Holiday in Edinburgh: Fringe Edition!

It feels like a long time has passed since I posted last week. Since then, I had a wee staycation in the city. I never take holidays, so when my youngest niece said she was popping over for the Fringe I decided to make the most of it too.

I don't think I had been to anything relating to the Fringe since 2019 (otherwise known as the before times). My niece picked several shows and I joined her for three on Monday and then I chose a show for Tuesday and she joined me. My niece went on to see many other shows as well and got a good survey of the Fringe offerings and venues.

I wanted to make note of the Fringe shows I attended this week. You can click on the links below to read about them - all are good and worthy of your money and support.

1. QFWFQ - Gregory Nussen 
Summerhall (Former Gents Locker Room)
2. Tether by Wonder Fools 
Summerhall (Main Hall)
3. Jess Fuchs - Feral 
Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two)
4. The Tao of Lloyd - Dennis Trainer Jr.
Assembly Rooms (Drawing Room)

I would highly recommend Tether - I shed a few tears, the venue was great - the music incredible and it was a moving cross cultural story and experience. A stunning minimalist production. 

I would also highly recommend The Tao of Lloyd. It was a tour de force of Gen X memory and reverie against a backdrop of taoist concepts and thoughtful and even somewhat risky political angst. Out of the four shows we attended together this was the only one that wasn't sold out and I feel it deserved to be. If you are left of the dial (musically and politically) then get a ticket and go support this show. Actor Dennis Trainer Jr. fully embodies the role. The show will leave you thinking about it days later. 

We also saw a bit of art, sampled some cafes and restaurants, the crowded Royal Mile and Grassmarket and the various festival courtyards for the vibes and a spot of people watching. We enjoyed wandering New Town and Stockbridge too. Edinburgh was hot, sunny, otherworldly, and a bit of a blur (and I live here - so that's saying something). 

We even made a day trip to enjoy Dunbar and to retrace our final steps overlooking the sea along the John Muir Way (which we completed together 4 years ago now). It was great to put our feet in the water this time around. While there we also enjoyed the lovely Found Gallery. It is a friendly space filled with beautiful and accessible work. It was especially great to see artist Dan Murray's paintings and prints there. 

We also explored the slightly calmer wilds of my neighbourhood in Leith enjoying the local cafes and wee shops. We also popped in to see my good pals at Cyan Clayworks for their brilliant Fringe offerings.

While we were there, they recommended that we dash across the street to take in Worship: a solo exhibition by Surface Ritual at Customs House Gallery. The exhibition focuses on faith and culture through the gaze of the Ghanaian Diaspora and continues through the 16th of August. While there, I bought a zine of vegan Ghanaian recipes and have been assured I now have the best recipe for Jollof Rice. I am looking forward to making it. Go check out the exhibition this weekend.

I had a great visit with my niece and it really made me appreciate living in such a beautiful, walkable, buzzing city of culture. We can never take it for granted. We must keep supporting the artists and the locals that make it what it is.

And to all the artists and arts workers taking creative risks and sharing your gifts, thank you.

Keep fighting!

The Small Furniture

a collection of weeks

I can't believe it's already Friday (says every older person everywhere). Time slides past at a rapid pace. Why do the first 18 years of life go at a snail's pace and then pick up speed steadily thereafter? Do our developing brains perceive time differently?

Regardless, here I am sitting in my favourite chair by the open window. Today's song endlessly loops on my headphones as I write. A strong matcha over ice in a tall blue handblown glass from Terra Studios in Arkansas will light the fire within. 

I am going to take a page out of my friend Julia's wonderful blog this week, and perhaps just share a few flashes from my week. 

You can see the paintings (above) in progress on my easel from the weekly prompted sessions with my mother. Last Sunday, I didn't have much in me, but I did work on two pieces rather than just one even if it was mostly just painting things black. Progress, not perfection, and all that. 

But I have gotten ahead of myself. On Saturday there was the Stop Trump Rally and demonstrations at various locations across Scotland. I went along with my neighbours and it was good to see so many people out and outraged.

Scots give good signage

On the way home, after the protest, I took a photo of the St. Columba's Charity Shop window as they do a good job of their display. It is always full of colour, pattern, and a sense of nostalgia. I needed and enjoyed the visual relief.

Charity shop vibes

On Monday, I took a bright neighbourhood walk around some of my favourite parts of the Water of Leith. I have been dealing with a random hip injury and haven't been walking quite as much this past month. The sun was bright and lovely and the sky was blue. I went to visit my Scottish friend tree (my original friend tree, was my childhood touchstone back in Arkansas). I was unnerved to find my local tree had been cut back significantly by the council. I hate that it has been disturbed but I also know it was diseased in parts and they seem to be doing a very careful job trimming it. I must have faith that it is being cared for and not that it is about to be destroyed - that would be too much for me to bear. I told it that it was strong and resilient, and to root down and resist if needed. I kissed its knobbly bark and thanked it for its grounding presence in my life. I have two wee branches of it now in my home - I love it so.

water of leith

Scottish friend tree

On Tuesday, I met my pal Julia in the city centre for lunch and a blether. We met on the steps of the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. It was a strange thrill to sit on the big steps and wait for my pal. I have always liked sitting on the sidewalks/pavements and I used to say that anywhere I could do that, I felt at home.

School children waited in a line with their minders to go in and have a big adventure. It brought to mind field trips of my youth, and how exciting it felt to be somewhere new as a group - wild, free, and out of the classroom! 

Waiting on a friend

this must be the place

During our outing, I spied some handmade dollhouse furniture in the window of a charity shop in Morningside. I exclaimed when I saw it and had that instant rush of being pretty sure that I needed it in my life. My palms tingled - the same way they do when I see art that I resonate with - that "got to have it" energy flooded my system, worried someone might beat me to it. But it was doll house furniture... Did I really need it... What would I do with it? Why did I love it so much and what did it really represent?

I took a picture of it in the window and looked at the picture the whole time we were browsing inside. Never one to make a rash decision, we left the shop to look at a few others nearby, but I was distracted, still itchy and worried someone might get it. We walked back up the street and looked in at it one more time, and the tears came. I had to have it. It didn't matter if it didn't make sense; it made sense to me. It represented something important to me - it reminded me of home, my mother, and my brothers. It reminded me of the dollhouses and the furniture that they made together late at night for me after my mom had worked all day. It reminded me of all the love and care that goes into the making. It deserved a good home that would understand and love it the right way. I needed my mother to see it and to know that I was thinking of her.

When I walked in to buy it, the relief was immediate. The shop volunteer called out for an assistant to come and retrieve the pieces from the window. I caught the eye of a man who smiled at me knowingly regarding the handcrafted treasure I would be taking home. I was excited to unveil it to my mother over a video call a couple of hours later. She understood and appreciated it just like I did. It was worth every penny.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I was busily back at work, but rest assured, the small furniture was set up nearby so I could steal glances at it.

I am thankful for the moments of joy and the crashing waves of sadness. I am grateful that I feel big emotions and that I have friends and trees that I can share them with. I am grateful for the family that created me and shaped the things I value.

Here’s to the things that bring us joy and tears. Until next week, keep fighting for all your small furniture moments.

I kept all your letters

Sometimes I wonder if I should have a separate place to write things that aren't about art. I wonder if that would make it easier to always write "on time." But then if I was writing somewhere else there would be no exact time to do it and there would be nothing here on "Friday."

So here I am, not exactly wanting to write about art. There are two things I sort of want to write about. The first is that I picked through someone's flat moving remnants outside their building. They were kind enough to take a photo and share it online - a community offering before it would be taken to a charity shop. I picked up 2 bags of castoffs. I took photos of my haul and shared it with friends and family. I tallied up its retail value. I commented that it was obviously the possessions of a much younger woman but with the taste of my inner child. I even took a stack of her hot pink and yellow coloured paperbacks - 8 of them in the pile. And this is maybe where it ventures into art. The concept around methodically reading another person's books, void of choice - like a street assigned reading list.

I get a bit excited by limitations.

I get overwhelmed by all the choices at the grocery store or in shops. But, I love the treasures left on the street or in the racks of the charity shop. I love the fated aspect of it. I usually find exactly what I need and when I need it. I needed a boost and I got a second Christmas from her leaving offerings, complete with mustard yellow low top Converse All Stars exactly in my size. She wrote on the toes of both shoes, "life's too short to waste" in black pen. 

I noticed the faded mantra the next day. 

I feel like I have wasted my fair share of life but I also feel we are probably meant to or maybe there is no way to actually waste it. I hope that's the case. However it all works out, I was glad to receive her message.

So I am reading her books and living with her things and wishing her well on her move. 

The second thing I sort of wanted to write about was some local genealogy research I have been doing but I can't write about it poetically. Genealogy is mostly frustrating, with flashes of magic here and there - stories and family ghosts pulling me along into a puzzle of history and dumb luck. An hour becomes a whole day and I can't look away. It all points back to the tip of my new shoes. Am I wasting my life? Surely not.

I like to think the ancient family knows I am looking for them and that they are glad I am here. They are as curious about me as I am of them. 

They whisper, there is art in all of this.

Dedication

 

Thank you. 

Here we are

Sick girl, 80x85cm, 1882

Mikael Peter Anchor

Some of you may have noticed that I missed the Tuesday Video Visit this week and am just a bit late with my studio blog. After having a lovely visit with family last week "seeing all the things," I caught COVID for the first time. So I have been on the sofa in my wee nest of sickness for the past week. 

Not sure exactly when I will be back in the studio - I mean I would love to say sometime next week, but I don't want to push it. I really want to fully recover as completely as possible. I wouldn't say that I have had a "mild" case of it, but I do think I am starting to feel better, and after a week, my symptoms are improving. Yay! Please keep being careful out there. 

In other news, I will direct you to Subatlantic, the band that my brother Sean Chapman is part of. Their new album has just been released on all streaming platforms and you can buy it from Bandcamp to put some actual money in their pockets. It's a great album, go give it a listen and support them if you are able. 

I listened to it with my big headphones on while doing nothing else but just listening and sometimes reading the lyrics. It reminded me of being a kid and the thrill of buying a new album - getting it home and spending the afternoon with it, reading the liner notes, listening to all the parts, daydreaming, and just going where the music took me. It's an album that deserves to be listened to in sequential order all the way through (at least once) - so you can fall into the story of it. It was a joy to give myself that time with their music. 

I do hope you go have a listen. 

That's all I have for this week. Be good to each other. Take care. See you soon. 

She feels like a tourist

Somewhere over the rainbow

Experiments

 

Hello Dear Blog Readers, 

How are you doing? Can you believe we are already heading towards the end of July? Time is so odd these days.

I happily have more family visiting from the States this week, so I haven't been as focused on work as I sometimes am. However, I did go to the studio one day this week to work on some raw canvas and other bits and pieces. I also recorded my Tuesday Studio Video Visit (see below if you missed it). I visited a new art supply shop in town, visited the Scottish National Gallery among other amazing places in Edinburgh, and did some work with the union. Seems like a solid week. 

I am going to post this and go be a tour guide again for the next two days - we have a lot of sights to see! I hope you are well, happy, and inspired wherever you are. If not tomorrow is another day, just keep fighting. See you next week! 

I'll meet you there

new this week (this painting no longer exists)

Hello Dear Studio Blog Readers. 

Thank you for being here and spending some of your sunny time with me. 

It's positively roastin' here in auld reekie! My niece Elena has been here with me since late Saturday night taking a break from her world travels. It's been great to have her back in Scotland.

I am pleased that I managed to maintain my studio, my Tuesday Studio Video Visit, and now my blog schedule and even did some work with the Scottish Artist's Union this week. I am really happy that I was able to put my studio practice high on the list while still enjoying the sun and some of the sights with Elena. After where I've been lately, this feels like a noteworthy accomplishment.

That's the thing - these things don't need to take a lot of time, just some time and consistency - a promise. Magic happens when you show up even in short bursts. 

This is Elena's last full day in the city, so after I write this I am off to jump on a bus and meet her in the wild for a bit more exploring and sunshine. 

Now to the art. 

Currently, my studio work schedule is Monday, Tuesday and Friday. 

I managed to start two new pieces this week and work back into one I started last week. At last count, I think I now have 9 pieces on the go. This is a good feeling. Currently, I am only using materials I already have in the studio - trying to avoid purchasing any new materials for the time being. I am curious how long I can go. I like to set myself a challenge. 

a piece from last week that I worked back into that is now finished

Here's the Tuesday Studio Video Visit if you missed it on my other social networks. 

In other news, the brilliant Blunt Knife Co. is closing its doors on Thistle Street in Edinburgh so make plans to go by soon and buy one of my prints, pretty please!!  Their last trading day is Saturday 15 July. Make Haste! Support them and me!

Available Now at Blunt Knife Co. Edinburgh for £25 each!
Get one from the shop before they close!

In other other news, I did some more litter cleanup this week, I highly recommend finding a small area nearby and just cleaning it up - it is amazing how much satisfaction can be felt after working for an hour or less and making a visible difference. A cure for what ails, I tell ya! If you do this - take a before and after picture and message it to me and I will send you a coupon code to save money in my shop. Thank you for making the world a better place. 

That's all I have for you this week on the Studio Blog. Be well and enjoy the sun. Thank you for staying the course with me. 

Like what I share? Support me!

My warrior, my champion is gone

I don't want to write this post, but I do want to honour my best boy, best friend, companion and love, champion, warrior, protector, familiar, dear heart - my sweet Theo. 

We worked so hard for as long as we could, but we had to say goodbye on Wednesday, April 26th 2023. 

My heart and house feel so empty. 

I will never forget you, Theo. Thank you for all the love, joy, and comfort you gave me and for everything you taught me. Thank you for being with me as I learned so much about my new country and myself. Every day I got to come home to you was a good day no matter what was going on in my life or in the world. 

Words will never express how much you meant to me or our bond. I would do it all over again and I wish I could. 

Hug your dear animal family, they aren't here long enough. 

Many thanks to Connor and Beatrice at Braid Vets and everyone else who crossed paths with Theo during his care there. I will always be grateful.

Rest in Power

At a march and rally for Scottish independence in 2019

I was lucky to have Pat Bremner in my corner and in my life. Pat was a dedicated arts and culture lover and an engaged independence supporter. Perhaps more importantly to me personally, Pat was beyond loving and thoughtful when she welcomed me into her family with openness and care. I will always be grateful for the inclusion I felt in her company. 

We enjoyed films and lunch dates in the city, political marches and rallies, a bit of "Call the Midwife" back in the day and of course genealogy and "Who do you think you are." She took me to Women for Independence meetings. We visited the House of Records, the National Library and genealogy societies always looking for information on my "brick wall" which Pat invested an incredible amount of time in helping me try to tear down. I could tell her with excitement about new genealogy discoveries and knew she would be excited too. She took me to Holyrood Palace and hosted a Scottish Night at her house to immerse me in the culture. Quiz games were hosted over delivered Chinese food and laughs and chats about anything and everything were commonplace pre-pandemic. Flowers, plants, cards, and thoughtful gifts for special occasions and just because pepper my memories.

She was a champion of my work attending most exhibitions and open studios if they were accessible. She was an avid collector and patron. She was invested in me as an artist but also as a person unconditionally and her love and compassion meant the world.

Her last present to me was a big teacup with a painting of the poet Maya Angelou on it and a quote by her that reads, "If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."

Thank you Pat for loving and seeing me, and for all you gave to the world with your bright heart and compassionate spirit. You are deeply missed. 

Holiday!

I am away on holiday walking the John Muir Way with my niece Elena, from the west to the east coast of Scotland. This is the first holiday I have had since December/January of 2017/18. Nature is everything. Normal service will resume when I am back from the trail. 

I recorded this week's Tuesday Studio Video Visit from Balloch, the first stop on the path. 

Scotland, you are a magical wonder and your people are golden. I am so proud to call you home. 

And to everyone else, thanks for stopping by. I hope you are well, happy, and inspired and if not today - perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps on a path somewhere in the sun, you will be. Sending love and gratitude your way.

Ancient, old-fashioned, and new

Edinburgh is not just a city but a friend - my ghostly companion made of cobblestone, sandstone, and extinct volcanoes. Strong and sure when I am not, I water the flowers with my tears. They grow so well in summer (and things stay green in the spring, winter, and autumn too). The streets are dirty and trash blows across the beauty just to knock us all down a peg or two. The pavements are wide enough for us all but also selective in places. We fall into line and most of the time it's worth it. The Castle looms and Arthur's Seat is a beacon, both a reminder to look up and outward.

The sun is a joy when it visits, every sunburn is worth it. The haar turns a typical day into a mystery. The rain is the backing track to dreams and disappointments. The local voices sing their hellos and goodbyes as the Firth of Forth holds us and soothes our edges.

I walk into the sun, smell the jasmine, hops, and weed as I dodge dog shite and old mattresses with a smile on my face. My city has so many faces and this comforts me. Together we keep evolving- ancient, old-fashioned, and new. 

++++++++

My brother Sean and his lovely wee family were in town this week visiting from the states, the above post is a short reflection of the visit, and of being a tourist in my own backyard. I remember why I love this city and Scotland as a whole. It was a wonderful week of seeing it all and reconnecting with my family.  I am thankful for the good people of Scotland and Edinburgh for making them feel welcomed and consider myself lucky to live here. It was good to take a week off work to enjoy it all with people I love dearly. Haste ye back! Here's the Tuesday Studio Video Visit if you missed it. 

In art news: 

I received the six new small works back from Leith Framing Studio - always a delight to see them framed. I will soon be taking them to the fabulous Velvet Easel Gallery in Portobello for the next mixed exhibition, which opens a week from today! 

The Velvet Easel Gallery would like to extend a warm invitation to our new mixed exhibition, The Stars Go Waltzing.

The exhibition will feature a myriad of new and exciting artists as well as work by those already popular in the gallery. Drinks and nibbles will be served throughout the opening day on Saturday 6th of July

The Stars go Waltzing will run from Saturday 6th July to Sunday the 27th October and the gallery opening hours are:

Thursday - Saturday 10 - 5
Sunday 12 -5

In other exhibition news, mark your diaries and get your free ticket (see link below). I am delighted that I will be participating in the Out of the Blue is 25 Exhibition, Thursday 18th - Thursday 25th July. Join us for the exhibition launch: Thursday 18th July, 6pm - 9pm (book free tickets), The  exhibition will be open daily from 10am-5pm (except Sunday)

An exhibition of our studio artists’ work to celebrate 25 years of Studio provision in Edinburgh by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.

Out of the Blue is delighted to present an exhibition showcasing the rich array of practices taking place behind our studio doors. Bringing together painters, textile artists, jewellers and everything in-between as a celebration of ingenuity, imagination, innovation, and craft.

Until next week, keep fighting. 

Passing through in stillness

I am writing this studio blog on a Saturday morning since I am on holiday in Arkansas and the days have gotten away from me. I will backdate it for yesterday for consistency. I am sitting in the extraordinary Fayetteville Public library in the locally owned Arsaga's cafe located in the foyer.

I am listening to Brambles and their album Charcoal on my headphones. I have a soy chai latte by my side. I have just said goodbye to my brother Sean and his family after enjoying a lovely vegan breakfast scramble at a new place (new to me - there are so many places here in my old hometown that are new places to me). Stewart is upstairs in the library reading comics.

I am alone and everything is empty and quiet around me and there is a large Christmas tree made out of books surrounded by red poinsettias. I have sat at this table with my computer before when I lived here but I don't live here now. I am a visitor. I have dreamed of being a visitor from this seat when I lived here before. It is a grey overcast day, and the skeleton trees reach out into the mist and a lone pine stands tall and comes into view. A few people trickle into the library.

This is a studio art blog but I am not writing about art. This week, I am using my studio blog to find peace and a moment of reflection. This is not my standard place or view but I know it well. This library is my sanctuary and a place of pause and rest. I am exhausted and on the brink of tears but here in this library I feel space and hope. This has always been a safe space for me,  with all the amenities one could need. I am grateful.

I am grateful to be able to sit here alone, safe and warm surrounded by books, music, film, art. This beautiful space filled with dreams and aspirations, a place that offers more of a level playing field than we often find in American society. Libraries are key to a civilized society.

I return to myself. I sink into the orange chair, my fingers find the soft flat keys of my computer as the spices of my Chai feel peppery in my throat.

Just as I relax for a moment, I realize this is usually when I post my annual year-end wrap-up. As, a kindness to myself, I vow to write that post another day, perhaps next week. A friend and collector stop by my cafe table, radiant with her beautiful new baby, we share a moment of smiles and chat. This is a lovely town, it is a different town than I grew up in now, but still full of good hearts and sharp minds.

I think about other ways I can write about art or culture or this town, but again as a courtesy to myself, I am just going to write about this experience of sitting here as it unfolds.

The music ebbs and flows, the atmospheric dark string and piano arrangements punctuate the scene as more people enter the cafe and the town continues to wake up and make their Saturday plans. I am just passing through, in stillness.

******* art moment *******
If you missed it on my Facebook art page you can see my Tuesday Studio Video Visit again here. I visited the Chancellor Hotel and the Fenix exhibition here in Fayetteville which will be on display until January 9th.


Happy new year wishes for all. Thank you all for reading my blog, sharing and supporting my work. Until next week and next year, keep fighting! The world needs you and your work!

I am of the dirt, cedar, and pine.

Greetings from Arkansas! These next few blog posts might be a bit different from my usual Studio Blog. I hope you will enjoy them.

We arrived late Sunday night, all flights were smooth and on time. Like a vacation in the sky, I enjoyed the films on the first and longest flight, especially Brillo Box (3¢ OFF), the story of one family and their prized Andy Warhol Brillo Box. It's a story about the importance of growing up with art and how it moves through a family, their memories, and then into the greater art world.

On our first day here, we helped to take down Glow, Float, Drone, a sound and light exhibition by artist and dear friend, Craig Colorusso. It was so great to see his work again. It felt like the best way to signal that I was home. We really enjoyed swinging as the drone sounds played against the grey sky as we propelled ourselves higher. I was returned to childhood in an instant.

Later we came out to my parent's place in Winslow, Arkansas population 300. It's a beautiful rural spot on top of a hill that frequently wakes covered in fog. The skeleton trees of winter show that we are surrounded by various ridges and valleys. It feels good to have all this space and fresh air. There have been highway walks, rambles around the land and gathering of seed pods, lichen-covered sticks, ivy and tall grasses. Many photos have been taken.

The Tuesday Studio Video Visit was filmed at my parent's house this week. I did a partial tour of their art collection. They have art in every room of the house and always have as long as I can remember. The art has shaped and inspired my life. If you missed it on my Facebook art page you can see it again here.


And that's all I have for you this week. The tree is up and decorated with decades of family-made treasures, the rest of the family is headed our way soon and after a warm week, there is a dusting of snow on the ground. Time for a cup of tea and a wander.

I am of the dirt, cedar, and pine. I am of the wild wind of Arkansas.

Until next week, Happy holidays to you and yours. Keep fighting, making, doing, and seeing. The world needs you and your art.

Fade into you....

Dear Readers,

First, I must say how amazed and overwhelmed I was by the reaction to last week's post and all the support of my fund raising efforts for my friend Will Boyd. Many of you responded by not only purchasing my small works on paper from my etsy shop, but by taking it a step further and re-posting or linking to my blog on your own blogs! Some of you even donated art for Will's cause, giving a percentage or all of the proceeds to Will's health care fund. Also, many of my myspace friends re-posted countless bulletins to call attention to Will and our fundraising efforts. These are all very inspiring and selfless actions. I appreciate all of this and I know that Will and his fiance Elizabeth appreciate it greatly as well.

A short list of major players:
Michele Maule : (Amazing etsy shop owner and awesome artist) promoted my blog with mentions twice in her very popular blog, How to draw a cup of coffee.



















Beth of Tangled Sky Studio: gave me another blog mention and then she donated 30% from the sale of this beautiful painting from her shop to Will's fund.



















Deborah Burrows from England, purchased one of my small works on paper and then donated this painting from her newest series and 100% will go to Will. Her lovely painting is still available and can be found in her shop. $87.00 and free shipping! Please visit her shop or contact Deborah for more information about this painting.



















Tim Lane donated a minimalist abstract painting from his pale series which sold right away in a myspace bulletin and 100% went to Will. Now, Tim has donated this painting from the same series and plans to donate 100% to Will again. $75.00 Please contact Tim if you are interested or want more information about this painting.

















Istvan Ocztos from Budapest, Hungary bought Tim's first donated painting and then is donating the painting below for $95.00 and free shipping and 50% will go to Will's cause. Please contact Istvan if you interested or want more information about this painting.














Jerome Montens from France purchased one of my small works on paper and then posted this painting in an ebay auction with a minimum bid of $40 and has pledged to donate 50% to Will's cause as well. Please visit ebay and take a look if you are interested the auction ends on October 14. So get your bids in or contact Jerome for more information about this painting.



















Thanks again to all my myspace & facebook friends that re-posted bulletins, sent helpful messages, and some even sent healing reiki energy through the cosmos direct to Will- you guys are just as important and major but there are too many of you to name! Thank you also to my dear blog readers for your continued support of me and my art.

And of course, thanks to everyone that purchased my small works on paper from my etsy shop. I sold fourteen small works on paper since October 2 when I started 20% for Will. I will continue to post new work in the shop as it becomes available and continue to donate 20% to Will the entire month of October.

Will's friend's have now set up a website that tells you more about him, as well as his humanitarian work and interests. The site makes it easy to donate to his health care fund as well. If you are interested in learning more about Will Boyd or donating please visit. www.loveisone.org

This is all about grass roots activism, caring for strangers, and sharing the wealth. There is a great deal of trust involved in all of this as well as idealism and hope. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful and supportive community. This is how we get along in a strange and uncertain world. This is how we shrink boundaries and borders and rise above.

This is how we move onward and upward.
This is how we take care of each other, and this is how we take care of ourselves.

Thank you all.

x-Megan


















All images copyright 2008 the respective artists, please do not use with out their expressed permission. thank you.

Standing on the shoulders of giants

As an artist I work alone creating my paintings in my studio, and when the work hangs in a gallery all eyes are on me. People ask me questions about technique, color, titles, education, and influences. While my work receives attention and I receive praise, there is a silent web of people that stand behind me that are always in the background of each success, each show, and each opportunity.

Today's blog is a thank you to all the members of my team. I definitely stand on the shoulders of giants, and I am grateful.

My wonderful and patient husband never blinked when I said "okay- I am quitting my day job and focusing on art." He lets me dream big and then act crazy and difficult when obstacles to my dreams come up...He has been my web designer, brochure printer, photographer, driver, art transporter, art packer, proofreader, and a fixture at art openings. He believes in me and my art, and he deals with me when I face all the ups and downs that come with being an artist. He helps me seize every opportunity that comes my way.

My entire family is incredibly supportive of me and my art. I am lucky that my family supports me in this way. They have never questioned my reasons for being an artist. They give me feedback when I ask for it, and praise. They acknowledge that this can be a crazy and hard business, but that I have the skills to make it. They are freely giving of their time and particular skills if they think can help me. Some of the services my family has provided: materials, financial support, proof-reading, editing, a sounding board for ideas, legal aid, critiques, connections, enthusiasm and interest in my work.

Teachers over the years have always focused on my creative side and made me feel smart even if I was almost failing math. I am not talking just about art teachers, I am talking about any teacher that I have ever come into contact with that pushed me and stood behind me and encouraged me to go for it. I am especially grateful to my mentor Ron Graff at the University of Oregon. His strong style of teaching, encouragement, and support got me through school. He was a beacon of light for me at the University, and I am so grateful to him.

There are many artists that I have worked with and have known over the years that have helped me tremendously. While still in school, one classmate bought a small piece of my art that was a part my BFA exhibit, before I even thought about selling my art; I was just in love with making it. When she tracked me down at my apartment and wrote out a check for $50.00, I had goose bumps. I felt like I had just won the lottery - this small thing was so monumental. There is another artist, Wendeline Matson who helped me get my foot in the door at the Blue Moon gallery and for that I will always be thankful. Sometimes, that is all it takes and can change things dramatically for years to come.The Blue Moon was the first gallery to represent me on an ongoing basis.

Gallery owners who have represented me have taught me so much, and they have stuck by me through thick and thin. They have helped me believe in myself, and have gotten my art out to people who may never have seen it otherwise. I have been lucky to work with such professionals who really are invested in art and the artists they represent.

There are so many friends over the years that have helped, supported, and purchased my art. There are friends that have helped me to celebrate my milestones, as well as friends who push me to push myself harder, when I am sliding. I don't tell them enough how lucky I am to have them in my life.

Since this post can't last forever, I will just have to summarize but this is dedicated to all the people who have talked about my art with their friends, published my art, written about my art, bought my art, offered me opportunities to show my work, took time to advise me, and have been generally supportive of me. You are my heroes. I could not do what I do without all your help, love, and support. So, thank you, I am truly grateful.

I realize that I am fortunate to have all this support and that some artists do not. I hope that this post might encourage artists out there to start counting all the forms of support that they do have in their lives, most of the time we are so busy we don't see what is right in front of us. If you still feel you lack support and encouragement, I want to give you a little. Being an artist is an important, meaningful, and valid path to take in life. We need your art in the world, and only you can make your art. I hope success, happiness, and many opportunities come your way, you deserve it.