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!

It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)

What a difference a few days make... Thanks to everyone who read my studio blog (posted this Monday for last Friday). I really appreciate the comments and private messages - I still owe a couple of you replies. Thank you for reading and for your concern, suggestions, and support. You are beautiful people and artists that give and give and give. I see you.

So... I spent most of the day on Monday writing that blog and I felt much better afterward. Thanks to some of the feedback I received, I was planning to take it easy for a spell and spend some time on the wee beach across from the house after I filmed the Tuesday Studio Video Visit. I was getting ready to head out to my studio at the Drill Hall with every intention of filming from the 25th Anniversary exhibition there, but then something else happened. 

I was invited to pop by a fellow artist's studio and have a wee cuppa and a blether. I thought that sounded grand, so off I went, putting my plans for the day on the back burner. I had just purchased a lovely piece of work by this artist about 2 weeks prior. That is when we met for the first time and I was looking forward to saying hello and getting to know this artist better. As luck would have it, her studio was just down the road - a few minutes walk. I had passed the area many times before without notice due to a large gate, this time I entered through a wee door and into a fabulous old complex of stables built around the 1840s. It was a hot and sunny morning and all the doors were open to allow the old space some sun and air. I met my new friend and her beauty of a dog and was shown around the charming place before we stopped for our coffee chat. I exclaimed as we entered every room -excited and inspired at once. Ferns growing in a pocket of damp, the old cobbled floors, and ivy trailing through the ceiling in parts made the place feel like a country dream. The curved rock wall and solid old beauty just made my heart sing. As I think you know, I love the old crumbling things and have wanted for a long time to stage an exhibition in a space like this. Possibilities were screaming out from every corner with photos to be taken, art to be made, and secrets lost to history to be heard anew. But, I was just there for coffee and was happy that my new friend had such an inspiring place to make her art. 

We chatted in the sun and at some point, she asked if I would like to sketch in the courtyard. Very generous and kind, she had read my last blog. Perhaps a change of scenery would help. I already felt more inspired just by walking through the place. There was one room in particular that jumped out at me, and somehow I asked if I might be able to paint in there sometime. I was thinking for a day or two... she was keen on having me work there for longer than that. In fact, on the spot, she gave me a big broom, dustpan, coveralls, bin bags, and a bucket of soapy water. A plan was hatched! I spent the rest of the day there sweeping until I had blisters on my hands - propelled by her generosity, the wonder of the place, and a head full of possibility. As I was sweeping, I found the word "freedom" on the floor. 

I filmed my Tuesday Studio Video Visit from the space, red-faced and shocked with joy. 

On Wednesday morning, I was given my own key - putting it on my keyring felt important. I am thinking of this opportunity as an artist residency of sorts to help me gain a new perspective and to focus differently on my work. I have wanted to paint larger for quite a while and this space will allow me to explore the possibilities. I went to my studio at the out of the blue and packed up some essentials - paint, charcoal, paper, brushes, canvases, and called a pal to help me transport it. I also ordered a couple of large canvas/twill drop cloths to protect the old floor and a 5x33ft. roll of primed canvas! I spent the rest of Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning sorting things out and by the end of Thursday I had a completed a painting from my new dark series and worked on several small book works. 

Newly completed painting

Today, I worked on another dark series piece. I, of course, love everything about this experience - how it came about, the generosity, vulnerability, and trust involved. I am thankful for this more than you can know and I am excited to see what comes from this time.

In March I wrote these words, "you'll find me standing against the decaying and water-damaged walls of abandoned houses listening." Well, that's where you'll find me...

With gratitude from my heart to yours, keep fighting and keep giving. Beauty is where you find it. Thank you.