What do these shapes mean

This week saw a return to business as usual after the delightful visit from my neice. I returned to my studio routine and my job. 

I did still manage a bit of fun last weekend. I enjoyed a coffee meet up and some hyper local charity shopping with a pal last Saturday and then on Sunday another pal and I went to see the Phoebe Anna Traquair Murals. We also popped into a few other fringe art offerings, a lovely cafe, and a graveyard - so that's a great time in my book! I have seen the murals several times now but it was a treat to take our time and to really look at them. 

I painted a small painting (above). It is odd but has something I like about it. It doesn't exactly sit in the small series I have been working on but that's okay. 

I also finished a book I picked up in our local charity bookshop while browsing last week. I really enjoyed Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. I see it has been made into a film. I watched the trailer after I finished the book and I am glad I read the book first. I will definitely read more of Ishiguro's work. I am unsure how I missed him all these years - after all he wrote The Remains of the Day. Klara and the Sun is beautiful, moving, and very timely. 

Things cross your path when they are meant to I guess. 

That's all I have for you just now as I have a busy day ahead tomorrow. 

I hope you are well, happy, and inspired wherever you are. And if not, tomorrow is another day. Keep fighting! 

A new manifesto

A reminder © 2010 Megan Chapman

This week in the studio consisted of starting one new painting ( it has a long way to go, or I would show you) and completing the third installment of my collaborative effort with English artist Steven Heaton. I also managed to mail out some art as well, which for some strange reason is always the hardest part.

I wish I could say I was on fire in the studio, but this week consisted of a lot of business emails, tax preparation, inventory, promotions, meetings, and mixers with potential clients. It was productive, but not in the creative way that an artist dreams of. However, necessary just the same.

I've come to some conclusions this week. I need to change some things in my life so that I can pursue my art while maintaining my health and peace of mind. I don't really want or need to get into them here, but lets just say things are out of balance. Making art can be just like any other career, and you can push yourself too hard at times and lose sight of the other elements of your life. I am struggling with this currently, and need to stop just escaping into my art world. I have always had issues with balance, but it is really catching up with me. To remedy this, I hope to spend some time out of doors in the sun (if the weather cooperates) out of my studio, away from my cell phone and over long lists, and away from the computer too. It is time to refocus my energy.

As a dear friend put it, I need to switch off and become a cloud watcher for awhile. So that is what I plan to do.

Music for watching clouds:



see you next week, with either stories of clouds or more art...