Sheila Chapman

I am a figurative painter based in Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm inspired by everyday experience of life and especially people and nature. My paintings often focus on nature and the way people connect with the natural environment in our modern world, especially those of us living in cities and towns. I think about how important the environment is for all of us, and how the changing environment may affect our future lives.

I record my ideas in sketches, photographs or plein air paintings, from which I often then develop larger works in the studio. I enjoy using the physicality and expressiveness of the materials - usually ink,acrylic paint or watercolour - to attempt to describe in visual language those strange or beautiful moments which always seem to elude capture in the written word.

I am inspired by contemporary figurative artists such as Peter Doig, Marlene Dumas and Chantalle Joffe, but also by the Scottish tradition of painting including artists such as William Gillies and the Scottish Colourists, especially Cadell for his bold use of colour.

I studied physics at University and worked as a patent attorney for over ten years before deciding to focus on my lifelong interest in making art. I completed a BA degree in Combined Studies (Art & Design) at Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland, in 2016 and am now a practising artist based in Edinburgh. I exhibit locally and further afield, and have completed many commissions for clients.

Macmillan Art Show 2023 - November 2023, Edinburgh

Macmillan Art Show 2021 - online November 2021, Edinburgh, UK

Society of Wildlife Artists (SWA) Annual Exhibition "The Natural Eye 2021" at the Mall Galleries, London, October 2021

ING Discerning Eye 2020 Exhibition - online Nov-Dec 2020, London, UK

Macmillan Art Show 2020- online November 2020, Edinburgh, UK

Macmillan Art Show, Edinburgh, August 2018 & 2019

Scottish Society of Artists "OPEN" exhibition at RSA Galleries, Edinburgh, 29 Jan - 8th March 2018

Columbia Threadneedle Prize 2018 exhibition, Mall Galleries, London, 31 Jan - 17th Feb 2019

Solo Exhibition - "All Our Lives", at McNaughtons Bookshop & Gallery, 3a & 4a Haddington Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AE, 24th October-23rd December 2017

Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show 2017, 24-27th August, Bonhams, 22 Queen St, Edinburgh (Edinburgh Fringe Venue 216)

"Forests, Kids & Nature", solo show at Embo Deli, 29 Haddington Place, Leith Walk, Edinburgh UK. From 27th Jan - 8th March 2017

Macmillan Art Show 2016, Bonhams Auctioneers, Edinburgh

Degree Show 2016, Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland, May/June 2016

Visual Arts Scotland CONVERGE Exhibition, March 2016

Scottish Society of Artists (SSA) Open Exhibition, 2013

Royal ...