Friday, May 26, 2017

All the time it took to remember

All the time it took to remember
Acrylic on canvas
76x51x4cm/30x20x1.5"
2016 Megan Chapman
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This week has been full of sun and warmth and delightfully so! I spent some time in the studio this week sketching out the start of a new accidental portrait as well as laying the grounds on a few canvases, big and small. I also rediscovered some small canvas works that I have now decided are done and will be documenting them soon.

I have started the MOMA course and completed week one just before I sat down to write this blog post. I like the course so far and have enjoyed the refresher on canvas and paint basics as well as some of the back story surrounding the New York School and the critics involved in helping make that time as it became known. The readings are quite thorough and took me back to my university days. Looking forward to starting week two and the Barnett Newman module. If you are taking the course, I hope you are enjoying it as well. I hope to discuss more of the course in my Tuesday Studio Visit Videos as well as on here, once it gets a bit deeper into the meat of the subject. Again for a free course, it seems to offer a lot of good information and is a real treasure for those on a budget that need some structure or inspiration.

In other news, I had another sale! This time from The Colour Purple exhibition at Union Gallery last month. I was delighted to learn this news! This weekend I plan to visit an art supply store and get some new materials, the MOMA course already has me thinking about new ideas for my studio practice. 

Besides the art world, I've been cleaning the park, the street, and practicing my ukulele everyday since I brought it home. I have also been meditating and practicing yoga as well. To balance all this out I also made my first ever pitcher of Sangria. Tasty. 

Again, few words for you this week, but I am glad I posted on time! Love and light to you and yours. Keep fighting.

Friday, May 19, 2017

The storm in my head and other people's art



This past week was all about migraines. Every day for six days. I decided it was a type of shamanic journey I just needed to take. So I listened to the storm in my brain until I came out the other side.

I remembered the value of yoga and meditation and returned to them again. I remembered the value of making space within. Thanks to a dear friend I was reminded to no longer water the rocks in my life. So I watered (and visited) a friend and sat in the glorious sun of her incredible garden. All of these things, plus an appointment with a doctor made me feel a whole lot better. Also, I now own a Ukulele and that has to be good!



This week, I also enjoyed seeing a friend, Ever Dundas realize a dream and speak about her debut novel, Goblin like an old pro in the beautiful setting of the grand old Edinburgh Central Library. These things were good for my soul. Celebrating other people's hard work, seeing their efforts pay off, to be a witness as they put their art into the world is a joy.

The storm in my head is now quiet and for the moment so is my studio, but I have a feeling the winds of change will be blowing in soon.

Thanks for checking in and being part of this experience. Until next week, keep fighting, the world needs you and your art.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Litter, Resistance, and more Accidental Portraits

I seem to be a person of few words right now. I love my blog and the practice of writing it, but I have been a bit sad lately as well as under the weather. I currently also have this obsession with the litter problem in my neighborhood and that is cutting into my art brain. I need to be mindful that my community litter picking doesn't become a form of studio resistance.

Speaking of resistance have you all read, The War of Art? I am sure I have mentioned it in the earlier days of my blog but I would highly recommend the book if you struggle with any forms of resistance. I need to read it again.

I did manage to paint two more accidental portraits so it can't be all that bad. If I am honest, after coming out of the gate so strong at the start of the year with 180 pieces of the distillation process, everything feels a bit of a let down. It's all temporary and I will return to my art heart and brain. I can balance my community involvement with my calling, I am sure of it.

I am still creating Tuesday Studio Visit Videos over on my facebook page, so go have a look if you have missed any. I am also looking forward to starting the MOMA course on Abstract Art.

All will be well. There has to be time to pause and reflect to keep the fire burning.

Here are the latest Accidental Portraits. 



Until next week, keep fighting!

Friday, May 5, 2017

Recent Sales!

I am delighted to report several recent sales (from several different bodies) of my work!

Two of the Accidental Portraits have now found homes, both in the states. One of the pieces from my Reconstruction series shown in the Fenix & Friends exhibition in the Walker-Stone House in Fayetteville, Arkansas sold as well! Even though I now live in Scotland, it makes my heart happy to know my work is still loved and appreciated in the states.

This year has been very quiet so far and these three sales were a soothing balm for my artist's soul. As well as these originals, a several of my small prints have sold recently from my Etsy shop as well, with two also going to the states, and two staying here in Scotland.

It is very encouraging and helps me to continue on the path, so for all that support me with your hard earned dollars and pounds, I thank you and am grateful for your continued support.

Accidental Portrait #3
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Accidental Portrait #2
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On the brink
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