Cross Street Arts steals my heart.

Dear Readers,

Sorry for my delay, I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to check in last Friday. I think we have a few things to catch up on and they are all exciting! This past week, all my new work was completed, varnished, given words and titles and then documented and packed up for the train journey to England. It was such a thrill to finish up the works and remove the tape around the edges of the paper and see them come alive. I couldn't be more pleased.

The journey by train was so beautiful and transporting the art was easily managed, my paper works in an old black zippered portfolio of Stewart's. His work was packed in one box and in a bag and it all fit into the luggage rack in the train not far from our seats.

If I could take a train to every exhibition I needed to attend, I would. I just loved watching the world go by, the sheep, the fields, the hills, the villages; all so very lovely and then before we knew it we arrived at our destination.

The director and curator of Cross Street Arts, Steven Heaton, picked us up at the station in his vintage, green Morris Minor. As luck would have it, we fit in his lovely car with all the work and our luggage and made the short drive to the Cross Street Arts studios and gallery in Standish. It was a beautiful drive as spring came to this part of England perhaps a little sooner than Edinburgh. The sun was shining, the flowers and trees were in full bloom and everything looked inviting.

We spent the rest of Thursday getting to know the gallery space, unveiling the art and getting things installed. We also met with a local press photographer for short interviews and lots of photos of us and our work. It was great to be back at Ok Studios/Cross Street Arts. We visited briefly last spring when I was over here as well and it was great to see several familiar artists and to meet new ones. Everyone was helpful and friendly, making us feel right at home and very much welcomed. It is a lovely setting for a gallery and studio space. It is infectious to be in such a creative space, walking through the open plan studio complex and seeing snippets of every one's work and getting that sense of community was very inspiring. I hope now that the fever of getting this body of work prepared and delivered for the exhibition is over that I will have time to meet some of my studio mates here in Edinburgh over at The Arts Complex.

The Cross Street Arts gallery is a lovely light filled space and fit both mine and Stewart's work perfectly. Thanks to prior planning over the Internet (Skype is a great thing!) everything went smoothly. I am pleased to report that Cross Street Arts is now a supporter and sponsor of my project "Ghosts of the Past Exposed." As soon as Cross Street Arts knew I had secured funding to return overseas, Director Steven Heaton asked if I would like to debut this new work in their gallery. Not only did they generously provide the space and the invitation to debut these works but they also covered all installation expenses and promotional costs of the exhibition. Many commercial galleries would do at least some of this, but Cross Street Arts is a non profit studio and gallery and they used money from their tight budget to help bring my project to light and to reach a larger audience and for that I will be forever grateful. It takes a lot to make these things happen, a lot of communication and working together and it was a true joy from start to finish (and it is not even done, the exhibition will remain on show at the gallery through June 14th).

The crowd on opening night was phenomenal, with an easy and gentle start to a sudden packed house. The folks in attendance were lovely, making sure to come up and introduce themselves and talk to us about our works. We had the old and young, a collection of artists, hipsters and even some movers and shakers from the Manchester and surrounding art worlds. Everyone seemed interested in the work and in us and we had great and involved conversations. It felt so perfect and I think I smiled all night long. Everyone was so genuine and so appreciative of the work and of us being there in their town. I honestly don't think the opening could have gone any better or been more enjoyable. It reminded me again of how lucky I am to be in this business and how it is the stories and interactions that always make it worth it. The art is hugely important and without it we wouldn't have any of this but it is the relationships and the exchange of ideas and the experiences that art brings me that fills my heart and keeps me going.

Thank you Steven Heaton and everyone at Cross Street Arts for providing this opportunity for us and for the community you serve through the arts. These are the things that make life bright and beautiful and make places like Standish special gems. Thanks to everyone who came to the opening and made Stewart and I feel so warmly welcomed, I will remember your faces and smiles for years to come.

Support the arts in Standish and the mission of Cross Street Arts. Go to their exhibitions, let the artists know that they are doing a great job and be a part of this vital community. I know there is space for you in the inclusive and impressive art world that they are creating. Like them on Facebook, Twitter and visit their website and even better, go visit them in their studios and at the gallery.

And of course please visit our exhibition:

Through time and distance
Megan Chapman
Stewart Bremner
17 May- 14 June
Thursday- Saturday 12-4pm
and by appointment

Painting! Exhibitions!

Hello!

After taking a few days off, this week has been dedicated to finishing my move in at the studio and then rapidly turning towards working in the space. I have gone to the studio for the past six days and am feeling more comfortable in the building, using the kitchen and marching up the 5 flights of stairs up to my studio. I haven't yet been brave enough to check out the 5th floor common area during a break but I have plenty of time when I am not painting on a strict deadline to check it out.

Things have been a bit fevered as I finish up a ten piece body of work for "Through time and distance"  opening a week from today in Manchester, England at Cross Street Arts. Stewart and I are very excited about the exhibition and are pleased that we are able to be present at the reception and that we are giving an art talk the Saturday after the opening. I am looking forward to being on a train again! Here is the poster for our exhibition. If you are in and around greater Manchester area next weekend come and say hello. We would love to see you and share our work!

Closer to my Arkansas home is an exciting exhibition opening tomorrow night at Boswell-Mourot Fine Art. Stewart and I will also have our works in this group show. If you are in and around Little Rock, Arkansas tomorrow night please make plans to attend. I would be there if I wasn't over here! In case you missed it last week, here is the poster for that exhibition.

So, that is what is going on. I am painting and staring out the window at the view when I am taking breaks. Other than that, I have been walking a lot and going to my yoga classes twice a week.

Next week's post might be late (since I will be in England and it might all be a bit frantic) but I will check back in here as soon as possible (say Saturday or Sunday- if I don't post on Friday).

Thank you all for reading, supporting, encouraging and inspiring me. Everything you have given to me helps me to be braver, stronger, and work harder. 

Until next week, keep fighting. 

Love, 

Megan

PS. Everyday we paint is a victory- it truly is. 

good and sad

My new studio, full of possibility

Dear Readers,

What a week. With great sadness I feel I must note that my dear sister in law Julie Leff passed away on Thursday morning after almost a year of dealing with bile duct cancer. This is my art blog and I know many of you didn't know Julie but as this journal reflects my life as well as my art in many ways I needed to mention it here. Julie has been part of my family since my early teen years, 27 some years and was a big part of my life. I am thinking of her constantly and of my brother Ben and their brilliant daughters, Emily and Elena. Julie supported my art and my project to come to Scotland. She was always curious and interested in what I was doing and celebrated many milestones in my life and art. I know she was happy and excited for me and my adventure in Scotland. I love you Julie. You will be so dearly missed.

I know Julie would be very excited about my next news and that is that this week, the day before she died I got the keys to my studio #5.23 at the arts complex. This was always a major goal and component of my project and without her support and encouragement it would not have happened.

Postcard for Through time and distance at Cross Street Arts in Greater Manchester, England

I am looking forward to finishing up my current body of work for the upcoming "Through time and distance" exhibition that opens May 17th at Cross Street Arts in England. The studio will be an ideal place to focus on my work with out distractions.

While I am painting in preparation for the show in England, there are also exciting things happening in Arkansas. Stewart Bremner and my work will be featured in an upcoming exhibition at Boswell- Mourot Fine Art in Little Rock Arkansas. If you are in Arkansas please make plans to attend the exhibition.

Post card for the upcoming exhibition at Boswell-Mourot Fine Art, Little Rock, Arkansas

Life is so strange, so messy, so wonderful, so sad and so tragic. However, good things keep on happening as well as the sad things and we keep on moving forward and living the best we can. I am grateful for all the gifts I have been given, the lessons I have learned and the inspiration that I find. Thank you for being part of it and letting me share it all with you. 

Until next week, you know what to do. Live this mostly beautiful life to the fullest and make a difference on this planet just like Julie did. 

Love, 

Megan

Watching the world

What week is this? How long have I been here? Time marches on...

I haven't been getting out as much or doing as many tourist based things. Did I say that last week? I have been busy living and doing pretty well. The focus has turned to art and because of this, I completed another painting in my new series.

One last time
30x22"
Mixed media on paper
2013 Megan Chapman

Besides painting this week, I walked a lot and attended my two yoga classes. I also started reading a good book. With all the walking and yoga it seemed like a self help book was in order. I really like this one as it is not fluffy or guru like or too whatever self help books can sometimes be. This one is straight forward and focused on the brain and self observation. If you are in the market I highly recommend it. 

Remember before I left I was thinking about some basic questions that one might want to ask themselves in order to lay the foundation for an artist to create or for anyone to live a little better or more happily? Well I think I answered the questions I proposed like once at the time and flitted on to something else (probably getting ready for this trip). Well, now I am happily able to answer yes to most of the questions regularly which makes me feel so much better about myself and the world and helps me get to the place I need to be to make art.

Here is a refresher: 

Did you move your body today? 
Walk, Yoga, Dance etc. 
Did you express yourself through art today? 
Not a big project, just something creative.
Did you drink water and take vitamins today? 
Basic self care is so easy to forget
Did you reach out to friends or family today? 
Make plans to connect outside yourself.
Did you explore someone else's art today? 
Keep learning and exploring as not to grow stagnant
Did you do something for your own art career today?
Update your website, write a blog, return an email etc.

Anyway, I just want to leave you with a random thought:

I like taking the bus to and from one of the yoga classes I am signed up for. I don't listen to music or read a book or anything. I just sit and look out the window, breathe and watch my thoughts go by. I look out at the people walking, I look at the statues and ornate buildings. I look at the castle and the church yard. I look at the people getting on and off the bus. I just sit and observe and usually I feel myself fill with gratitude. I am far from home and I am alone on a bus. I am on my way to or from a yoga class full of strangers at a place I have never been until recently. I don't know the names of the streets as they pass. I am not scared, I am not agitated, I am not concerned. I am just sitting on the bus watching this beautiful world pass and being part of it at the same time. This is my greatest accomplishment. 

Soil of the south

The view from Calton Hill on Wednesday evening

Hello hello!

Thanks for joining me here again!

All is well here in Edinburgh and spring looks like it may have really sprung. The daffodils are all blooming and I have seen some flowering trees and shrubs. The sun was out all day today as well, which was a real treat. As many of you know I lived in Oregon for six years so I am no stranger to rain and grey skies but it is just so amazing when the sun does come out and it changes everything for the better. You just can't take the sun or even spring for granted over here but when it happens it feels like a true gift not to be wasted.

This past Saturday I went to my second art club meeting and it was a good session of decoupage. It really could be called cake club, as that is what we seem to do for the first hour or so; just eating cake, drinking tea and making small talk within our small group. It is lovely to be around people and to be making new friends this time around.

On Sunday we went to the Royal Scottish Academy's new contemporaries exhibition and then on to the National Gallery of Scotland to enjoy some old masters. Then we walked through new town and had a super yummy curry at Haq's on Leith walk, a new discovery in curry close to the flat.

The rest of the week, Monday- Friday is a blur of walking in the evenings and afternoons while exploring local graveyards, parks, Asian markets and the view of the city from Calton hill. There has also been a smattering of family research, the attending of two yoga classes and a pizza dinner with Pat Bremner.

The most exciting thing that happened this week is that I completed my first painting in my new series of works for our two person show at Cross Street Arts in England! I am really pleased with how it turned out.
So, without further ado I will share with you and bring some art back to this art blog.

The soil of the southern states
Mixed media on paper 30x22"
Megan Chapman, 2013

detail
The soil of the southern states
Mixed media on paper
 Megan Chapman, 2013

detail
the soil of the southern states
Mixed media on paper
 Megan Chapman, 2013

My heart got the old familiar fluttery feeling it gets when making something. I love solving all the problems that coming with making art. I am looking forward to seeing how the series evolves. The first piece is always the hardest and I have a tight schedule to turn it all around.

So I think that is all for this week. I have been here for 5 weeks and I have walked 109 miles, attended 5 hours of yoga and completed one full sized painting, among other things. Thank you to all who have supported me, followed my work and travels and to those who have encouraged and inspired me. I carry you all with me. Until next week, keep fighting. 

Everyday we paint is a victory...

A Room of One's Own

Warriston Cemetary, Edinburgh

Hello!

Well it has been another exciting week in Edinburgh! In some ways it feels like I am doing less tourist type stuff and more living type stuff and that doesn't make for the most exciting entries. However, something very exciting happened this week, so let's get started!

On Saturday I decided I really wanted to see the sea and walk on the beach. I looked up the bus schedule and figured out the route and made plans to spend the day in Portobello. Stewart and I got ready and were out the door (a 3 minute walk to the bus) and for 1.50 (pounds) each, the bus took us there in about 20 minutes. It is so lovely to be able to just walk out the door to reliable public transportation.

Once at Portobello, we went to a lovely outdoor market in a local park that had fresh soap, pastries, jams, etc. and then we walked up the High street and visited numerous charity shops, from there we walked to the promenade to a beautiful stretch of beach. It was really lovely and just so close. I didn't make it to Portobello the last time I was here, so it was quite a revelation. After we walked a little over 5 miles we got the bus back to town where I finally had the gumption to go into this little corner pub (which is catty corner) from the flat, called The Tourmalet. The place was perfect, with a friendly attitude and comfortable decor. A great find and so amazingly close! Saturday was a great day full of new discoveries.

Sunday, I stayed in mostly recovering from our long walking excursion the day before but I still put the day to good use. I did some family research and I thought more about the upcoming exhibition in Manchester and what kind of work I want to do and researched some techniques and ideas. 

On Monday, I ordered my supplies. That took more time than it probably should have but of course I was working with an unfamiliar art supply company, products and sizes. With a a lot of help from Stewart I finally managed to place my order. I also wrote out a stack of post cards to some of my supporters of my project, it felt good to write and start working on getting some of the requested perks sent out to my supporters of my project. I also went to the local art shop, Greyfriars to get some other supplies. It is so nice to have access to a sweet little art shop. I bought some paper to start making some small works while waiting for the supplies I ordered to arrive. 

On Tuesday, I started prepping the small papers. I have 10 small works in progress with the surface gessoed and tea stained. These will be collage paintings and used as experiments with the techniques and ideas I want to use for the Manchester work. 

On Wednesday, I started typing up some words and ideas for the show and the small works. I am also experimenting and getting to know the printer that was purchased to help me produce some of the effects and elements I want to put in the paintings. Wednesday night is the night my yoga class meets, so I went to my second hour long yoga session around the corner. I am so glad I signed up for this class. I love it. I hope my instructor teaches another session after this one. The other yoga class I am signed up for starts a week from today and is 2 hours/session and lasts 10 weeks so I am looking forward to that. It just makes such a difference in my life.

Thursday is the day that it all gets exciting. On Wednesday I had called about a studio at a large studio and gallery complex and I made an appointment to view a space on Thursday morning. Stewart accompanied me to show me the bus route and check out the space. It is a quick and easy bus ride. The studio is only about 1.3 miles from the flat, a short 7 minute bus ride once you walk the 10 minutes up the street to the bus stop. I was just going to look but once I was inside and saw the space I just went for it and signed the lease on the space!

I will move in May 1st if not sooner! My studio has two south facing windows filled with an amazing view of Arthur's Seat. The complex has 200 artists working there and 3 galleries, a lending library and a swap shop. It is my kind of place. We walked home from the space so I could familiarize myself with the walking route, I think I floated home. I smiled the whole time and there were even a few tears. I have been heartbroken ever since I lost my studio space a year and a half ago and have found it terribly hard to work and focus on the bigger picture. Having a studio is like having a home for my dreams and a place to put them into action. I have felt homeless without a studio environment. Knowing now that I have this space to work and dream in is like having a missing puzzle piece found and locked into position and now I am whole again. I am really excited and again so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you to all my donors and supporters. To celebrate we walked around town and explored, visiting a graveyard in Leith, some charity shops, some ethnic food markets and there was also another visit to the Tourmalet.

Today, we went for a lovely 6 mile walk and ended up exploring Warriston Cemetery. The cemetery is such a dreamy place, filled with forgotten treasure, there are so many stories, I can't wait to go back and explore further.

So that has been the week. Today marks 4 weeks and 1 day since I have been here. I have walked 89 miles and attended 2 yoga classes, drank a lot of good beer, seen a lot of art and each day I push forward reaching towards my goals. Each day I make a choice to say yes with gratitude in my heart.

Thanks for going along with me.

Love,
Megan



Portobello beach sounds and sun

Week 3: Edinburgh, Scotland

Dean Village on the way to the Modern Art Gallery

Hello!

I will catch you up with some of my past rambles around this lovely city of Edinburgh and then I will tell you a little about art! Because after all this is an ART blog right? Right!

The time seemed to fly by as we approached the end of my third week in Scotland.

On Saturday I got up early and waited in anticipation for the opening of the flea market at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall. Once inside, I quickly scored 6 lovely old maps of Scotland for just 10 pounds. The oldest map was from 1908 and the youngest from 1940. I imagine these are raw materials for future art. Later in the evening, there was a brisk walk to Ocean Terminal, which is a large shopping complex next to the Firth of Forth. We met up with Stewart's Mom, Dad, Sister and Stewart's niece for an Italian dinner, in a large glass front restaurant over looking the water. I don't know why exactly but there seems to be an abundance of good Italian food here in this town.

On Easter Sunday, there was some family research at home and later, another family dinner, this time at Stewart's Mom's place where we enjoyed Chinese delivery with his sister again. I had made hot cross buns on Friday, so we took some for dessert. Family traditions are always sweeter when far away, they seem to provide some sort of grounding or reassurance. We caught the bus home and sat up front in the top deck, like a proper tourist. I always enjoy the night time bus rides back from Stewart's Mom's place. Something sort of warm and cozy about the night bus and after the walk there it feels almost luxurious to get a ride home.

On Monday, we took a long walk to the Modern Gallery of art to take in the currently exhibition. I love this walk by the water of Leith and through Stockbridge and Dean village and Dean cemetery. Once at the gallery, I was thrilled to see five Francesca Woodman photographs on show. I had only ever seen one print in person before, so this was a lovely treat and even better because it was a total surprise. The rest of the show pretty much left me cold. You can read Stewart's review of the exhibition to get a sense of it. 

On Tuesday (after Monday's long walk) time was spent indoors and researching my great great great grandparents, Murdoch Campbell and Christian McNeill Campbell. I also made arrangements and enrolled two Yoga classes. A four week class that meets for an hour every Wednesday night for 4 weeks which is around the corner and then a ten week class that meets every Friday for 2 hours which I will have to take the bus to and where I will meeting up with a friend who is also taking the class. I am really looking forward to the yoga, it has always done more for me than almost anything else I have tried to do to bring me a sense of calm and ready my brain for art making. I am so pleased I am taking advantage of all the city has to offer.

Wednesday saw the brightest day, full of sun. It is amazing the difference in the town and the mood of the people in it when the sun shines. It was a perfect day to begin my yoga class at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall. It was a small class with a teacher and eight other women and it was really great- I was so happy I signed up! I am looking forward to next Wednesday's class.

Yesterday was spent doing more research and thinking of supplies that I need to begin painting. Later there was another visit to Stewart's Mom's place, this time  to celebrate her birthday. Stewart cooked for us and also made Rhubarb crumble. It was another lovely visit. Then we caught the bus home. Like I said I do love a night time bus ride. Pat loaned me this amazing book which got me all stirred up again researching late into the night.

Today, I have been doing some project stuff, getting ready to send out some postcards as a perk to some of the lovely folks that helped to get me back here. I also got a printer for some things I want to do soon....

Enough with the soon, let's cut to the chase. This week was very exciting in the art front! I am thrilled to report that we just received confirmation from the director and curator of Cross Street Arts that Stewart Bremner and I will be having a two person exhibition in Manchester, England in mid May! This is a huge and wonderful opportunity for us both and we are very grateful for it. I have pretty clear vision of what I want to do, I will just have to see if I can pull it off...

Stay tuned...

PS. In the past 3 weeks I have walked 64.7 miles.