The world opened up and said yes

As you said © Megan Chapman 2010

This week was interesting to say the least. April has never been a good month for me historically, but I decided that this April would be different and so far it has not disappointed. This April, I committed to taking better care of myself (again) and to work a little harder than usual. I guess in self help lingo, you could say I set an intention for the month, and by doing this, I seemed to have been rewarded almost immediately. The world opened up and said yes, or perhaps I went to the crossroads and made a deal with the devil. If you have been reading my blipfoto journal you know what happened to me this past Saturday afternoon, but if not I think it bears repeating and celebrating. I sold NINE of my paintings to a first time collector! This was the most wonderful thing not only for me, but I think, also for the collector. I could see how excited she was, and how her confidence built with each choice she made. I loved working with her closely while she amassed her collection. It was one of those days many artists dream of, just a magical experience all around. I just couldn't believe it. I am humbled, grateful, and thrilled to no end. It was also wonderful to share my happiness with my friends on blip, facebook, and my studio mates. Now I am sharing it with you. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful friends near and far who are genuinely happy for me. Thank you.

In other news, yesterday afternoon I happily received an email notification that three of my photographs had been accepted into a juried exhibition entitled Crafting Place: Interpretations of Natural and Constructed Environments from the Kitchen to the Forest. The Juror was Kenneth Trapp former curator-in charge of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The exhibition is to be held May 6th through June 5th in Bentonville, Arkansas at the Sugar gallery. I am excited to share three of my photographs from my Picher, Oklahoma series. I am also proud of myself for entering photographs in the exhibition, as I really consider myself a painter and not a photographer. I guess I am an artist after all.

As far as the studio goes, I popped in and out all week, and I looked at my paintings, but nothing really happened. Currently, I have one on the go on the easel that if I wasn't still so excited about my Saturday sales, I could probably focus on and wrap up fairly quickly. The piece posted above is the latest in the white series, it is quiet and serene, perhaps a space to breathe. At first I wasn't sure if it was done, but now I think it is.

If I had to sum up this week it was full of good fortune, healthy eating and drinking, walking, talking, napping and smiling, with a dash of music music music and as always art.

Until next week, keep fighting.

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.

This is April

while you sleep © 2010 Megan Chapman

Well, the painting that had been driving me mad all month, finally came to some sort of resolution by Wednesday evening. No, you still can't see it. I was just too scattered this month to really paint the way I would like, and it really got to me, but I did other things of value. I have to remind myself of this. I did other artistic things. I interacted in the world as an artist (do I have any other choice). This month there was too much talking and too many voices for me to focus but that is okay. I produced a ton of work the month prior, because I was so inspired and that type of production is not sustainable no matter how much I would like it to be. Anyway, does it sound like I am trying to convince myself of something...

In other news, last night the Fayetteville Underground, (where my studio is) celebrated their one year anniversary with some amazing exhibitions and a huge turn out. I am so proud to be affiliated with this organization. The shows just keep getting better and better and it is so inspiring to be connected to so many wonderful artists. I feel a real sense of community with my peers, and that is a great feeling. We all work extremely hard to make the Underground what it is. The visiting artists are no different, they always make us look good. It is amazing to think of all we have accomplished over the past year. I just have to say again how inspired I am by the work I get to see on a regular basis. To learn more about the Underground and the exhibitions we have currently click here.

Here is a photograph of my 4 paintings currently showing in the back vault gallery at the underground this month.



I think there are other things I would like to say and report, but I can't find the words right now. Thank you for reading this if you have and supporting me as an artist. I like knowing you are there.

Until next week, you know what to do.

With my open eyes and heart

Friday again, and sadly no new painting to share this week either, but I did paint and I did look at clouds.

I spent the whole day in my studio painting the same painting over again and again on Monday. Here is a detail of that which no longer exists.


I went to a toxic waste site/poisoned town on Tuesday.

dream house, Picher Oklahoma © 2010 Megan Chapman

I gave a lecture/tour on Thursday.

I meditated in the woods today.
(and I remembered how much I love the sound of running water)

Tilly Willy Bridge © 2010 Megan Chapman

I have some strange ideas about April, May and June...
Now, here is a lovely video. Until next week, keep fighting.

A new manifesto

A reminder © 2010 Megan Chapman

This week in the studio consisted of starting one new painting ( it has a long way to go, or I would show you) and completing the third installment of my collaborative effort with English artist Steven Heaton. I also managed to mail out some art as well, which for some strange reason is always the hardest part.

I wish I could say I was on fire in the studio, but this week consisted of a lot of business emails, tax preparation, inventory, promotions, meetings, and mixers with potential clients. It was productive, but not in the creative way that an artist dreams of. However, necessary just the same.

I've come to some conclusions this week. I need to change some things in my life so that I can pursue my art while maintaining my health and peace of mind. I don't really want or need to get into them here, but lets just say things are out of balance. Making art can be just like any other career, and you can push yourself too hard at times and lose sight of the other elements of your life. I am struggling with this currently, and need to stop just escaping into my art world. I have always had issues with balance, but it is really catching up with me. To remedy this, I hope to spend some time out of doors in the sun (if the weather cooperates) out of my studio, away from my cell phone and over long lists, and away from the computer too. It is time to refocus my energy.

As a dear friend put it, I need to switch off and become a cloud watcher for awhile. So that is what I plan to do.

Music for watching clouds:



see you next week, with either stories of clouds or more art...

burned me down to the wires

As many readers of this blog know, the music I listen to is the greatest inspiration for my paintings, photographs, and the words and titles that I put to my art.

While I was happily celebrating my birthday on March 6th, one of my favorite inspirations decided he had had enough of this life.

Mark Linkous shot himself in the heart.

The next morning when I found out the news, I was heart broken.

He was a musician I had never met, nor had I the chance to see him play live. He was not a friend, but he was a companion in the studio just the same. He will be deeply missed and his music will always be treasured and continue to inspire.

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.