Flowers & Culture

Southern heart, mixed media on paper, 20 x 29.5 cm, ©2024 Megan Chapman

Hello Dear Readers,

I have been working on an art related project behind the scenes here and it's something I have been meaning to do for a while now. I am pleased to have finally had the time and space to tackle it and working in my new studio has certainly helped. However, I am not ready to share it yet because there is more I would like to do. I will share it soon though, I promise. 

I wasn't sure what I would write about this week due to delaying that bit of news. So, I will share a few random things and some cultural visitations.

First of all. It's DAFFODIL SEASON. That means you can walk into any grocery shop and find .95p bouquets of daffodils in bud, that bloom once you put them in some water at home. All varieties. Why isn't this a thing in the USA? This is one of my top five reasons to live over here (I am not kidding - it's probably in the top three)

Now to the culture segment:

Exhibitions: 

RSA: Modern Miniatures and Currently on view

City Art Centre: Michael Fullerton, along with a quick revisit of Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000

Open Eye: Exhibitions by Glen Scouller RSW RGI, and Luisa Ramazzotti, and On a Grand Scale featuring John Bellany, Barbara Rae DBE, and Leon Morrocco RSA RGI, as well as, On a Small Scale by selected invited artists.

Scottish Gallery: Great Escapes - Rowan Patton, James Morrison - In Focus, Various Artists - The Northern Isles Part II

Books: 

A Winter Book by Finnish author Tove Jansson. This book of short stories was given to me by my Finnish pal, Peikko. The stories were the perfect company during the dark month of January. The short story, Squirrel especially resonated. It's a lonely book of bohemian and coastal memory filled with magic that shoots one across ages and time. 

The First Bad Man by Miranda July. I have had this book for ages now, and have started it many times but this time I am going to finish it. I always enjoy Miranda's writing of the intense and deeply awkward and often relatable ways of women. You might too. 

The other day another book dropped through the door, and I was perplexed until I opened it, and I had to thank myself for preordering, Atypical Girl, Punk rock, Liverpool, and trying to be normal by Penny Kiley. I have already started it (but must finish Miranda's book first!) but I am very excited to spend more time in the pages and on Penny's journey. 

Films: (I am not going to link to trailers because I don't like them) but these are some great films that I have seen recently. (I am so glad I saw Hamnet in the theatre so I could cry in public.)

Hamnet 
Adaptation
Paterson
The Last Showgirl
Aftersun
Paris is Burning
The Florida Project

TV:

The Lowdown Created by Sterlin Harjo (I am in the middle of this and am really enjoying the Tulsa vibes). John Doe (from X) is a proper scene-stealer in one episode. Thanks Sarah for the recommendation - you were right. 

Music:

I have been listening to old Wipers albums. I was late to the party and just in time - just a tremendous band and I can see why they were so influential to so many. I have also been enjoying Amyl and The Sniffers, and GRLwood, and revisiting the music of T.S.O.L.. I have also revisited some old albums by Moby and it truly was the samples he used that always grabbed me. So I had to listen to The Famous Davis Singers. Arkansas treasure, Jesse Welles, dropped a new video with another great tune reflecting the USA at the moment, and I have been listening to it on repeat. 

That's all I have for you this week. I hope that you are okay. Please take a minute to care for yourself by enjoying some culture. It will help you to keep fighting the good fight. Thanks for being here. Stay strong. 

Illuminate me in my current puny state

Works in progress, laying the ground with gold, cadmium, and black

I am unwell on the sofa again - a tearful, anxious, snotty and coughing mess. Thank goodness for the sun that has just angled to illuminate me in my current puny state. It's not all bad, thanks to the kind delivery person (who I have now seen two days in a row) I have what I need to care for this devilish cold. She was like Florence Nightingale. I bowed my thanks to her and enjoyed our mutually compassionate conversation. Workers make the world go around - we have to stick together. Don't let the bastards divide and conquer and for the love of your god or none, don't do their work for them!

Katharine Hepburn, film still from Sylvia Scarlett. Directed by George Cukor. 1935

In other news, I have watched three films and a series of interviews. My current interest is in Katharine Hepburn. I mean I have always loved her but somehow I love her now more than ever. I have not yet viewed Sylvia Scarlett but I am not letting that stop me from sharing the stunning image above. 

I watched Katharine starring in Keeper of the Flame and Holiday, both films are by George Cukor. Then I watched several old interviews with the somewhat elusive actor - Dick Cavett had a great 2 part interview with her which you can find on YouTube.

Then I turned to Ingrid Bergman and the Arch of Triumph. As I mentioned on social media, this one was a bit of a slog - but what has struck me from the past 3 films I have watched from 1938, 1942, and 1948 is how current they feel.

Before someone put the plague upon my hoose, I enjoyed some autumnal moments and worked on a couple of other canvases (I now have 4 that are in various states of progress, which is fine by me and a good sign).

Evidence of autumn 

One of my many rituals

walking along the water of Leith

Even my latest two works in progress (seen at the top of this post) have an autumnal flash about them. I must say, I have been enjoying these Sunday paintings. I can find working a part time job and painting regularly difficult to balance. I am pleased to have prioritised my art again and I am glad my mother and I can both talk about our projects and hold each other accountable. I enjoy the humour of currently being a literal Sunday painter. I am hoping to feel well enough this weekend to work back into the two paintings above.

In other news, eleven years ago today I arrived in Scotland to make a go of it and five years ago this week I became a citizen. I hope my ancestors are happy. Thank you for being a part of it. Until next week, keep fighting but don't forget to stop to rest.

We need you and the gifts only you can bring.

Feels like September

This busted chair feels like September

Hello, Dear Readers, 

Well, there is no denying that people are fascinated with AI. Last week's blog proved popular and outranked several of my recent posts.  

I won't be using AI this week and I am happy to be sitting here in front of my computer listening to music and contemplating which thoughts to share with you. This studio blog is part of my art practice and after sixteen years, it's part of my life - even if and when the "robots" can do it better. 

It's September and the tea is still tasting good as the light starts to shift and the darkness shows up faster than I would like. For the blog this week, I thought a cultural roundup was in order. I used to do this back in the day - share the things that were inspiring, teaching, and or reminding me of who I am or who I want to be. 

Let's see: 

Podcasts: 

Working Class History: 

I just listened to E21-24: WCH Crime: The Columbia Eagle Mutiny - "about the hijacking of a ship full of napalm by two anti-war US sailors during the Vietnam war." I thought this was well done and I enjoyed listening to Alvin Glatkowski tell his amazing story. I enjoyed learning about something I knew nothing about. 

I am currently listening to another podcast produced by Working Class History. I just started E27-29: Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners - "about the young LGBT+ people who transformed the workers’ movement supporting the UK strike of coal miners in 1984-5." Give them a listen! Our world is filled with such courageous people creating change sometimes at great personal cost. I am thankful for them.

For a bit of fun, I also enjoyed listening to "Who Robs A Banksy?" A six-part series revolving around a true character by the name of Andy Link."In 2004, he kidnapped one of Banksy’s pieces of art in broad daylight from the middle of central London, and held it to ransom." You will have to listen to hear how it all plays out.

Books: 

America Over the Water by Shirley Collins. I read this earlier in the summer and really enjoyed learning about Shirley Collin's role in helping Alan Lomax get all those Southern recordings. If you are in Edinburgh - I picked my copy at Good Vibes in Leith - a super friendly record and book shop. They have great incense too. Check them out!

HELLSANS by Ever Dundas. You might not think that a story about a typeface that causes grotesque sickness in some and euphoria in others set in a dystopian future would be the book that would offer me solace as I slowly recovered from COVID-19, but you would be wrong. I clung to this book for three solid days. I badly needed to disappear from my reality and into another and Ever made that easy. This book also changed the way I relate to technology and helped me to explore some of my beliefs about myself and where I fit into this world. Reading HELLSANS reminded me of myself at 16 staying up all night eating saltine crackers and salsa while devouring Alan Moore's The Watchmen. Thank you, Ever. 

Occupy! Occupy! Occupy!: A People's History of Occupation. This 36-page comic book helped get me acquainted with the occupations that have taken place in Scotland from 1940-2021. That's an amazing feat to capture in 36 pages! What a great resource directly from the voices that took part. This is really well done and I highly recommend picking up a copy. A bargain at just a fiver! Solidarity!

BADASS HABITS by Jen Sincero. Oh no, a self-help book - who let this one in here?! Whatever - I read it and I followed along for 3 weeks as it prompted and well, it helped me. Some of it was good and some of it was yucky but it did help me figure out a few things. So, maybe it will help you.

Films: (A bit of a theme here)

Matewan
Salt of the Earth
Norma Rae
The Take
At the River, I Stand
Sunset Boulevard

TV:

Heartstopper

Only Murders in the Building

Reservation Dogs

Dark Winds

Music:

I listen to Dave Brubeck every morning while I eat my porridge. This song comes on first (I mean if that doesn't set the tone - I don't know what does).

Currently, I listen to Christian Löffler's Haul on repeat while I am out walking. You know I am listening to a variety of music all the damn time - so I am not going to get into all that. :) Some of you, even have access to my playlists - I know you are long overdue an update. Thanks for your patience.

I hope you have enjoyed this culture round-up. I had to take a break from writing it to walk over for a wee meeting about an upcoming group exhibition at the Drill Hall later this month with my studio peers. See, I fit a bit of art talk in there. I will tell you all about it next week - so you can put it in your diaries and join us.

Thanks for popping by the old studio blog. If you enjoy my blog or appreciate these particular recommendations consider leaving me a tip. Please share what is inspiring you in the comments. Until next week, keep fighting! 

The tea tastes good

Where my soul roams
Mixed media on canvas
24x24x2cm (framed)
Megan Chapman
£325
Purchase

How can it already be the 18th of August? I lost a good 3 weeks to Covid and now the rebuilding begins. As autumn approaches new ideas come forward - I always feel like the beginning of this season is more instrumental in creating new ways of being than the new year. A holdover from "back to school" days I am sure. I want to learn, I want to grow, I want to change in the autumn - I bought a pack of new pens and I cut my hair. I have a homemade calendar page on the fridge. I am ready.

I watch good films, I read good books, I discover new music. I watch for the first leaves to fall and note the shift in the light. I make plans for the darker days on the way. 

I work, I engage, I participate and help. I plant something silver and sculptural. I make friends and I rediscover my love of photography. The tea tastes good. I am alive. 

Small gestures
Mixed media on canvas
24x24x2cm (framed)
Megan Chapman
£325 
Purchase

I remembered

I have walked 68 miles so far this month and I am obsessed with Fair Isle socks, jumpers and of course, cups of tea and hot chocolate. I listen to jazz and atmospheric music with rain and crackling fire sounds. I make lists of art films I want to watch. This can only mean one thing, autumn is firmly here. 

And you know what? It's okay- it's actually rather lovely. I usually dread this time of year in Scotland because I get ahead of myself and think about what comes next, winter in Scotland - and the short days and rain.

I like spring, summer, and autumn here just not winter. It's important for me to realise that it is not winter yet, and it's always good to stay in the NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. 

Also another funny thing is that when I know WINTER IS COMING... I get out more in nature and am more active than in the sunnier and brighter parts of the year - it is my strategy to walk through the darkness. Strategies are good (I hope you have some). Anyway, I know this is an art blog but art comes from life - and walking in nature, being cosy, and falling into and recognising my autumnal strategies helps my art practice. 

So here's a bit about art, supporting artists, and your local economy and how the artist you support will in turn support their local economy too. You can see and hear me preach this gospel on the most recent Tuesday Studio Video Visit. 

So, there you have it. Our art is not on cargo ships but nearby, readily available, and waiting for you and I like autumn in Scotland just fine. Until next week, keep fighting. We need the magic you bring.

Thank you.

Small works are available from my shop.

Inspirations: There is no end to this...

I was working on a 2008 wrap up post, but I got completely overwhelmed. So I decided to put that on the back burner for now. Sometimes people just want to know what inspires me and I have written several blogs about my inspirations in the past but it has been a while. So here goes... Enjoy...

My number one inspiration over everything is music. If you ask me what inspires my paintings, I am not going to give you another painter's name but the name of a band or a song. If you want to know what bands inspire me, just take a listen to my play list. I have music on all the time from the moment I wake up until I sleep, and sometimes I even sleep to it (mostly in the summer.) Music helps me day dream, tells me stories and makes my life much more exciting and beautiful.Music is my constant companion and friend.

Another major inspiration are the films I watch. I love all types of films but I really love the films of Wong Kar-wai. Such as Chunking Express, In the mood for love, and 2046. If you are not familiar with his films, I highly recommend them. Many of you know that I am also a huge fan of Hal Hartley. Favorites include, Surviving Desire, Henry Fool, and Book of Life. Here is a scene from Book of Life



Next, the books I read. I have been a sporadic reader in the past, but have read considerably more this past year. I have always been a huge fan of Armistead Maupin and have read everything of his. But I found myself in reading lull, I just couldn't find what I was looking for until about a year ago. It turns out I just didn't know where to look. Thanks to a good friend, now I do. The works of Huruki Murakami stir my mind up in the best way. Favorites include, Kafka on the Shore, After Dark, South of the Border West of the Sun, and Sputnik Sweet Heart. After the quake, is a good collection of his short stories to get you started. I also throughly enjoy the books of Douglas Coupland, my favorites so far of his being, The Gum Thief, Girlfriend in a Coma, and Hey Nostradamus. I am also inspired by the blogs that I read, please check my blog roll on the right, and explore some of those that I frequent, you won't be disappointed.

Now to art, you would expect that I am inspired by art and of course I am. Some of these people I admire for their art, others for their business sense or lust for life. Some favorites include:
Basquiat, Hirst, Warhol, Modigliani, Schiele, Rothko, Bacon, Munch, the list could go on and on. Photographers Mann, Woodman and I truly love the works of Robert Polidori in his book Zones of Exclusion: Pripyat and Chernobyl. These photographs are haunting, the colors are lovely and it is amazing to see these places returning to the earth after being abandoned due to the Chernobyl disaster. I highly recommended this book. I found it in my local library, perhaps it is in yours?

I am also inspired by the art that my friends and family produce. Artists in general inspire me, to be an artist is a labor of love and it takes courage. I admire all the artists that are quietly going for it or beating down doors to be seen and heard.

I hope I have turned you on to some new inspirations or that you have gotten to know me just a little bit better. I thank you for reading my blog and sharing some of your precious time with me. It means a lot to me and you all inspire me as well.

If this wasn't enough of my inspirations and you are new to this blog, there are several previous posts you might want to check out.

Inspiration Grab Bag
Six Amazing artists you should know
Rainy Day? Say goodbye to boredom with Fun
What my mind needs