Washing brushes, talking about paintings

Time has been a little strange this past week, to say the least.

I made it to the studio on Tuesday as planned and took a quick look at the large canvas I worked on the previous Thursday. I put it aside for now and decided to go through my paints (I had 10 tubes of the same colour on the go many times over and cluttering up my palette table). I also went through all my brushes and found a selection of them that needed some tender loving care after some neglect. 

I sort of hit the ground running when I returned to the studio and just threw myself into using the space and creating new pieces. A forceful re-entry but probably not a sustainable one. Besides dealing with the paints and brushes, I did start another small square canvas just laying in some washes. Nothing serious. I skipped the studio on Thursday due to some other things I needed to attend to more. This is the 4th consecutive week of working in my studio space since before the pandemic. While I am creating new patterns and schedules I want to be careful to not return to being the taskmaster I once was in creating work to prove to you that I do indeed "work." This is leftover programming that no longer serves me but is deeply worn into my brain. I have done a bit more walking in the past week as well - Autumn always seems to be the walking season as I prepare myself for the darker and shorter days. 

For my Tuesday Studio Video Visit this week, I decided I wanted to try something a bit different and talk to you about one of my favourite paintings from childhood. Paolo Uccello's "St. George and the dragon."  Of course, I only meant to talk for 5 minutes but it ended up being 15 as I couldn't contain my excitement. If I record more of these videos I will keep them shorter. If you missed it, here it is again. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven't already. Thanks! 

This week I also sent out an email to my subscriber's list as sometimes social media isn't the best way to get ahold of everyone as it becomes more of a pay-to-play scenario. If you are not on my mailing list please sign up. I never spam and usually only send out newsletters quarterly or when a special event is happening that you might want to know about. As always you are in control and can unsubscribe at any time. Click HERE to sign up if you haven't already. Thank you. 

There are several ways you can support my work: 

Leave me a one-off tip! Or support me monthly!

Buy prints 

Buy T-shirts and Totes

Commission me

Buy my art through Solo Gallery

Buy my art online or through my studio - Message me about pieces on my website and across social media - I am working to find the best point of sale platform online just now.

Hire me as your mentor: Let's get your art on track! 

And of course, please share my blogs, videos, paintings and social media posts. Leave a comment - it all helps and I appreciate you for putting in a good word for me and my work. 

Thanks to everyone who remains on this path with me, I couldn't do it without you and I wouldn't want to. I hope you are well, happy, and inspired. Until next week, keep fighting! 

A big thank you to my regular monthly Ko-fi Supporters! 

Jennifer, Tamsin, Jennifer, and Pat - you really make a difference!! 

Wild and complicated

This week in the studio was a challenge, however, I did stick to my schedule and in fact, I put in just a little extra time in the studio on Wednesday as well. So I have managed to go to my studio at least twice a week for the past three. I am just trying to get back into the habits of showing up, being in the space, and sharing the space with my studio mate who has been there since May. I wasn't expecting any hard or serious work but then a flood of portraits came forward. I got excited, and suddenly I was expecting things of myself, my work and my time in the studio. That is a pressure that I just don't need and especially when I am trying to build habits with compassion for myself and the process. I don't want to be a machine anymore or approach this time with harsh rules, but unfortunately, it is so easy to let that part of my brain take over.

Anyway- this is a long way of saying - there were really no "good" portraits this week - maybe one or two - but definitely not six. You can see and hear my frustration during the Tuesday Studio Video Visit this week.

 

One from this week that might work

A lovely patron gifted me with a collection of canvases this week, and so with feeling the frustration of the faces not materialising, I decided to get out one of the largest canvases, a linen 80x100cm and have a go at painting a good old abstract painting.

A fevered energy took over and I bashed out a muted abstract in greys, blacks, and ochres. I messaged a dear painter friend, "is this a painting?" I decided it was (for now) and it certainly captured the atmosphere of the day.

Soon after I stopped painting, I heard the Queen was gravely ill. I packed up my stuff as I strangely felt the urge to get myself home.

I listened to the news during the rainy bus ride and turned on the BBC once through the door. I respectfully sat up on the sofa when they confirmed the news of her death. What a long and full life.

In my UK citizenship ceremony two years ago this month, I made an affirmation - a solemn, and sincere oath to be faithful and allegiant to her Majesty, her Heirs and Successors. Every immigrant who becomes a citizen in this country has gone through this ritual. And all of those naturally born in this country are born subjects. 

Life is filled with such wild and complicated moments.

A vintage postcard I was given while on my citizenship path.
Stapled to the back of the studio closet door.

Faces and Free Post! Happiness!

Hi ya! 

If you joined me last week to read about the developments, then thank you! Sadly, no one left a comment, so no one wins the print. Sorry, you all missed out on that! 

lolzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz/cries into the void... 

No, not really because I am having too good of a week to worry about that. I have analytics that tells me my readers are lurkers and that is perfectly alright with me. Hello! 

This week I want to show you my new friends that showed up in my studio. 

I am so bloody happy and relieved to be working again. These portraits are a joy. I have been told to create at least 20 more, so that is what I aim to do! 

In other news, it's FREE POST weekend for UK orders from my shop, Gutless Apparel! You don't need a code or anything to save a bit of cash! This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - FREE SHIPPING in the UK! YAY! Click the link to shop and save! https://gutlessapparel.teemill.com/

https://gutlessapparel.teemill.com/

https://gutlessapparel.teemill.com/

And that's where I am going to leave it this week. I am thankful for everyone who supports me. Have a good weekend. Take care. - Megan

This link will take you to all my other sites: https://linktr.ee/meganchapmanpaintings

*****

PS. This is for folks down in the Scottish Borders or planning to visit! THIS WEEKEND: Make plans to attend Innerleithen's Open Studio event! Keep your eyes peeled for my friend and fellow artist, Muriel Prince's gorgeous abstract work at her open studio as well as in the exhibition, The Dam, at St. Ronan's Wells. And of course, stop by Solo Gallery - they will be open on Sunday!

If you enjoy what I create and share consider leaving me a wee tip of £3. Thanks!

 

Exciting New Developments!

Oh, I have so much to say - how can I say it all? I feel like a video would be easier but it's good practice to keep writing, even though no one reads blogs anymore... (Hello, anyone there? comment below for an old-fashioned giveaway...)

Let's start with PRINTS!

I have just added 15 new prints to my shop and added many of my classic pieces back into the mix as well. Currently, my Ko-fi shop will be my print shop. So, if you are looking for a gift or a bit of home or office decor, make my shop your first stop. 

I offer a range of signed limited and open edition prints in a range of sizes. There are 37 different prints to choose from ranging in price from £20-55. These archival giclee prints are all printed locally in a not-for-profit community interest company in Leith. I love that I can have my work reproduced affordably in the community in alignment with my values.

Here's a video walk-through of my Ko-fi Shop and all of my print offerings! https://ko-fi.com/meganchapman/shop

Next up: New T-Shirts and Totes!

This was a request a while back and I am finally getting around to it! You can now have your art and wear it too! These bold designs were just asking to be put on t-shirts and totes. As you can see in the last video they are also available as prints too. I am delighted to have these images as part of Gutless Apparel on teemill. I love that these are sustainable, organic, and made in the UK with worldwide shipping. Show us how you really feel... enjoy this video walk-through! Thanks so much for supporting an independent business. https://gutlessapparel.teemill.com/

But wait there's more! I went to the studio twice this week and worked on a series of accidental portraits. These are my first new works in a year! This is cause for celebration... Here are some quick and dirty studio snapshots. 

So, it's been quite a week. Now, it's time to figure out what comes next... 

Wherever you are, I hope you are well. Thanks so much for your support and interest in my work. What a road we are walking eh? Take care. - M

Oh and if you are still with me - leave me a comment on this blog post and be entered to win a wee abstract (and slightly wonky artist's proof) print as pictured below! The randomly selected winner will be announced next week on the blog and social media! 

Last weekend's Abstractionistas exhibition

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Abstractionistas exhibition at the Granton Hub. Here are a few snaps of our art in the space. We each had a few sales and it was lovely to have an exhibition in the community where I live. 

My work and Susan Wilson's. 

Susan Wilson

My work in the corner browser rack and Susan's on the wall

A close-up shot of my work on the wall

I hung 6 works from my 15-piece series "This is how we tell the story"

Judith Shaylor

Madelvic House, Granton Hub

Paper by the Abstractionistas our 5th featured exhibition as a collective

geraniums outside the large windows of the exhibition space

The light was lovely in the space

We provided some Scottish favourites during our reception

Here's a wee video tour of the exhibition: Paper - Abstractionistas

That's all I have for you this week. Next week, there will be some new developments... Stay tuned and thank you so much for your support. Until next week, keep fighting! 

Abstractionistas Exhibition This Weekend!

You are invited to our new exhibition!

"Paper" is the latest exhibition by the Scottish women's art collective, the Abstractionistas, featuring artists, Megan Chapman, Judith Shaylor Art, and Susan Elizabeth Wilson. The group is delighted to bring their works on paper to the Granton Hub during the Edinburgh festival.

The three-day pop-up show is open to the public from 11-4 pm on the 12th, 13th and 14th of August at the Granton Hub, Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh, EH5 1HS. The artists will have a public reception on Saturday the 13th from 2-4 pm. Join us!

Abstractionistas: Paper
August 12-14th 11-4 pm
Reception Saturday, Aug. 13 from 2-4 pm
Granton Hub, Granton Park Avenue
Edinburgh, EH5 1HS

Playlists, commissions, exhibitions and more.

Hello August! Already!?

Hiya dear readers. 

If you haven't noticed, I fell a bit behind on my blog posts due to being unwell in July but now I am all caught up, so please go back and check out these entries if you missed them. Thanks for your patience. 

Friday, July 29, 2022: Upcoming Abstractionistas Exhibition: Paper
Click to read

Friday, July 22, 2022: Permission granted

Click to read

Friday, July 15, 2022: Could I tell you anything more?
Click to read

In other news, Did you know that each month I create a roughly themed 13-song playlist over on YouTube? I do! Get access for just £3 and become an art patron at the same time. Easy! 

Go HERE.

In other, other news. Request your own "accidental portrait" commission! These bespoke portrait pieces are 51x41cm/16x20” and will be painted and drawn on 250gsm linen textured painting paper. I spray varnish the pieces and roll them in a tube to post once complete. 

These abstracted portrait pieces seek to capture the essence, energy, or story of the person. I would love to work with you to create the perfect "accidental portrait" of you or a loved one. 

You can request those HERE. 

detail

detail

And of course, I must mention the next Abstractionistas exhibition coming up this month and very soon! Make plans to attend!

"Paper" is an exhibition by the Scottish women's art collective, the Abstractionistas, featuring work by artists, Megan Chapman, Judith Shaylor, and Susan Elizabeth Wilson. The Pop-Up show is open to the public from 11-4 pm on the 12th, 13th and 14th of August at the Granton hub, Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh, EH5 1HS. The artists will have a public reception on Saturday the 13th from 2-4 pm. Join us! The group is delighted to bring their works on paper to the Granton Hub during the Edinburgh festival.

https://allmylinks.com/abstractionistas

And that is all the news fit to print. Take a break, do something nice for yourself or someone else. Take care until next week.