A Closer Look Continues

A selection of my small framed works on canvas as part of A Closer Look

The exhibition was installed on Tuesday and is always the case - the artwork of the resident and affiliated artists of the drill hall clicked into place like a puzzle. With over 16 participating artists, there is a great selection of work on display. We had a lovely wine reception on Wednesday night and we enjoyed some tunes and some banter on the rainy evening. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us.

Besides the work on the walls and in the jewellery case, we also have a selection of prints, cards, and even some small originals available for purchase towards the back of the exhibition at our sales table. So do make sure to have a rummage through the racks so you don't miss some bargains.

I love the strength and variety of my peers' work on show together. It's been so great for us to get to know each other better over these last two exhibitions. It feels more like a proper community of artists currently and that is a great feeling.

The video above is a quick guided tour and the video below is a super quick jazzy taster. Remember though if you are local and able, nothing is better than seeing the show with your own eyes. 

A Closer Look
Wednesday 13th - Saturday 23rd September (Not Sunday) 

The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith EH6 8RG

Participating artists include: (Follow on Instagram)
@megan.chapman.artist
@aoife_in_leith
@catherinegiselleart
@felicityinkpen
@danmurrayartist
@jesscrisp1
@needle__bow_by_miss_modeuse
@elainewilsonvisualart
@mairimacsweendesigns
@thecityworkshop
@kategeorgedesign
@preciousmetalsworkshop
@remodecollective
@timbremnerart
@i.am.abi.art
@solencollet

Thanks for your support - until next week, go see some art and keep fighting! 

She talks to rainbows

I painted before I patched

Dirty boots

Hello. Here we are again on an actual Friday. 

Thanks for checking out the Friday Studio Blog. I hope you are doing well. I am sitting out in the sun while I write this. Thanks again to everyone who came out to support the artists of the Out of the Blue Drill Hall last week for our exhibition, Outside + In. The show came down last Saturday at 5pm. It was good to spend so much time in the hall for that week - it was like pushing a pause button on my grief. Art has always protected me in that way. 

This week I found myself plunged back into the trenches and didn't feel my best but I still managed to do a few art-related things. First, I did go to the studio on Tuesday and I decided to patch the holes and repaint my painting wall. I also looked at my paint supplies and just handled a few things in the space. I also managed to record my Tuesday Studio Video Visit! I haven't recorded one in a long time, so that was a relief to do and to do it from the studio. 

Here it is if you missed it on social media. 

I have to admit I didn't feel my best in the space at the time. That space sometimes feels like it is filled with the old ghosts of my hopes and dreams and a heavy dose of punishment. Sometimes it feels like I must go to that room to prove I am working. I must go to that room and prove I am busy and deserving of the space. I must go to that room to make myself scarce. I must go there to be contained. To be my wild self but enclosed in a windowless space where I won't bother anyone. I must go to that room to prove my dedication, worth, and my value. I must earn love and appreciation in that room. 

Heavy wee room, eh? Aye. Fuck that noise. 

So I have to exorcise it and that's what I just did. I just smudged it with the truth. Feelings come and go and feelings shared, lose their power. I am exorcising a lot. Some of you will be here for it and others might need to bail out. That's cool. 

On that same Tuesday, I also saw a fleeting exhibition by another studio mate (Ian Gonczarow). I haven't yet met him but now I have seen his work in the hall and that is a good thing - hopefully, I will meet him soon. More community the better. More art in the building, the better too. I had a good chat with an art worker in the building and my studio mate and then went to hers for lunch and I enjoyed a sunny walk home.

Wednesday (4 weeks of missing Theo) was heavy and I did hard things. Thursday, I ran errands and rewarded myself for the hard things I accomplished and was gifted with a bit of anxiety for my efforts. Yoga and meditation were required as was a book in the sun that evening. Today in the sun as I write this, I love feeling warm, surrounded by flowers, and being outside and free. I love the transportive quality of the music I am listening to - it takes me everywhere. 

In other news, I got another copy of The Artists Way and decided it was time to surrender to that process again. If you know, you know... I'm doing my morning pages and the artist's dates will follow. I got myself an A2 drawing board - it will be here soon. 

In the meantime, I am walking, walking, walking... 

"The position of the artist is humble. He (She) is essentially a channel." - Piet Mondrian

That's all I have for you this week on the Friday Studio Blog. If you missed a few posts, please go back and check them out. Thanks so much for your support!

Want to buy me a ko-fi? Click the link! Thanks!

Exhibition News! Outside + In

EXHIBITION NEWS! 

Join us for Outside + In featuring the work of the Out of the Blue Drill Hall makers and artists.

The exhibition will be held from the 15th-20th of May 2023 from 10am-5pm, with a reception on Wednesday the 17th of May from 5:30 - 7:30pm. The Out of the Blue Drill Hall is located at 36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG. All are welcome!

Here are just some of the participant's Instagram handles (check them out, give them a follow, and come to the show and see the work in person and meet the artists!). There is sure to be something for everyone and a fun and easy-going scene. See you there!

@hamillustration
@bethanyillustration
@mairimacsweendesigns
@timbremnerart
@catherinegiselleart
@megan.chapman.artist
@jesscrisp1
@cam_life_designs
@preciousmetalsworkshop
@mandmcgrattan
@twincitypictures
@aoife_in_leith
@mapplyco
@felicityinkpen
@danmurrayartist

I will be showing a selection of works from my series, "Our Favourite Mistakes." 

For what it's worth
Mixed media on canvas
61x76cm
© Megan Chapman

A place to breathe
Mixed media on canvas
61x76cm
© Megan Chapman

Our favourite mistakes
Mixed media on canvas
60x76cm
© Megan Chapman



You wouldn't just let it burn
Mixed media on canvas and white wood frame
70.5x86cm
© Megan Chapman

As some of you may have noticed, I fell behind on my blog and I haven't been using social media that much with all that has been going on in my life. I have now caught up, so please go back and read the previous posts you may have missed. Thank you for your support and care and for those that have checked on me.

Here is an easy clickable list of those entries.
Friday, March 10, 2023: See you later
Friday, March 17, 2023: Rest in Power
Friday, March 24, 2023: Looking Back: Ghosts of the Past
Friday, March 31, 2023:Radical Dreaming in Art for a Better Future
Friday, April 7, 2023: I shared this one on social media and many of you read it.
Friday, April 14, 2023: I shared this one on social media and many of you read it.
Friday, April 21, 2023: In this World
Friday, April 28, 2023: My Warrior, My Champion is Gone
Friday, May 5, 2023:  Without an Anchor
And then today (this post). 

Thank you for reading and for your support. 

If you are local to Edinburgh, I will be sitting the above-mentioned Outside + In exhibition from 3-5pm on Monday and Wednesday and also attending the reception on Wednesday night from 5:30-7:30. It would be lovely to see you there.