The artist's life is never dull; packed with ups and downs, triumphs and lulls. I just have to keep on going but sometimes I have to look back as well. It helps to put everything in perspective. We are so busy living this chaotic life that we don't remember where we've been, and when that happens we can lose our way on the path so easily.
In orange text is an update to an old post...I hope you will find this interesting and not obnoxious.
Originally posted Friday, January 18, 2008
It has been another exciting and busy week! First of all, thank you for all your comments about last week's post. It was great to hear from so many of you and of your personal experiences with rejection in the art world. I was very happy that I had my studio blog so I could channel my energy and feelings about that subject into something positive and useful. I am very fortunate that I have this forum to share my experiences in this business with you. I do feel your support and encouragement, and I appreciate it.
This past week, four of my pieces were placed in the Arkansas World Trade Center in Rogers, Arkansas. My work will be showing along with the work of Kathy Thompson and Helen Phillips for the next three months. The DDP gallery in Fayetteville managed the selection and placement of the works, and the paintings will be for sale through the gallery as well. I am excited to have my work in this facility. I will let you know when they have updated their website to include my work.
In other gallery news, I am now represented by the fabulous River Market Art Space located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas! I am very pleased to join their stable of talented artists, and look forward to participating in the 2nd Friday art nights as often as I can. I think my work will be a good fit for the gallery, and I am excited to be in the heart of Little Rock River Market area. So, if you are in Little Rock or plan to visit, look for my work there starting late January or early February. I will update you when I have a presence on the River Market Art Space's website as well. I am no longer represented by the M2 gallery in West Little Rock. I had a wonderful year with the M2 gallery and the wonderful artists represented there.
This week, I received a shocking email that River Market ArtSpace in Little Rock was closing its doors after eleven years of business. I remember being so excited about this venue for my work. It was a very popular gallery in the State of Arkansas in a wonderful bustling downtown area. My exhibition Fire and Noise found it's home in this gallery as did so many of my other paintings. I enjoyed showing and selling my work in this grand space for the year and half that I did. I am really sorry to see this gallery close. I will be heading down there soon to pick up the remainder of my work. They still have a lot of it! Little orphaned paintings now, I will be trying to find representation in Little Rock again in the near future.
Last night, I was very fortunate to be invited to speak at the Young Emerging Leader's event, Secrets Revealed: The Fine Art of Art & Wine. The event was held in the Ft. Smith Town Club and Remy Fine Art. I was there to discuss my work, process, and what all it entails to be an professional artist as well as the joys of collecting original art. I also tried to dispel some myths in the art world as well. I encouraged the group to ask questions and think for themselves when it comes to buying original art; to let their personal tastes alone and not the fads or trends, guide them in the process. I believe if they do this, they will be satisfied with their art buying experience and the art in their collection will keep giving to them in ways they haven't even imagined. The group members asked some fantastic questions, and seemed very receptive. I was very nervous about my talk, but of course once it started, I was in my element and I had the greatest time. It just solidifies to me that this is my passion, and I am so lucky to be able to do this as a career. So a big thank you to the wonderful Y.E.L. group and a massive thank you to Jeanne Parham at Remy Fine Art. My exhibit at Remy Fine Art closes today, so if you are in the Ft. Smith area and have not seen it yet, please go check it out. The gallery will keep a selection of my work for sale, and will continue to represent my work in the Ft. Smith area. It has been a wonderful exhibit and experience, with 5 of my paintings selling so far.
Lastnight, I gave another talk about my art, this time to the Artists of Northwest Arkansas club at the Northwest Arkansas Community Creative Center. I hadn't given a formal talk about my art since the talk I gave at Remy Fine Art almost a year and a half ago. This time it was a paid speaking position! I was sick again, just like I was before my talk in Ft. Smith (interesting), but I had the same great feelings about giving my talk, showing 5 of my paintings, explaining my processes and materials and answering questions. I really had so much fun, I was completely in my element even while sucking on coughdrops to calm my barking cough. I can say, I really do love public speaking. The idea of it makes me so nervous. I hate waiting to be called up to speak, but once I am up there, it combines everything I enjoy. Part acting and comedy routine merged with my enthusiasm for art and what it means to be an artist. I really need to do that more often. They too, were very receptive and it was such a pleasure to speak with them. On another note. Remy Fine Art where I gave my first talk closed its doors a long while ago as well, another victim of the recession.
Tomorrow, I will be headed back to Ft. Smith to pack up part of my exhibit and then share parts of it and trade out art with the Blue Moon Gallery in Hot Springs and the River Market Art Space in Little Rock, and at the DDP gallery in Fayetteville. In other words all the galleries that represent me in Arkansas will soon have new and exciting work in time for February. I am looking forward to trading out my work, and making everything fresh just in time for Spring. It is never too early to think of Spring!
To top this already busy week off, I have been in the studio working away. My time there has been exciting. I currently have 11 new paintings in progress right now! I think many of these new paintings will go to Gallery Fraga in Bainbridge Island, Washington. A new energy and vigor has taken hold as I am experimenting with new shape ideas, color combinations, and a bit of a new design element. As soon as I get the work photographed I will share it with my blog readers first.
I remember being so excited about this time and having my work in new galleries and creating new work for Gallery Fraga outside of Seattle in Bainbridge Island. I had so many hopes and dreams for this exhibition, According to the Vapors. I sold maybe 5 pieces from Gallery Fraga in the year or so I was represented by them, and yes they too went under in the end. Another gallery gone in this same span of time.
Strange to look back and see all these changes. What has not changed is my work ethic, I am still here thinking, writing, talking, and making art; that will be the one consistent thing in this artist's life. It is the only thing I can control, and it is the only way I can keep moving forward. There will be other galleries, there will be more artist's talks, and many new bodies of work. I may never make a "comfortable" living as an artist, but I will continue to live and work, all the while inching forward towards something...
So, that is a week in the life of this artist, thank you so much for being a part of it.
Yes, thank you for being a part of it. Now and then, in the past and in the present. Your support and readership means a lot to me. And that is why this week I am bringing back something from the past as well; the paper painting give away!
How many of you are still out there? Please leave me a comment and let me know. I don't care if you have already won a painting in the past, and if you don't want to be included in the drawing just comment anyway and say so. Please don't be shy. So leave a comment between now and next Wednesday July 22 at Midnight Central US Time and you will be entered the random drawing to win the painting pictured above. Give me your ideas for future posts, say whatever you need to say. I look forward to hearing from you. Good Luck!
Thank you for everything.
Golden Ladders to Nowhere
mixed media on paper 9x12"
© Megan Chapman
My work is still available at ddp gallery in Fayetteville, Blue Moon Gallery in Hot Springs, and Wear Art Thou in Austin Texas. And for my small works on paper visit my shop artmaven on Etsy.com
