When it rains...

my hand in the studio ©2010 Megan Chapman

It pours.

The three paintings I have been working on since the beginning of June finally decided to come into being. I managed to have a productive week in the studio! First, I spent a lot of time just looking at the works that had been alluding me and thinking about them. I also discussed them in fits and starts with my peers. I then spent time in my studio with my doubts about my art, the art world, people in general, you know just working myself into a frenzy and then suddenly they all came together! I feel a great sense of relief and momentary hope. I think one work may have a little bit further to go, but for now I am holding back and calling it done.

Thanks for checking in here and being an encouraging voice when I was at the wall wondering what to do next. Thanks also for your support and lovely comments about the institute du loop exhibition.

Without further ado, here are the newest members of the white series. These are just studio snap shots, but they give you an idea...

when I close my eyes
© 2010 Megan Chapman

tie a stone to my heart and watch it sink

© 2010 Megan Chapman

you will find me here (at the end of the line)
©2010 Megan Chapman

And for those interested: this song was on repeat and loud on my headphones while it all came together in the studio.

And of course, I am still working on behalf of the institute du loop. I so enjoy being surrounded by the artist's words, sounds and photographs, they come together so well to engulf me and make for a lovely place to hide while I wait for paint to dry.

institute du loop: a place to drown
on display through July 31.
Hive gallery Fayetteville Underground
gallery hours W-F 12-7 and Saturday 10-5

Photographs are $30 per image (open edition) and they are also priced by the wall collection. There is a visual journal with images and words by the artist for $ 15.00, a limited edition exhibition poster for $25.00 and the soundtrack composed by the artist is available for $10.00. Near or far, please contact me if you would like more information about this exhibition at megancha@gmail.com

You and whose army...

This is a long overdue post.

Here is the deal. I feel I have a large supportive army behind me and I don't thank them as often as I would like. These people talk to me, write me, laugh and cry with me. These people inspire me, support me (sometimes with their purchases), but more often with their advice, time, attention, energy and love. I can't thank you all specifically, as I imagine some of my army would like to remain somewhat anonymous. I hope this post will still carry as much weight without a list of names and reciprocating web and blog links. I hope you can feel it in your heart what you mean to me and that you will know I am talking to you.

Thank you to everyone who has ever emailed or told me you saw my work, whether online, in a publication, or in the flesh and told me that it moved or inspired you. Thank you to everyone who reads and comments on my blog, blip, myspace, and facebook pages. Thank you to anyone who has made it a point to come up and talk to me at a gallery opening, or in my studio about my art. I feed off your positive energy. Thanks to all my teachers, good and bad who had a hand in shaping my artistic voice, you pushed me hard either way. I loved to work hard to impress you, learn more, and grow. I worked just as hard to prove you wrong about me if you ever had any doubts. Thanks to my best friends, who share their music, movie and book selections with me and keep feeding my soul when it gets empty. Without you I wouldn't keep playing this game. Thanks to all the artists that have come before me and left their beautiful, flawed lives behind in their art and stories. Thanks for all the living artists who give advice away freely and inspire and encourage. Thanks for all the people in my life who know I struggle at times, thanks for the ones who worry and let me vent and say ridiculous things when I need to. Thanks to my family for encouraging me on this path, even though sometimes it is clear it has not always been the easiest or healthiest choice. I have the most amazing friends from all over the world, and that is because of my art, and if that is all my art ever really gets me then that is good enough and I am very fortunate.

I do really think about you, my wonderful army of supporters, friends, family, and peers and I do use your strengths when I am feeling less than stellar; when I am unsure, when I am tired and low. I call on you and you always seem to come and pull me up and through.

Please know I am in your army too, and I've got your back.

Love,
Megan

Chatter on the Lines...