2am on a Friday Morning

Still

16x20" Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

I painted Still at the same time I worked on Upon Waking, the large painting I shared last week. This piece was a quiet spot that I could visit when the large painting was giving me trouble. This painting seemed to flow and come together quickly and without strife. I enjoy the fresh subtle colors radiating out and away from the lines and against the milky white. I am very pleased this painting has found a wonderful home in England, and will be headed there soon.

This week, I had a harder time focusing on painting and got caught up with administrative work at the Fayetteville Underground. However I did manage start another large 36x48" canvas, and I believe this one will be horizontal in orientation. We will see how it all works out. Next week will mostly be about preparing the galleries for the next First Thursday at the Fayetteville Underground. I am looking forward to having Thomas Petillo's photographs in the Hive for the month September. Not only will he have his work in the Hive but he will be in town for the reception!

Thomas Petillo

Hive Gallery

Thomas Petillo : North, West, East, South
September 1st through October 2nd 2010
Opening Reception September 2nd 5-8pm

Thomas Petillo is perhaps best known for his strikingly intimate portraits of great musicians (Robert Plant, Ben Folds, John Prine, Kid Rock and Porter Wagoner, to name only a few).Thomas has spent fifteen years honing the skills necessary to produce these beautiful images for record labels, magazines, and ad agencies. These portraits have come to define his style. But a very different Petillo has emerged in the last few years as the result of a series of commissions by Hammock, the ambient duo, who asked him to create images for their recordings. No matter his subject, Petillo's images are characterized by a delicate balance of stark realism and magical wonder, as if he stands with one foot in the spirit and the other in the flesh. This rare talent has given his work a singular imprint and has earned for him a distinguished place among contemporary photographers.

I hope all the locals will come out in droves and get to know Thomas' beautiful work and meet the artist himself. We have a wonderful September in store for you at the Underground, to read more about all the exhibitions that will be featured visit the Fayetteville Underground Blog.

And before all that kicks off, on this Saturday, August 28th at 11:00 am at the Underground. I will be giving an informal art talk on the exhibition Ghosts in the landscape #2, currently on display in the Hive by Christian Demare. This will be the final day of the exhibition, and I hope folks will come down and explore further Christian's dark, mysterious photographic worlds.

Those are the simple nuts and bolts of this artist's life for this week. There was more to it than all that, and I would like to write more about my process or my personal feelings about my art or the art world in general but the simple reportage style seems to work currently.

If you have bought my art either recently or long ago, if you have talked to me about my work, or taught me, if you have shared music with me that has inspired my art, or just supported me emotionally while I work, I just want to say thank you. I can't work alone in a vacuum, and the support I receive near and far is directly proportional to the work I put out. So, if you think I am a prolific artist, it is only because I have prolific supporters, so from the bottom of my heart I thank you all.

And as always, keep fighting. The world needs your art.

In the studio with: Still, Upon Waking,
Somehow we find ourselves on the same continent, and Sometimes

the latest...

Upon Waking
48x36" $1,800
© 2010 Megan Chapman

click on the image twice to enlarge

And for those interested, this is the song that was on repeat on my headphones as the painting came together in the end. I am grateful for the donation of this large canvas, so that I could remember what it feels like to have room to breathe and explore. Thank you.

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

This is June.

Selections from the new white series
back vault gallery June 2010
Fayetteville Underground

Another month, gone already? Where is the time going? It passes quickly while I have been busy working in my studio at the underground. I have a feeling the next few summer months are going to be even more hectic. I am pleased I have been consistently painting, and I hope for more of the same. I must say I am thrilled with the response from people in person and online about the new white series and The Manual for Living. I am inspired and happy to be in such a wonderful local and global arts community.

I wanted to add the most recent members of the new white series to the group, so I can see them all in one place. This helps me. Also, hopefully it helps you too. If you are interested in any of these paintings, please contact me to learn more about purchasing them through the Fayetteville Underground.

And as always thanks for looking in and for your support.

We will sink to the bottom of the ocean together
30x24" $725
©2010 Megan Chapman

A Certain Trajectory
24x30" $725
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Everything feels prehistoric (when we crash down to earth)
30x24" $725
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Somehow we find ourselves on the same continent
Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Falling into sound
40x30" $1,200
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Something Quiet
20x16" $375
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Right Words, Wrong Frequency
Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

As you said
Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Where Stranger's Dreams Cling
Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Sometimes
30x40" $1,200
© 2010 Megan Chapman

The Absence of Fear
Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

Dispensing old memory
16x20" $375
© 2010 Megan Chapman

I dream of tornadoes...
20x10" $425
© 2010 Megan Chapman

The notes we will never sing
Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

A pocket full of live wires
Sold
© 2010 Megan Chapman

a certain trajectory

We will sink to the bottom of the ocean together
© 2010 Megan Chapman

I posted a version of this painting two weeks ago, and I have been working on it ever since. I think I have got it to where it is no longer a work in progress and is complete. A simplification. I also have made good progress on another new painting in this series, which I plan to show you next week.

This week, I had intended to work on my Etsy works for my all too empty shop Artmaven. I have the paper taped off, gessoed and ready, some even already coated with my more typical colors of red, aqua and gold, but each time I sat down to work on them, a new white series painting called out to be realized. I love working in color but right now I just need this coolness, I need this contrast, this watery world of charcoal, line, splatter and drip. This is the only thing that wants to be born currently and so the white series continues...

To let the ocean in...

Everything feels prehistoric (when we crash down to earth)

The painting above was the third one in progress and the one I felt had the longest way to go from last week. It's orientation has changed among other things. The title came from some words that popped into my head after taking a photograph earlier in the week.

a certain trajectory

Above, you will find my latest painting in the white series. And for now, that is all I have for you. It is after 1 in the morning as I write this, and I spent 10 hours in the studio today, painting. So as you can imagine, I am beat. There is one more piece in progress from last week, that I am not quite ready to show you. I hope you enjoy these two newest additions. Next week I plan to turn my attention to restocking my etsy shop with new original small works on paper.

Until then, keep fighting...

More works in progress: A continuation

Somehow we find ourselves on the same continent
©2010 Megan Chapman

This week has had its ups and downs in the studio. I was so gung ho to paint again on Monday after the thrill of last Thursday's validation and sales. I could feel the desire to work in my bones but somehow I couldn't get it to translate to the canvas as easily, but I showed up and worked. I fretted, I wrote and I listened to music and I waited. I worked on three paintings this week. When I got stuck with one I would move to the next or I would write some more and wonder where my ability to paint had gone. It felt a bit like procrastinating when writing a term paper. You know the material and you have written good papers before, but somehow you just aren't sure until the last minute that the paper is going to be written or come together, when finally you start writing and out of the anxiety of the deadline the paper seems to magically emerge.

That is what happened for me this week. Monday and Tuesday I was unsure of my abilities, worried about too much repetition and curious if the inspiration would come. By Wednesday things started falling into place and by yesterday the works in progress started showing me the way, and the words that I need to spur me along popped into my head. Listening to a new collection of songs, with a couple of selections on repeat throughout the day helped to clear the chatter and allowed me to go into the paintings and focus. So, today I would like to share my progress. The first painting posted above, Somehow we find ourselves on the same continent is finished. This next painting posted below, We will sink to the bottom of the ocean together, is very close and I will continue to work on it today.

We will sink to the bottom of the ocean together
work in progress © 2010 Megan Chapman

The third painting below, has a long way to go, but I have a road map in my mind to follow. There will be some horizontal elements added, some more white and whatever it tells me it needs. The words haven't come to me for this one, and once they do, it will be that much easier to follow the path. I don't often show my works in progress, unless I feel they are pretty close to being done. This third one, will probably look very much different the next time you see it, so don't get attached.

work in progress

This has been my week in the studio. Today, I will get back in there and work on these paintings to completion. There is nothing better than working and music music music! I hope things are going well in your studios too. Thanks for stopping by and as always for your encouragement and support.

Onwards...

***********************************

My friend Thomas Petillo, a brilliant photographer (who will be showing at the Fayetteville Underground in the Fall) and my musician friends, Hammock have been really devastated by the recent Nashville flood. Their new combined book/CD set just went on sale and it would really help these talented artists out in a very concrete way if you bought a copy. Go here to order yours today! Thank you.

This is May.

Selections from the Vault © 2010 Megan Chapman

These are the first of the new white series to be shown in the Vault Gallery for the month of May at the Fayetteville Underground. They had their debut last night, and I am happy to report the two pieces on the left, Right Words, Wrong Frequency and Where Strangers Dreams Cling have SOLD! This was such a thrill for me, validation of this direction and so many other things. I had a smile on my face all night. Another piece, To Collect Sounds, from my Fire and Noise series sold from my studio as well. It was a wonderful night, with record crowds and very inspiring all around. I am off to another opening reception tonight at the Sugar Gallery to see Crafting Place, this will be the first time my photography will be shown in a gallery, outside the works I did for the secret blocks that involved the resin. So May is starting off with a bang. I look forward to resting and recharging soon, so that I can get back to work on the white series and see where it takes me next.

In other news, the white series was also recently featured in two other art blogs, you may be interested in visiting. It is always an honor to have my work featured, Thanks again Jennifer and Debs!

I hope your May is wild.



and as always keep fighting...

***********************************
My friend Thomas Petillo, a brilliant photographer (who will be showing at the Fayetteville Underground in the Fall) and my musician friends, Hammock have been really devastated by the recent Nashville flood. Their new combined book/CD set just went on sale and it would really help these talented artists out in a very concrete way if you bought a copy. Go here to order yours today! Thank you.

Eleven Paintings: The New White Series

Falling into sound

Something Quiet

Right Words, Wrong Frequency
sold

As you said

Where Stranger's Dreams Cling
sold

Sometimes

The Absence of Fear
sold

Dispensing old memory

I dream of tornadoes...

The notes we will never sing

A pocket full of live wires

Here is the white series at this point in time (there will be more). I posted the newest additions first. These are posted in roughly the order they were painted, working backwards in time. These are just studio snap shots, the work will be documented properly at a later date. I am pleased with how these are turning out. It has been a very expansive feeling to move away from my usual colors, and see where this series takes me. I am enjoying looking back to my past work to tease out this seemingly new direction. I probably could write a lot about what these are all about and how I've made them, but I would like you to be with them mostly. Thanks for stopping in.

For those interested, the top painting, Falling into Sound, was created while listening to the song Celestica by the Crystal Castles at full blast and on repeat.

And yes, I was dancing...

all paintings © 2010 Megan Chapman

Resolution

Right Words, Wrong Frequency ©2010 Megan Chapman

I thought this painting had come to some resolution by last Wednesday, but I was wrong. It was too plain, too spacious, too something that I couldn't put my finger on. So, on Monday I got back into it, and by Wednesday it declared itself done. Yesterday, I varnished it. I am pleased and relieved. It was a strange piece, it is not like me to focus on one work and as intensely as I did for a month and a half, but I am glad I did. I wish my photograph was better, but for now this gives you a pretty good idea of the piece. I think I also completed another small piece that I had started on Monday, but I am not sure and I don't want to steal any thunder from my month long monster just yet. So far there are 10 pieces (1-2 are still in progress) in the new white series. I was planning on holding them back and compiling them until I have a solo show in November, but that seems so far away. People are getting excited about them now, and I would like to share them as well. I may put a few in the back vault gallery at the Underground next month.

So here is a preview of all of the currently finished works together. There will be more works in this series to come. Music in the slide show by Sigur Rós the track is called Takk...

Untitled from Megan Chapman on Vimeo.

Until next week.

And the birds sing sweetly

This is what I wanted to show you last week:

Sometimes © 2010 Megan Chapman

This painting was finished all along. I looked at it in the natural light, I thought about it and studied it for days and whatever I thought I needed to do to it faded away. I am glad I left well enough alone.

While I was waiting for the above piece, I started a new one.

Where Stranger's Dreams Cling © 2010 Megan Chapman

There are currently seven paintings in the new white series. Last night was First Thursday art night at the Fayetteville Underground; the crowds were huge, it was wonderful. My studio was open, and I received great feedback on the new series- it was wonderful to give people a taste of what I have been so excited about. I had moved all my colored paintings out of the studio, so that patrons could only view the new white series and The Manual for Living (a ten page guide). Many people talked about the Manual. My newest work could not have been received much better. I am so pleased and I can not wait to get back into the heart of a painting.

the beginning pieces from the new white series in my studio

Also in my studio, I debuted Delay before Abandon: A Transatlantic Collaboration a new project between myself and English artist Steven Heaton. Click on the link above to learn more about the project. We are both very excited about being able to work together. This project seemed to catch patrons imaginations, all of them thought it was an interesting idea, they wondered how we met, how it felt to cover over each other's work, how thick the paper would become as it is encrusted with paint, would the project last 6 months, 6 years, or twenty? So my studio feels a buzz with new activity, inspiration, and some sort of renewed power.

And last but not least, my work debuted in the Vault Gallery at the Underground last night. I love showing my work in the old vault of the bank that the Underground is housed in. It just fits with the space and came alive under the gallery lights.

Selected works by Megan Chapman: Vault Gallery

So that has been my week! Tomorrow is my birthday, and I don't know what the next year holds for me, but if I can remember the power and passion I have felt in the last month even half the time, I think this year could be quite special. Thanks for sharing this journey with me.

Hurry up and Wait

Sometimes ©2010 Megan Chapman

I have something I would really like to show you all, but I can not. I have been working on a large 30x40" horizontal canvas painting from the new white series. This is how I spent the week in the studio. I've been enjoying holding myself accountable lately by thinking I will post my weekly results here. However, I have to hold back at this time. This painting practically slayed me. It kept being this ugly behemoth and would not submit to my prodding to become something until finally, under the gun of time, it became and I stopped.

I really like what is happening in the painting, but at the same time I see things that could be improved upon. If I venture forward and make improvements, I could kill the painting and the very elements that might be making it work. Usually in my paintings, I go until everything clicks and feels complete. In my mind my paintings are usually tightly balanced and make "sense." In this white series, I am forcing myself to stop right before they ever get to that point- this makes me uncomfortable but also very excited.

Right now I am feeling a sense of urgency about painting, which is really thrilling. So, the large painting, that I love but am still a bit unsure of, is in a holding pattern, I will not touch it for the next few days. I have to be careful. I will start something new. I will harness this restless energy and perhaps explore some of the challenges I am currently facing.

These are all lessons from the studio this week and I am listening.

Thank you for all the positive feedback I have received in regards to the Manual for Living and the white series, it has been helpful, inspiring, and a much needed push to keep going.

Next week, more paintings for you to sample and enjoy.

Completion and works in progress

A manual for living
a ten page guide

prologue

The last time we almost touched

The opportunist

The goal was always heartbreak

She smiled while she died inside

Nothing left to wait for, Nothing left to lose

Every time she vanished her heart was smaller upon return

We grew homes inside each others bones

There are storms in her heart

epilogue

This is the manual for living, complete with the last two pages, "We grew homes inside each others bones" and "Storms in her heart." I am still struggling to get the exact color in the photographs, they are a cross between the lush darkness of last week's images and the subtle colors and focus of this week's images. These were painted with white gesso, charcoal dust suspended in walnut oil, and colored and graphite pencils. These are on 140lb. Arches Watercolor paper and are each 12x9" with approximately a one inch border on all sides.

Besides completing the manual this week, I also worked on two other canvas paintings that had been in progress for a while. These are part of the new white series I shared a couple of weeks ago. These may or may not be done, the paintings are done, but they may or may not have words, and they will be given a slightly glossy clear coat in the end.


I hope you enjoy the new works, again I must say it feels great to be finding my rhythm, and exploring the past while I trudge on into the future. Thanks for stopping by and for your support and encouragement.

*the song I listened to on repeat while I worked on the two new white series canvas paintings is here.