Autumn Special Benefit Sale: Bikes for Refugees Scotland

SPECIAL SALE

As many of you know Bikes for Refugees - Scotland SCIO is one of my favourite charities and I have raised funds for them in the past through the sale of my art. Unfortunately, they have been robbed and need our help! I have organised this special wee sale to hopefully raise some funds. It's a great opportunity to buy some of my art and support them at the same time.

Bikes for Refugees is a brilliant charity that provides free donated and serviced bikes and all the gear needed for New Scots refugees. I am so disheartened that they have been robbed after all the good work they continue to do for our communities. I have already made a small personal donation and encourage you to do the same but if you want my art and to help them - then this sale is for you!

These original paintings and drawings have the added benefit of being mounted and ready to pop into a frame or already framed and ready to hang on the wall. They are all signed and titled on the back. These pieces are all value-priced for this great cause and this includes free shipping in the UK.

40% of the sale of each piece will be donated to Bikes for Refugees to help them recover from this devastating robbery. Bank transfers and PayPal are accepted. Payment plans are available for more expensive pieces if desired. Just say the word! Click the purchase or message button next to the piece to start the conversation. Here is the direct link for the sale. Feel free to share: https://www.artworkarchive.com/rooms/megan-chapman/a6dccc

Also if you have had your eye on another one of my paintings not included on this sale page, please reach out and let me know and perhaps we can make arrangements to include it. 

Thank you - Megan

Donate to Bikes for Refugees Directly: https://www.bikesforrefugees.scot/sponsors-donors

These are all included in the SALE

My favourite kind of beauty

I went for a walk yesterday and everywhere I looked was beautiful. Aged, decaying, and run down - my favourite kind of beauty. The light was from the past and the golden leaves, the old doors, cobbles, and wynds were singing to me. The pavements held me, and the sound of the trees in the wind cushioned my steps. 

We are holding you. We are here for you. We are with you now. 

I looked up to the sky, I looked down at my feet, step after step. I looked at the light and breathed - looked into the wind and felt, looked up again into the trees and tears met my eyes.

I hear the small birds in the morning now, not the seagulls. The swans and signets have done themselves proud, their family intact and almost grown as they glide along the water in the sun. 

I congratulate them. 

I walk on, and the leaves glisten in the water. I snap a picture. 

We are holding you. We are here for you. We are with you now.

Make sure that you are sure

Well, hell. 

I am tired. 

But I can feel the edge of inspiration in the sun and the wind. 

I came across some art I created a while back when I was cleaning up my computer files. It reminded me of something that I am probably missing. 

I am also listening to a song that pulled me towards something too. 

Something = painting and that particular restless energy tempting me to come back after too long away. 

And then of course I took myself out to see Stop Making Sense on Saturday which was invigorating, to say the least. (And a whole lot of something)

I also took myself out to a demonstration against funding cuts to the arts that ended with a coffee in a secret garden with a colleague/new friend.

Then I joined a renters union. So this week has been a bit intense. 

Culture. Social action. New friends. Important conversations. Work.

To balance all this out, I made "the good" vegetable soup, enjoyed a couple of breakfasts that included spinach and mushrooms and walked in different neighbourhoods. I also bought a Vogue magazine. A magazine! What a luxury in the days of screens - especially one that is filled with wearable art and such weirdness. 

The sun is shining. Soon, I will head to the studio for the weekly meeting of the studio mates there. We will see what ideas we can hatch. 

Take care until next week and keep fighting. The world needs you and the gifts you bring.

Capture the light

Morning Sun 1952 - painting Edward Hopper

I am stuck here wordless. 

I was videoless this week as well. 

After last week's activity comes this week's pause, this week's work, and this week's riding of the wave.

But there is a beam of sunshine on my hands and there is music in the air. I had a nice lunch and good snacks. I am wearing a new (to me) crisp white oversized button-up shirt from a charity shop. I can see clouds moving quickly from my window. I have packages coming my way and a stray cat who visits me. 

It's not bad or good - it's just life. 

When we look at a painting by Hopper we don't feel too bad about things. We don't judge the space in the room or the lone woman. We like the feeling. We celebrate it. Perhaps we can celebrate those days in real life too. Or just soak up the space, the light, the feeling. Celebrate is too strong. We can just be in the space without judgment and without wanting to move on too fast. 

Autumn is good for this, the need for hibernation is starting to filter in around the edges. It's okay to put on your shoes and go for a walk or just sit still and capture the light. 

Until next week, keep fighting and then take a nap. And if you live in Scotland sign this petition.

Thank you.  

Autumn is for dancing

A Closer Look: September 2023

Well hello, my beautiful readers,

It's Friday and I have had two cups of coffee and the sky is featureless and grey. I am listening to a fantastic old song on repeat (but of course). Later, I will walk over to the studio and hang out with my fellow artists in our exhibition, A Closer Look. You will know from previous blogs and social media posts that our show is ending on Saturday the 23rd at 5 p.m. So if you are a local reading this and even thinking about how you might like to see it in person - just get up and go (my blog can wait).

Oh, Autumn, I am mostly enjoying your rain, wind, grey, your dappled light through leaves still green but also turning yellow and falling. I am still jazzed about your autumn energy and of course the return to my beloved real coffee. It just tastes better in the fall.

I am not painting right now but I am working, learning, and dancing. Loads of dancing to the fantastic old songs. 

Autumn is for returning to our homes within.

I dreamt of a painting last night, a new painting that I might paint. A whole idea for a series in a dream. I love that when it happens - it is a rare gift.

So on that note, I will share one more promo video of the exhibition and get ready to go. Thank you for being here and for your support. Keep fighting.

A Closer Look Continues

A selection of my small framed works on canvas as part of A Closer Look

The exhibition was installed on Tuesday and is always the case - the artwork of the resident and affiliated artists of the drill hall clicked into place like a puzzle. With over 16 participating artists, there is a great selection of work on display. We had a lovely wine reception on Wednesday night and we enjoyed some tunes and some banter on the rainy evening. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us.

Besides the work on the walls and in the jewellery case, we also have a selection of prints, cards, and even some small originals available for purchase towards the back of the exhibition at our sales table. So do make sure to have a rummage through the racks so you don't miss some bargains.

I love the strength and variety of my peers' work on show together. It's been so great for us to get to know each other better over these last two exhibitions. It feels more like a proper community of artists currently and that is a great feeling.

The video above is a quick guided tour and the video below is a super quick jazzy taster. Remember though if you are local and able, nothing is better than seeing the show with your own eyes. 

A Closer Look
Wednesday 13th - Saturday 23rd September (Not Sunday) 

The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith EH6 8RG

Participating artists include: (Follow on Instagram)
@megan.chapman.artist
@aoife_in_leith
@catherinegiselleart
@felicityinkpen
@danmurrayartist
@jesscrisp1
@needle__bow_by_miss_modeuse
@elainewilsonvisualart
@mairimacsweendesigns
@thecityworkshop
@kategeorgedesign
@preciousmetalsworkshop
@remodecollective
@timbremnerart
@i.am.abi.art
@solencollet

Thanks for your support - until next week, go see some art and keep fighting! 

Exhibition news! A Closer Look

Poster artwork by Kate George Design
Printed by Outoftheblueprint

A Closer Look 
Wednesday 13th - Saturday 23rd September 

Hours: 10am-5pm

Opening Reception Wednesday 13th of September from 6-8pm

Join us for drinks and nibbles

36 Dalmeny Street, Leith EH6 8RG

Following the success of Outside + In in May, the talented studio artists of the Out of the Blue Drill Hall have joined forces again to bring you, A Closer Look. You are guaranteed a friendly welcome and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy paintings, drawings, prints, illustrations, jewellery, photography, mixed media works, textile pieces and more. There will be art for all to enjoy as we invite you to take a closer look. 

Participating artists include: (give these artists a follow on Instagram)

• Megan Chapman
• Aoife in Leith
• Catherine Giselle
• Felicity Inkpen
• Dan Murray
• Jessica Crisp
• Needle Bow
• Elaine Wilson
• Mairi MacSween Designs
• Tamar Whitson
• Kate George Design
• Precious Metals Workshop
• Remode Collective
• Tim Bremner
• Abi Lewis
• Solen Collet