Friday, March 31, 2017

New! Limited Edition Prints are here!




They're here! My new limited edition prints have been released to the world! You can purchase them exclusively through my Etsy shop, Artmaven



The Story:

The Distillation Process
- conversations born of charcoal dust, my hand, and heart.

My latest project, "The Distillation Process," is a series of 180 paintings on paper created in January of this year. I wanted to give myself the challenge of creating six paintings each day, using only white and yellow ochre paint and charcoal, over the course of a month. These minimalist pieces focus on movement and gesture, spontaneously capturing my visual language as it is repeated and expanded. The process was a lesson in commitment, structure, and intuition. Confessional and dark at times, yet also quick and bright, the distillation process lead me down a new and vigorous path.

I have carefully selected 19 works from the original 180, that I feel represent the heart of the completed series. The following selections are now available as a series of signed, limited edition prints.

A huge part of the original process was very physical, immediate, and included the use of non-archival newsprint paper, and as such, the originals do not exist to be shown or sold. I will keep the originals in my personal archives and these limited edition prints will be the only representation of the process and the pieces that resulted.

Buying these limited edition prints supports mental health charity work:

10% from each sale from my distillation process limited edition print series will be donated to the Scottish Association for Mental Health. As beautiful as this world can be, there is darkness too, and sometimes we all need help. I want to contribute to people getting the help and services they need so they can experience more beautiful days. You can learn more about the charity and the good work they are doing here in Scotland as well as find helpful resources for yourself or a loved one.

Fine Art Print Details:

These prints are of my original abstract paintings created in my studio in Leith, a vibrant arts community in Edinburgh, Scotland. Each print is hand numbered, titled, dated and signed on the front.

These reproductions are professionally printed in Edinburgh with pigment inks on acid-free and archival 190gsm, 100% cotton rag paper. Archival prints should last 70-100 years so you can buy with confidence and enjoy your art for many years to come.

Available in Paper Size A3: 
42x29.7cm / 16.5x11.69 inches are priced at £65 and 29.7x29.7cm square / 11.69x11.69 inches are priced £45 and are limited to an edition of 25

Each print will be packed with a sturdy backing board inside a clear plastic sleeve and then placed inside a non-bendable mailer and shipped through the Royal Mail either track and sign or special delivery (depending on which size is purchased) in the UK or International track and sign depending on your location.

Thanks so much for your support of my work. Until next week, you know what to do (keep fighting and go buy some art!)

Friday, March 24, 2017

New limited edition prints: Soon!

My armor, my solace, my connection
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

I was pleased to share the final selections from the Distillation Process with you all last week here and across social media. Thank you for your support and excitement over my latest body of work. It means so much to me, I am quite excited about releasing this series in limited edition prints. 

I visited with the brilliant designer, printer, and now shopkeeper, Jenni Douglas yesterday as we made our final decisions on the best paper for the reproductions. Jenni showed me an artist proof of one of my favourite pieces from the series and I was delighted with the quality and richness of the print. The colour and detail are superb and the finish of the archival cotton matte paper is perfect. I happily gave her the go ahead to print the other pieces on this same paper and I should be able to release them into the world next week.

Until then, I have a few details from my artist proof of the piece, My armor, my solace, my connection, to share with you today. At A3 size (42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5") these prints are a beautiful and strong presence.

Wonderful detail and richness


A good size, I can't wait to have my proof framed

A moment of sun hits the print, illuminating the details

Rich in colour and texture with a border for easy framing

Have a look back at last week's post to see the complete series and start thinking about which piece or pieces might be right for your collection. Until next week, keep fighting. The world needs you.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Selections from the distillation

I am excited to share my latest series of paintings with you all. Out of the 180 pieces from January's distillation process, I have selected these 19 works on paper to represent the completed series. The following selections will be available soon as a series of signed, limited edition prints. I am currently finalizing the reproduction details and will let you know more about their availability soon. Until then, I hope you will enjoy my latest work.
A most perfect obstacle
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Alchemy
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Deluge
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"

In a clatter of teacups and perfectly broken hearts
© 2017 Megan Chapman
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"
signed limited edition print

Just under the surface
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Luxury of darkness
© 2017 Megan Chapman
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"
signed limited edition print

My armor, my solace, my connection
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Of questions and worries
© 2017 Megan Chapman
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"
signed limited edition print

Our stories align
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Paths, ravines, timeless tales
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"

Places to become lost
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"

Resolute
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Solitude, slumber, and heartache
© 2017 Megan Chapman
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"
signed limited edition print

The awkward beauty of what comes next
© 2017 Megan Chapman
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"
signed limited edition print

The best medicine
© 2017 Megan Chapman
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"
signed limited edition print

The scars and damages left behind
© 2017 Megan Chapman
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"
signed limited edition print

To dream the wild
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
Paper size 29.7x29.7 cm/11.7x11.7"

What should have been said
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Your story, not mine
© 2017 Megan Chapman
signed limited edition print
paper size A3 42x29.7cm/11.7x16.5"

Friday, March 10, 2017

We can't be what we can't see



Every now and then I am asked for a photo of myself working in my studio for an interview or article. I am always honored to be interviewed but the studio photo always causes a bit of trepidation because:

A. I don't have a current studio photo.
B. I want the work to speak for itself.
C. Fear of being judged.



I am pleased to report we finally tackled the issue, thanks to Stewart Bremner and his photography skills. We now have a selection of "me in my studio" photos to choose from, the next time this delightful dilemma comes up.

We can't be what we can't see and how many photographs of women do you see in their art studios? So fight the fear, fight the power, and be seen.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Mentors


Listening to these women gives me hope and that's all I have for you this week.


Friday, February 24, 2017

Accentuate the positive



In positive, productive, and inspiring news, I am happy to share a couple of art related happenings that I am currently attending to.

I am delighted to be featured in an upcoming interview for the gorgeous, Art Scotland (I am working on answering the questions right now and will update you once the feature is live). I have also just been invited to show several of my recent paintings in an exciting exhibition, The Colour Purple, in April at the always impressive, Union Gallery. I am very excited and truly grateful for these upcoming opportunities.

The sun is starting to shine a bit more and the wind is milder (despite yesterday's storm, Doris Day) and it is starting to stay light, later each day. There are hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils on the living room mantel. All signs that spring is on its way. I think making it through a Scottish winter is a real triumph and it appears I have almost done it yet again.

I am still working on getting the Distillation Process properly documented in order to make limited edition prints and we are still tying up loose ends with the visa process. It will all get done, it will all be well.

Where ever you are and whatever you do, I hope you are well and are taking care of yourself. I know many of us are spending countless hours worrying about the state of the world and our governments. Besides worrying, many of us are taking action (some for the first time) as well. I thank you for your action and for protecting our civil liberties and freedoms. Until next week, keep fighting!



Friday, February 17, 2017

Wanting to remain


I must admit I miss the creative energy and drive of the distillation process. The past 17 days have been lacking the recent passion and unfortunately, have been fraught with anxiety. It's all hands on deck while we complete the visa process (yet again) so that I may remain in Scotland with Stewart and our cat Theo. It is incredibly stressful but we are making good progress on the time sensitive application. I can't wait for it to be over and to (hopefully) be granted that coveted permission slip from the U.K. government so that I can live another 2.5 years in my newly adopted homeland.

I have decided (mostly) not to freak out about this process, the expense and the rigor of the application as well as the required supporting documents, but it is always with me. If anything, this process has given me, even more, empathy for all the immigrants in the world going through the various processes to remain with their families, friends, loved ones, and pets in their newly adopted lands. We just want to be free to pursue our hearts, curiosity, opportunity, safety and our lives as we choose. It's so simple yet it is made so complex. I also know my educated, white, privilege makes this difficult immigration process so much easier for me. I will never forget this and I vow my continued solidarity with immigrants around the world.



So that's what's been going on if I haven't been publishing as much social media/art content as usual.

In other, more exciting news, part of the distillation process has begun to be documented for a series of limited edition prints (three of these images can be seen here in this blog).

It was so good to see the work in a new light after some time away from it. It's a bit tricky to document them with all the ripples and ridges in the paper but I think we will be able to work it out and make something beautiful. I will keep you posted as we progress. Until next week, please keep fighting. It's working.