Exhibitions and studies

One of my paintings that will be on show at the Velvet Easel

It's Friday and I bring news from my personal art world. First, news again of two upcoming exhibitions! The first exhibition opens tomorrow (Saturday, July 6th). I borrowed the following copy from the fabulous Velvet Easel Gallery.

"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

The Velvet Easel Gallery exhibits a broad range of original art including paintings, pottery, ceramics, glass, and jewellery...we also have a wide range of prints and greetings cards and provide an ideal venue to shop for unique, unusual and quality purchases and gifts. We also sell Gift Vouchers which have proved popular for wedding, birthday, retirement, Christmas gifts etc.

Thank you as always to customers and exhibiting artists - the gallery would be nothing without you."

I hope you will make it by the gallery for the exhibition, The Velvet Easel is one of my most favourite galleries in town, always a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, and a wonderful variety of art on show. A real gem in Edinburgh. I am delighted to have six new paintings in this exhibition. 

Between memory and story, just one of my paintings that will be part of the Out of the Blue 25 Exhibition

The second exhibition opens on Thursday, July 18th. I know I mentioned both of these exhibitions in my blog last week as well but you just never know who will read one blog and not the other, so thanks for your patience. I borrowed the following copy from the fabulous Out of the Blue Drill Hall. 

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."

I have worked at my studio G23 at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street in Leith since I rented it in late December 2014, just 3 months after I made the big move to Edinburgh. All the work I have created since has been made within this fabulous old building, so I am honoured to be able to celebrate and become part of the history of the 25 years of the Out of the Blue. 

Now that we have the very important promotions out of the way. I will say that this week was spent on a series of studies. I think I did six sets of six paintings - so 36 small studies for six larger-scale works that I hope to be busy painting in the near future. It was a fun and challenging process. I painted a few things I really liked and am looking forward to transferring them to much larger canvases shortly.

Here is a rough version of one of the studies and then six of the final studies cleaned up. 

rough study

cleaned up studies ready to create on 90x120cm canvases

I think that is all I have for you this week, I would love to hear that you have visited The Velvet Easel or perhaps I will see you at the opening at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall. Regardless, let's keep in touch. Keep fighting, you miraculous creature of light and dark. I need you here. We all do. Thank you. 

Hello, My Name is...

Today, I am speaking to all the shy artists out there. The ones that are humble, quiet, and hide in the corner during the opening of their own show. The ones that hang with their own clique and keep a low profile. The ones that don't stand too close to their own work at the gallery night. The ones, that after a few hours of standing, sit in the corner looking bored or tired , or they hold up the wall by leaning against it, hands shoved in pockets. If this is you, we need to talk.

First of all, I understand your discomfort. I know that walking into a room crowded with people can be unnerving at the least, and even more so when you must come face to face with these people and talk. Your work is on the wall and they came to see it, and meet you. Horrors!!

Personally, I love this part. I love talking with people about my work, getting their reactions, explaining my process, talking about my titles. This is exhilarating to me. Making art is such a solitary process, and creative works thrive when all is quiet and isolated. When I get to clean up and be in public and communicate this process- I come alive. It is a chance for me to come out of the studio and celebrate. I know that not all artists feel this way.

Showing your art can be a vulnerable experience, like putting a little piece of your soul out on the wall for people to pick apart, or judge. Even I suffer occasionally from this unease, I cling to my husband's arm too much, I stick with people I know... Some days I am on and some days I am off. That is how it goes, but most of the time I rise to the occasion and you can too.

Here is how.

First of all, look sharp- nothing fancy just wear something that makes you feel comfortable yet confident and put together. This will make you feel better, like a power suit of sorts even if it just your favorite jeans and shirt, as long as they look clean and put together. I have power shoes, that I wear. Most of the time, I wear super practical comfy shoes, but at events I always wear wedge shoes that give me like 2-3 inches extra height. I am only 5'3 so that helps me to not feel small, and it is an easy way to grab a little confidence. Now, my wedges are always comfortable as well, and that is important, as I am going to be up on my feet working it all night long...

Second, if you are given an option to wear a name tag at an event: Do it! If people don't know who you are, then how are they supposed to talk with you about your art? I know sometimes it feels odd or embarrassing to be branded with the big white sticker announcing you to the room, but it really is helpful in so many situations.

Third, think body language. Are your hands in your pockets, are your arms crossed? Check yourself and correct. Don't close yourself off with a defensive posture, try to appear open and friendly. I have to constantly remind myself about my arms being crossed. Believe it or not but I even sleep a lot of time with my arms crossed. So, if I can do this, so can you. Keep your head up and smile. You deserve the attention. Usually after an art event my face hurts because I have smiled most of the night. It's going to a long night, and the legs or feet might be killing, but try to stand for most of the event and look alive. You are putting out energy into the room. When you sit, slouch, or lean, it is like putting a "closed" sign on your office door. Let's stay open until the end. I mean, how often do you get to work a room anyway?

Fourth, stay near your work so you can talk with people about it, but don't guard it like a dog, or hover so much that you make people uncomfortable. This is a hard balance to strike but it can be done. Be a satellite and navigate the room, but keep your art in sight and know when to tune into folks that might want to talk. Usually, I look for people who step into the work by getting really close to examine it. I also look for people who talk with their friends while pointing or gesticulating about the work to each other.

Fifth, Introduce yourself. So, once I have been alerted to folks that may be interested in my work, all I do is walk up and say " Hi, I am Megan Chapman. I am the artist of this piece and if you have any questions about the work, please let me know, and I can answer them for you." That is it. They usually want to shake your hand, and they either say "Oh great, nice job- keep up the good work" and they walk away, or they are really excited to meet you and have all sorts of questions for you and usually want to share something about themselves as well. I love that part.

That is really all there is to it. The next time you are showing your work, try these techniques, and see how you feel about it. I am not saying you have to be like Annette Bening's character, in the film American Beauty as she prepares for an open house by repeating "I will sell this house today" in a crazed way. I don't want you to feel like you have to radically change yourself or have a freeze dried smile on your face all night either. Working a room, meeting people, and talking about your work, are skills that can be learned like anything else. I have confidence in you.

No more shrinking violets, and no more wallflowers. You are an artist, and you deserve to thrive and succeed. Now, work it!