Cosmic

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

This was a full and varied week! 

For those of you who don't already know, I am the Rep Coordinator & Caseworker for the Scottish Artists Union. My (now) former colleague Janie Nicoll (previous SAU Campaigns Manager) and I were recently interviewed by the Vandal Factory for their podcast episode #32 all about Freelancers. Please give it a listen to learn more about what the SAU does on behalf of our members and then if you haven't already, join your union!

Listen here

"This is the full interview with Janie Nicoll and Megan Chapman, visual artists and organisers for the Scottish Artists Union. An edited version first appeared in episode #32. SAU is the representative voice for visual and applied artists in Scotland and is one of the largest arts membership organisations in the country. We discuss the needs of the membership and empowering and connecting self-employed freelancers. Listen to episode #32 for more conversations from across the UK about self-employed life."

199th RSA Annual Exhibition

Then later this week, I was invited to attend the RSA private view by my SAU colleague and fellow Rep, Leon Patchett as both he and his partner Beti Bricelj had brilliant work in the exhibition. They stay up in the highlands so it was great to see them in Edinburgh. My new pal and artist Anthea Moys, joined us for the fun as well. We all had a hoot. 

Then on Saturday, I met up with my dear pal, the brilliant writer, Ever Dundas to explore a secret (ish) garden and have an overdue catch up. It was a balm for the soul - I felt like I went on a 2 hour retreat. It was so exciting to explore a tucked away garden behind a gate in the city centre with Ever. It really gave me a boost!

Then on Sunday, there were flowers everywhere and I found £5 on a deserted street and took it to the local car boot sale and found exactly what I was looking for.

Everything felt a bit cosmic.

You can read next week's post here.

Frustration Evident

Frustration evident

I am just back from a sunshine-filled 4-mile walk. I'm trying to stay in the frame of mind I was in while I was outside. Rather than listen to music on my walk or birdsong, I chose to listen to Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen's "Renegades podcast." I am not a Spotify user but I thought they were important enough to put the app on my phone at least temporarily. It was a good choice. I walked for the duration of the 2 available podcasts, as they spoke and shared their upbringings and their thoughts and experiences of race and racism as well as the complicated and complex beauty of America.

It was wonderful to listen to their conversation weave in and out of a variety of topics with mutual admiration, respect, and the joy of discovery. It was a beautiful thing to listen to these two men talk in this way. It reminded me a lot of the conversations I have with my friends - touching on so many topics, associations, and memories eventually finding a common ground or a new understanding of each other and ourselves in the process. People are filled with wisdom. Conversations are long winding paths, perfect to walk to in the spring sunshine. I feel like I walked everywhere. I swallowed back tears at times as I listened to their words. Open communication is such a deep precious gift. I highly recommend the podcast if you haven't listened to it yet. 

As far as my art practice goes, I am feeling quite stuck just now. I did some sketches of noses on a bit of scrap paper, and I painted some thick grey/black lines over some paper works that I had started at the end of last year that need finishing. It's frustrating but I know it will come back when it is time for it to come back. I have to be patient but I also have to acknowledge the frustration. I also need to make some money. It's a drag when that part yells louder than the creative motivation. Sales of my work have been pretty slow so far this year. Thankfully I am receiving payments on a couple of larger paintings I sold in December and I have sold 4 smaller works on paper since January. I am thankful that the studio is allowing us to pay 1/2 of our usual rent just now as well. One day I am going to have to figure out what to do about that space. 

There is an exciting thing coming down the line soon - I am being interviewed for P3DRO, a music and art website. I am answering the interview questions just now. I will keep you posted when the interview becomes available. 

In other news, plans and preparations for the first exhibition of the Abstractionistas, the collective of which I am a member, are underway. The show is scheduled for July at St. Margaret's House Gallery in Edinburgh. Please follow us on Instagram. 

I hope you are staying well and safe and getting out in the sun when you can. I hope there are rich conversations around you and if there are not, I hope you can find some.

Thanks for stopping by.

Take care, 

Megan 

Here are all the links you need to find my work and the galleries that represent me.

Mark making, podcasts, videos and more!

Happy May Day!

Here we are, we've made it to another Friday. I hope you are staying well. It just occurred to me that I didn't promote last week's blog post so if you missed it, you can read it here.

This week has been somewhat productive but also a bit pensive and introspective - more on that later.

I did make some work this week.

Something so awful in the beauty (temporary space)
mixed media 41x51cm/20x16" on heavyweight 250gsm paper. It has a fine-grain linen-textured surface that has been double-primed and is acid-free.
£270

Your sad parade (subject to change)
mixed media 41x51cm/20x16" on heavyweight 250gsm paper. It has a fine-grain linen-textured surface that has been double-primed and is acid-free.
£270

I also worked on a couple of other pieces and an accidental portrait. I recorded my Tuesday Studio Video Visit with a verbal walkthrough of some of the most recent works on paper.

I also recorded a new podcast to walk you through the seven works I have available through Solo Gallery in Innerleithen in the gorgeous Scottish Borders. You can view them all in a previous blog post here https://bit.ly/2Sdpxrr or just listen to the podcast here https://bit.ly/2KEzASk. You can now view and purchase them directly from the gallery from their new gorgeous website.

To the introspective part. This morning I woke up and thought about the just over five and a half years I have lived in Edinburgh and what all I have accomplished with my art during that time. You can read all of that here. It's a quick 4-minute read and it helped me put some things in perspective. Thank you for supporting my work, checking in here, and enjoying the other content I provide. Your support keeps me on the path.

Thank you.

Work, Space, Words, Breathe

The ease of being seen
mixed media, A3 size/11.7x16.5”
150gm smooth cartridge paper

To be made uncomfortable (you’re so dynamic)
mixed media, A3 size/11.7x16.5”
150gm smooth cartridge paper

Tuesday Studio Video Visit:



I was asked to share my thoughts about a couple of the paintings in the current exhibition at Irving Gallery and how the series came about and developed. I recorded a short podcast about this and I hope you will find it interesting. I suggest visiting the Irving gallery's website to look at my work while you listen. Thank you!

Listen to "Megan Chapman’s Favourite Mistakes | Irving Gallery Oxford" on Spreaker.

Support my work:
Building a community around art is an essential and joyful part of my process. Every £3 donation helps to support my ongoing practice as an artist and enables me to share my passion with you. Your donations keep me working. Thank you. Until next week, stay well and safe. The world needs you.