I painted before I patched Dirty boots Hello. Here we are again on an actual Friday.  Thanks for checking out the Friday Studio Blog. I hope you are doing well. I am sitting out in the sun while I write this. Thanks again to everyone who came out to support the artists of the Out of the Blue Drill Hall last week for our exhibition, Outside + In. The show came down last Saturday at 5pm. It was good to spend so much time in the hall for that week - it was like pushing a pause button on my grief. Art has always protected me in that way.  This week I found myself plun ..read more

Outside + In An exhibition of artists and makers from the Out of the Blue Drill Hall community is on for two more days. If you are local to Edinburgh or are passing through, don't miss the exhibition on display from 10am-5pm. this Friday (19th) and Saturday (20th). 36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG. There are 16 artists currently participating in this group exhibition and there is a range of pieces available to purchase and enjoy, from drawings, riso prints, reproductions, abstract and realist paintings, collage, textiles, felted work, as well as mixed media paintings on slates, photograph ..read more

EXHIBITION NEWS!  Join us for Outside + In featuring the work of the Out of the Blue Drill Hall makers and artists. The exhibition will be held from the 15th-20th of May 2023 from 10am-5pm, with a reception on Wednesday the 17th of May from 5:30 - 7:30pm. The Out of the Blue Drill Hall is located at 36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG. All are welcome! Here are just some of the participant's Instagram handles (check them out, give them a follow, and come to the show and see the work in person and meet the artists!). There is sure to be something for everyone and a fun and easy-goi ..read more

I am still here, I didn't turn into dust. I am not sure how. I am walking for miles (my go-to coping strategy) talking, seeing friends, sleeping, resting, grieving, recovering, eating, crying, crying, crying. I talk to you as I look back into the empty rooms. I hope you will visit me in my dreams. I want you back. This is pretty fucking hard. Layers upon layers of grief. I can't move your things.  My friends have been amazing and the flowers are blooming and the trees are leafing out. I talk to the squirrels, pigeons, and birds. I suddenly have so many bird feeders. My wee animal friends ..read more

I don't want to write this post, but I do want to honour my best boy, best friend, companion and love, champion, warrior, protector, familiar, dear heart - my sweet Theo.  We worked so hard for as long as we could, but we had to say goodbye on Wednesday, April 26th 2023.  My heart and house feel so empty.  I will never forget you, Theo. Thank you for all the love, joy, and comfort you gave me and for everything you taught me. Thank you for being with me as I learned so much about my new country and myself. Every day I got to come home to you was a good day no matter what wa ..read more

To be made uncomfortable A3 size/11.7x16.5” 150gm smooth cartridge paper Megan Chapman  2020 private collection The pandemic has changed how some of us think about art and work. Perhaps some have realised that the traditional capitalist system is not always beneficial and that there are other ways of living. This has led to a shift as we desire to create a more compassionate inner landscape and society. We are becoming more aware of how our work can contribute to the greater good. Some of us also realise that we have been exploited or have even exploited ourselves in this outdate ..read more

Explore the Scottish diaspora in the United States through my series of limited edition prints from my "Ghosts of the Past" series available exclusively online in my shop.  This series of paintings dives into Scotland's history and culture as it relates to the Southern United States. Explore genealogy, poetry, and painting to gain a feeling of this moment in time.  Whether you're Scottish, American, or neither, these paintings explore the immigrant experience and provide you with a unique insight into the lives and stories of those who made their way either through choice or clearanc ..read more

At a march and rally for Scottish independence in 2019 I was lucky to have Pat Bremner in my corner and in my life. Pat was a dedicated arts and culture lover and an engaged independence supporter. Perhaps more importantly to me personally, Pat was beyond loving and thoughtful when she welcomed me into her family with openness and care. I will always be grateful for the inclusion I felt in her company.  We enjoyed films and lunch dates in the city, political marches and rallies, a bit of "Call the Midwife" back in the day and of course genealogy and "Who do you think you are." Sh ..read more

The Crossing mixed media on canvas 20x20" Megan Chapman 2004 private collection My birthday was on Monday, March 6th. I turned 51. I am writing this post well after the fact. I remember it was a bright sunny day - one of the first days that it felt like spring was actually going to come at last. I wore a bright daffodil yellow coloured cardigan.  I started the day by knowingly visiting someone very special to me for the last time. It was a beautiful and easy conversation and everything was said that needed to be. I marvelled at their strength, boldness, unwavering ki ..read more

In this world mixed media on canvas 30x26" Megan Chapman 2006 private collection Waking up to find the sunshine and my cat alive is a gift. The sunshine means he can sit in a pool of light and get warm - one of his favourite things that makes his fading life worth living. The sun helps me with my anticipatory grief and the sadness of caring for my fading friend. If I were a witch as I surely would have been back in Scotland's dark days, Theo is my familiar.  Since the last post, there was another vet visit. And this time opioids were prescribed and a 10-day course of antibiot ..read more