The risk that brought me here

Pettiwick Bay, St. Abbs.

Adventures are good for the soul. For the past two weeks, our friend James has taken us in his car (we don't have one and I haven't gotten my UK license yet) to places I have never seen. Last week we went to the lovely village of Culross in Fife. This week, we walked high on cliffs above the North Sea at St. Abbs. 

I sat above the sea on the mossy ground and breathed in the air and listened to the wavelets on the shore below. I imagined all the people before me who had seen the view and all the people who would see it in the future. This place isn't going anywhere, but I am just passing through. I thought about the power of the land to soothe, inspire and intrigue.

After our Scottish seaside adventure, we crossed the border to England and wandered the town of Berwick upon Tweed. We walked around looking at their ramparts, bridges, and buildings. And then just like that (thanks to James' driving), we were home for dinner. 

I never thought I would see any of this. I certainly never thought I would live here and be able to walk these cliffs or get to know this land. It's a risk that brought me here and risks can feel scary and unsure. Just like making art. 

This week I have been working on a possible commission and I am a little out of my comfort zone but at the same time excited and challenged. Here's my Tuesday Studio Visit Video with more on that. 

I don't have any photos of the possible commission that I can share, as it is a possible gift. That is if I can materialize it to my satistfaction. It's all good and secretive on my end and may not even happen, but it's giving me plenty to think about and work on, and that is a gift to me. 

It's the first of September, there is rain on the cobbles and a coolness to the air. I think I am going to grab another cup of tea and head to the studio for another adventure in risk. 

Take care out there. Until next week, keep fighting.

Just around the corner...

a favorite place (when I close my eyes)
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

Today is a day where anything seems possible. The sky is grey and the leaves are brilliant green. Flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing around. The air is cool and everything is a verdant paradise. Spring is here, no doubt about it. I love these days. It stormed in the night, bringing with it this cooler weather. It feels like something magical is about to happen just around the corner, the air feels charged and the music sounds even sweeter. I hope your Friday is treating you well.

Besides all this flowery talk of Spring, I managed to paint again this week! I am slowly but surely getting back on track. I told you I would have eight new miniature flashcard series pieces to share with you and I do! If you are interested in any of these pieces just email me at megancha@gmail.com to reserve your painting.

The "flashcard" series is a new selection of affordable miniature works on paper. The paper isn't perfect, there are some rough bits where the tape masked the borders. These works are about the process, the immediacy, the action of making. These are flashcards and the paintings are the answer. You provide the questions.

trajectory b
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
Sold

the vines
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

static
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

solace
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

restructuring
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
Sold

quiet voices
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

where two points meet
mixed media on paper 6x4"
© 2011 Megan Chapman
$25

In other news, I also have a new 16x20" painting to share with you as well! This is just a quick studio snap shot. I am very excited to have worked on canvas again, this is the first canvas painting I have worked on since my Falling into Sound exhibition in November 2010.

this is the part (where she wakes up)
mixed media on canvas 16x20"
$425
© 2011 Megan Chapman

I keep feeling like I am not painting enough, but when I look back I know that it is not true. Since January, I have painted twenty Maps of the night, and sold all but two of them. I have also painted these sixteen flashcard series paintings and have sold ten of them so far. I also painted the above 16x 20" work. Not to mention I completed the huge seven foot by five and a half foot painting commission as seen below.

Silence in the drifting
mixed media on canvas 7x5.5'
© 2011 Megan Chapman
commission/sold

All this was created while working and helping with the Fayetteville Underground, writing about art and beyond, maintaining my photography, and selling other works. I also happen to have a life outside of art (I do - I really do!!). I am writing this to remember. It is so important to remember, because it is so easy to forget and discredit. I would say that this has been a very productive three and a half months. Let's see what happens next!

As always keep fighting. The world needs your art.