All fired up...

Today, I was driving home and a more obscure Clash song, "Ivan meets GI Joe" from their album Sandinista came on the radio, and I was overjoyed. It isn't one of my favorite songs but it still got me excited and then I starting to wonder why I felt that way.

First, the song is catchy. Second, the Clash will always be towards the top of my list. Third, the song is not the usual fodder for the college radio station, as the track is from an album from 1980. The real reason behind my joy...is that listening to that song on the radio gives me a sense of identity and community.

Okay... so what am I talking about?

There are artists in my town and probably your town too who are searching for a sense of identity and community, and they are having a hard time finding it. I live in a nice town, with a University, an arts center, a few galleries, and occasionally, many art events. Culture is touted as a amenity here. We have the Arts festival, Art Market, Art Amiss, BFA & MFA students, professional artists, gallery owners, a few arts collectives, and art lovers all here in this nice little melting pot, but somehow we aren't always melting.

Over the years, there have been meetings of the minds, ideas for studio spaces, and valiant attempts at promoting the arts and culture in this town. Some of us get involved when we can, and some complain about what is not here and yet do nothing. Some of us do both. Then, some of us are on the fringe and don't know about the meetings, or the groups that are trying to do something. Some of us keep our mouths shut as not to offend.

Well, I say enough! There has got to be a grass roots way to get us out of our homes, studios, sometimes cliquish events, and get us together in the same room talking about what we really need and want for ourselves and each other as artists.

I am talking about getting together for fun and community. Of course, not all groups of people are going to get along. Unfortunately, some people are going to think someone doesn't belong in the mix. Labels will be thrown around- crafts, quilts, pottery, fine art, abstract, installation, amateur, - there will be no pleasing all for sure. We all have our styles and our personalities. I still think we need to know one another and be aware of each other's work and aspirations.

My ultimate desire, is that I can keep doing what I am doing, making, showing, selling, and talking about art. However, I want to do that with a vibrant community of artists, talking together, sharing our successes and failures, obstacles, and desires. I want to be a part of an inclusive and connected group of proactive artists.

Anyone want to get together and talk about making art? This means you!

See "Subterranean" at the DDP gallery
7 East Mountain St. Fayetteville.
Open: W-F 12-7 and Sat. 10-5
and by appointment.

"Intuition" Works by Megan Chapman and Helen Phillips
August 15- September 29 2007

Art Festival Roundup

The visual arts part of the festival has come and gone. Last weekend was a huge success for all involved. Congratulations to all the organizers, artists, gallery owners, sponsors, and volunteers.

I just wanted to do a quick weekend round up as I promised. Don't miss this weekend's Art festival offerings which will be geared towards theatre , dance, writing, and music.

First off, the Art Festival in the Town Center seems to get better and better. All the booths were good and filled with excited and knowledgeable artists ready to chat. Several of the booths stood out in my mind. I have to say again that Ben Strawn is my hero - basically selling out his booth, almost immediately. His work is fantastic, and his set up was lovely- I wish him nothing but more success and prosperity, his work is phenomenal.

Other booths that really caught my eye - Cindy Arsaga with her beautiful encaustic paintings - some pieces had such deep rich colors, her work gave me a sense that autumn is indeed coming. I am loving the colored circles that are now floating on the surface of her work, it is a pleasing design element. Speaking of encaustic work, James Kunzelmann's work was also great, and I overheard the artist telling people about the encaustic process as well, which is always helpful. People love information about the different art forms, and mediums. I am particularly fond of his gold fish paintings. I love how the fish fill the square in the middle of the piece and then are usually "framed" out by a lovely color. The texture is always nice in his pieces as well. Don House, is always a hometown favorite, the work he exhibited this year made with a 35mm range finder camera, and printed with the full frame negative seemed filled with a new energy and excitement. I really enjoyed his work. Don Nibert's pottery was glorious and the bases of found metal that he puts together are a beautiful way to present his work. Trent Tally's work is always incredible, and I hope he remains a staple of the festival. Haley Duke provided some freshness, funk, and kick to this year's festival. I think people really enjoyed her booth and the pure creative force she brings with her. Keith Miller was another kick to the festival with his large scale mysterious drawings, I am glad that he did well at the festival as well as winning an award for best 2 -D. I had to go back a couple of different times to the Art Festival to take it all in, and I think that is what is nice about offering the festival on two days, so you don't have to absorb it all in one day. I look forward to seeing next year's festival offerings...

The mill district offerings were a nice selection of whimsy, handmade goods, high art, and music and fun. It was getting hot by the time I made my way there, but I think the people who ventured out to see the artists were richly rewarded. Stand outs for me there were Doug Randall's beautiful paintings, and Tonya Tubbs magnet dolls. It was my first time to go into the Little Mountain Bindery/The New design studio and that was a treat- all the lovely papers on display and sale. I wish them all much success, as they do provide much needed supplies, and classes. Then it was on to the Art Experience where JoAnn Kaminsky's work was on display.
That was a nice respite, to sink down in a couch and just be calm and surrounded by all JoAnn's puppets, masks, and other art work. The Art Experience is a very comfortable place to be.
Then we moved on down the road to Hank Kaminsky's large studio, and talked with him about his new work, and his process. If you have never seen his studio or really talked with him about the process involved in his work, I highly recommend it. I appreciate his work in a whole new way now, and am amazed at his talent and dedication to his art.

I also enjoyed checking in with the DDP gallery, to see if the crowds were making their way to the gallery as well. We had some steady traffic on Saturday and not quite as much on Sunday, but we had many people to talk with about mine and Helen Phillips' work, so that was a thrill.
The exhibit will be up until Sept 29, so be sure not to miss it and tell your friends...

Saturday night was all about the third installment of Art Market. It was in the Parrish hall of the St. Paul's Church, the location was great, just a quick walk down the street from the DDP gallery/square and we were there. I wasn't sure how they would be able to turn the huge space into a gallery, but they did it. They had designed freestanding walls with lights on top that were beautifully constructed and added a nice architectural element to the space. All the artists had plenty of space to show their work, and no one got a bad spot, so that was impressive.
The selection of work was good, several works stood out to me, I loved Justin Bondi's aluminum sculpture, and they way it was presented was perfect. Matthew Lyman's alphabet series was a huge hit, with its smart design sense and color scheme. He paints the letters of the alphabet on the backs of old books and other common objects, with an illustration to go along with the letter.
Beth Post's paintings also stood out, as they were impeccably painted, with arms and legs of the subject hanging out of the frame while painted birds flew around causing distress for the subject.
Art Market seemed to be as successful as ever, I will be interested to see where the next show will be held and what talent will be called up for the next installment. It is a great idea, and I look forward to many more Art Market events.

So that does it. Again congratulations to everyone who participated, organized, volunteered, and sponsored these art events. It was a successful weekend. Here's to many more successful events, shows, galleries, and opportunities for artists. Imagine if we had events like this all the time...

See " Within Your Reach " pictured above, by Megan Chapman at the DDP gallery
located at 7 East Mountain St. Fayetteville.
Open: W-F 12-7 and Sat. 10-5 and by appointment,

"Intuition" Works by Megan Chapman and Helen Phillips
August 15- September 29 2007

Art is everywhere and all at once.

Today's blog is going to be a run down of art events in Fayetteville that are going on now, and in the next week. I am excited about all the buzz surrounding the Fayetteville Arts Festival, the third installment of the much anticipated Art Market, and of course Intuition at the DDP gallery with new paintings by myself and ceramic works by Helen Phillips. I must also mention the stellar photography exhibit "Just the other side of nowhere..." by Henry Turner at Ozark Natural Foods.

Since this is my blog, I want to give you my take on what to watch for at these exhibits...

First off, Henry Turner's photography exhibit is about to come to a close, so hit it first if you haven't already, it is only up until the end of the month. His 12x12" composite photographs of old houses, buildings, fields, and flora are mounted on birch boxes. These photographs have an aching quality that I am drawn to. The photographs appear vintage or distressed yet the way they are presented on the birch boxes is modern and clean-I love the juxtaposition. Henry participated in the last Art Market event; it was his first showing of this series and they were an immediate hit. He sold 8 pieces that night, and was then asked to show his work in Ft. Smith and he sold many works during that show as well. These are truly lovely works of art, don't miss this exhibit! "Just the other side of nowhere..." will be up for the short remainder of August at Ozark Natural Foods.

Intuition: Paintings by Megan Chapman and Ceramic Works by Helen Phillips at the DDP Gallery, This exhibit consists of 20 new abstract paintings by myself and the beautifully mysterious ceramic work of Helen Phillips. The opening reception will be Thursday Aug 30th from 5-8 and both Helen and myself will be there. We look forward to meeting you and talking about our work. The DDP gallery will also have extended hours during the festival weekend. The DDP will be open as usual on Friday from 12-7pm ( so you might consider popping in before the open space art party that night) and Saturday the hours will be 10-5 and Sunday 11-4.

The Fayetteville Arts Festival is back again, conveniently located at The Town Center on the square - August 31-Sept 2, for the visual arts, music and writing part and then again the following weekend Sept 7-9 for all the other wonderful art forms. On Friday night the 31st at the Open Space Art party, you get to help support the festival by buying a $50 ticket, and a chance to meet the artists, getting first dibs on their art while you eat good food and listen to music and watch performances before the festival really kicks off on Saturday. Then the festival kicks into high gear on Saturday and Sunday. It looks like an impressive group of artists have been selected into this year's festival. I am especially looking forward to new works by Ben Strawn. The festival is sure to please, as there will be something at the festival for everyone.

Last but certainly not least, Art Market is being held on September 1, from 5-10pm at the Parish hall at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Dickson and East Street. Jason Howell-Smith and Basil Seymour-Davies know how to put on a great exhibit. Art Market is a solid event and a sure thing. I love this concept, and I love the work that comes with this show. I participated in the first Art Market and it was one of the most exciting shows I have been a part of. I love the immediacy of it, the transformation of the space into an art gallery, and the crowds are phenomenal. The cross section of artists who participate in this event are top notch, exciting and hungry - exploring different mediums with passion and zeal. Art Market is a true asset to the community, and the artists it exhibits. Please support this event and the emerging and established talent that will be participating.

Creating art is as important for those who make it, as it is for those who view and enjoy it. Artists are a vital asset to any community. We are lucky to have this growing enthusiasm and support for the arts in our town, and to be able to showcase some of the talent that resides here. Prepare to be inspired and feel a palpable excitement as the art community comes alive.
See you there!

See " Swept in and Away" pictured above, as well as other new works by Megan Chapman at the DDP gallery
located at 7 East Mountain St. Fayetteville.
Open: W-F 12-7 and Sat. 10-5 and by appointment,
with extended hours during the festival weekend.

"Intuition" Works by Megan Chapman and Helen Phillips
August 15- September 29 2007

Join us for the opening :
Aug 30th 5-8pm

Homeward I Fall

I am busy getting everything ready for my upcoming exhibit with Helen Phillips at the DDP Gallery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The exhibit is entitled "Intuition" and features my paintings and Helen Phillips' ceramic works. I can't wait to see Helen's work in person. The show hangs August 15 with an opening on Thursday, August 30th, from 5-8pm. I hope to see and meet as many of you there as possible. It will be an exciting way to kick off the Fayetteville Arts Festival weekend. We are fortunate to have such a wealth of talent and skill in our local and regional area, as well as people willing to use their time, energy, and resources to create opportunities for artists and art lovers to enjoy each other.

Since, I have been busy painting and dreaming up new titles, and concepts for my exhibit, I thought it might be fun to offer a small preview, as well as a hint of some of the thoughts that are behind this latest body of work.

The painting above is titled "Homeward I Fall", it is 20x16" mixed media on canvas. This painting feels somewhat precious to me, in fact I almost thought about keeping it to myself. It seemed to carry a secret memo, that I might be leaking out into the world too soon.

First, I feel this painting has a lighter, airier quality than some of my work. The autumnal colors are floating about as they mix and over lap gently. If you look at my recent work you will usually find a horizon line or band across the top of the painting, in this particular piece the band is at the bottom, which alters the dynamic of the piece. Also, rather than the usual solid band, there are groove like lines within the band, breaking it up a bit, revealing the subtle colors from underneath. There is a small rectangular shape in the mid right side of the piece that calls back to my more land based abstractions, green rolling hill like shapes appear within the atmospheric painting, adding to that sense of a floating world or a dream like state. The "comfort shapes" or ovals are more playful as they drop from the "sky" and while they don't overlap they do appear to be connected as they tip toward and away from each other as they hover down the painting.

The title "Homeward I Fall," serves to tie the elements in the piece together as well as add a little story or mystery to what is being seen on the canvas. The shapes are falling, and as I have mentioned before, these shapes sometimes represent feelings or ideas, or in this piece perhaps myself or the viewer, these shapes float down the canvas "homeward." The band of blue will catch or absorb them, and hopefully the band is a soothing and peaceful place to land.

I have always been fixated on "home"- whatever it may mean, it can be a romantic idea of your place or start in this world, or it can be the home you find in someone or a new place all your own. Home is mythic and dreamy- and I love the idea of it. It means so many different things. I happen to live in my childhood home. When I walk the dog, I am walking the same route I walked as I child. The neighborhood isn't just where I live now, it has 35 years of history linked to it, and it floats around me all the time. These are just a few of the concepts that are with me in this latest body of work.

See "Homeward I Fall" as well as other new works, at the DDP gallery
located at 7 East Mountain St. Fayetteville.
Open: W-F 12-7 and Sat. 10-5 and by appointment.
"Intuition" Works by Megan Chapman and Helen Phillips
August 15- September 29 2007