a park bench in Princes Street Gardens and happened upon the vibrant sounds and colours of the Edinburgh Festival Carnival. We then moved on to the RSA for the Paul Furneaux exhibition, 旅路 | Tabiji - Journey (with wonderment) It is a gorgeous, jewel-like exhibition. 

It was a lovely and spontaneous Sunday, filled with all the best parts of living in this city and enjoying it all with a good friend.

Later that evening, I worked on another small painting. I have returned to the inspiration from a series I began in 2004 or so. I will write more about this in a future post. 

I hear the earth turning 15x15cm/ 5.9x5.9” mixed media on canvas 2025 Megan Chapman
£45 & free UK 2nd class shipping

Then on Monday it was back into the city centre for a different kind of art. My pal Anthea and I met up for a gorgeous fancy vegan/vegetarian lunch at David Bann, a gift I had received from my oldest brother for Christmas. We both dressed in bright saturated colours by chance and pretty much laughed the whole time - we played the part of ladies who lunch but with an edge, expertly. It was great fun and the decadent food was a rare treat that I was delighted to be able to share. By the way, I met my pal, Anthea in March at a movie screening - just two folks who crossed paths around a shared interest and then became fast friends. As I noted in my post last week, it's good to talk to strangers! 

Selections from the set lunch menu at David Bann
Thanks again, to my brother Ben for this lovely gift

Then it was back to life, back to reality, and back to work and here we are at the weekend once again. I plan to rest, talk to family and friends, sit in the garden, and paint.

Every day we reach out, set boundaries, and take care to express ourselves through art and action (however we are able - quietly or loud) is a victory.

Thank you for being here. Keep fighting!

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.

My heart lives in two places

What a difference a few days make. 

I have on my cosy jumper while sitting under a blanket with the lamps turned on. It will be dark within 30 minutes. This can only mean one thing... I am back in bonny Scotland sitting in my flat. The window is speckled with rain drops. I do have my big headphones on though just like the last time I wrote, but the music has changed. I decided to listen to an old favourite on repeat. 

Thanks to everyone who read my last three blog posts written in Arkansas. If you missed them the first time here they are again. 

October 11th https://meganchapman.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-true-liminal-space-and-comfort-of.html

October 18th https://meganchapman.blogspot.com/2024/10/i-see-you-you-see-me-we-are-here.html

October 25th https://meganchapman.blogspot.com/2024/10/i-am-of-leaves-i-am-of-trees-i-am-of.html

Let's pick up where we left off, in the last few days I was with my parents, I did various projects around their house, enjoyed the sun and warmth as much as I could, did a bit of work, and ran some errands and just spent time with them. On Sunday, a dear family friend came to visit us with some lovely baked goods - we caught up on the weirdness of life around the table. Later that day, my mother and I enjoyed Fiber Fest down the road at Ozark Folkways. Again, I spontaneously ran into a couple of people I knew there and it was a delight.

On Monday, we took family photos against the orange backdrop of the maples and I said a tearful goodbye to my dad before I took my mom to an appointment in town. Afterwards we ran some errands together, where I ran into yet another person I was happy to see for a quick catch up over a shopping cart.

Afterwards, my mom and I had a mediocre but funny lunch, saw another dear friend for a bonus spontaneous visit, ran another errand, and then I was dropped off where I started, at the old house in town. I hugged my mother goodbye and she was on her way back to Winslow.

I organised my belongings, and then took my dear friend out for a delicious dinner at one of my favourite old spots - Thep Thai (it's still good Barbara - get the Pad Kee Mao with Tofu #35). On the way back I asked my pal to stop so I could take a photo of a dreamy Cadillac at dusk in the parking lot of the old muffler shop. Magic!

Once again at the old house, I just had a bit more organising to do before it was off to sleep. The next day would see the long journey back to Scotland that would start Tuesday morning Arkansas time and end Wednesday morning in Edinburgh. Three planes back and this time no missed connections. I even had time to enjoy the Prince store in Minneapolis - I saw one of his guitars and his hand written song notes. I was quite the fan back in the day and if you recall 1999 was mentioned in the blog post prior to this one, so again - there are no accidents.

After sitting next to a MAGA bro with some weird ideas on the first flight, I was rewarded on the next two with no one sitting next to me. On the overnight airbus, I was sat on the aisle at the end of a row of four, in the middle of the plane. The dutchman at the other end and I shared air high fives as no one was seated in the two middle seats between us. Yes! I love these spontaneous joyful interactions with strangers. I settled in and ate more delicious KLM food while watching a film, listening to music, and sleeping. Smooth as vegan butter. 

Later, I watched from the window on the last flight as Edinburgh came into view - a calm joy washed over me. I love making that bank over the Firth of Forth. I eased through the border with my U.K. passport, picked up my bag, and ordered a chai. Thanks to the insistence of my parents, I got a taxi back home. 

I enjoyed the banter with the taxi driver as we drove in the sideways morning light. Once dropped off, I rolled my suitcase into my garden and heard the familiar wail of the stray cat (wee bear as he is now known) that I have been feeding for over a year. All was well. My pals had been looking after him while I was away (thanks Alice, Ever, and Eleanor - it takes a village to feed a stray cat). Besides the hungry cat, fresh flowers greeted me along with a card once inside. My people are the best people. 

It was all still here. My heart lives in two places. 

I took a nap, a shower, a walk to visit my Scottish friend tree, and then I jumped into work meetings and again all was well. 

I dedicate this post and the previous three travel posts again to my communities near and far and to all the people who make this world a beautiful and kind place. Thank you. 

Oh, and to music - I dedicate most things to music! 

The album I listened to while flying

Just like a ghost walking in place

 

Music.

Keep fighting.

This is where all the stories start

10 years ago this week I arrived in Scotland to make it my home. There is so much I want to say about it, that it overwhelms me. So this week, I will just share some new art and say thank you to the trees, the flowers, the gardens, the birds, the paths, the wind, the hills, the sea, the music, the art, the cobblestones and old buildings and to all people who have loved, cared for, and supported me during this time. Those that are still here and those that are somewhere else. Thank you also to my dearest, Theo. 

Thank you. 

10 years can be celebrated this week, next week, and even all year. 

I love you, Scotland and I celebrate you every damn day. 

More soon. Keep Fighting. 

Grocery lists

There is a song for the feeling.