This past weekend, my friends Kim (@kimhovell) and Farah (@heyfarah) and I hosted an art opening and painting class in Annapolis, Maryland at Lightbox in Downtown Annapolis. The space is PERFECT for an art opening or event because its gorgeous and drenched in light with bright white walls and floors. I love it there.
Here are some photos of the event. Thanks so much to everyone who joined us!
Recently, I read this article on Artsy that really made me question the relationship between success as a female artist and motherhood. I know that I can do both, sometimes even well. Here’s a podcast all about the article, too!
But, the essential question is…can I do motherhood and art SUCCESSFULLY? My answer is YES. YES YES YES a million times over!
multi-tasking Mama here!
At an art show in 2018 (while visibly VERY pregnant), a man told me that I should stop having babies because they derail art careers. I was too tired and nauseous to care, but every time I juggle our new baby on my lap while responding to emails I remember that quote and think, “I am going to prove people who think that way wrong.” That’s a funny thing about me, I like to prove people wrong.
So, when Brit and Co called me last year and asked to film a HUGE project together, I thought to myself, “yep, I am flying to CA". The caveat was that I had been VERY sick while pregnant and wasn’t at all myself. And my ankles were HUGE…like scary huge. And I felt terrible. But, I did it anyways, because women are badass. I hid that 6 month baby bump behind some beautiful painting ladies and I filmed that show and I am so proud of myself for it!
Also, for any fellow mothers out there trying to achieve the ever-elusive balance of it all…listen to this amazing podcast (Artist Mother Podcast) for tips on how other moms are out there crushing it in the art world!
Art by Megan X Brit and Co
"Custom Mini Ocean" by Megan Elizabeth. Available in the shop.
You see this super cute pin? Well it's taking Pinterest by storm. I am serious. Maybe it's because it is really so stinking cute. BUT, maybe its because of my new best friend and online Pinterest scheduler called Tailwind.
Ok, so before I tell you all about how much I love, love, love Tailwind, let's be Pinterest friends.
Now, here's my ode to tailwind. What is Tailwind? According their website, it is "The complete Pinterest & Instagram marketing toolkit for bloggers and small businesses". Aka it is a GIANT timesaver.
It coordinates your pinning schedules, helps organize your Pinterest technique and helps to promote your business, which is amazing when you are a one-woman business like me and need multiple assistants. I consider it my most valuable employee with Planoly. So, basically I am telling you that I have two co-workers and their names are Tailwind and Planoly.
To use Tailwind, just sign up for an account, link your pinterest (make sure to organize and make the pinterest pages you share attractive, concise and related to your business vibe), then begin exploring their amazing tutorials, FAQ pages and draft your pins. You pick a pinning schedule and can schedule out your content months in advance, which is excellent for busy small business owners (and moms-to-be!). Also, you can join "tribes", which are the Tailwind equivalent of a group text. Everyone within the tribe helps one another grow their online presence and content spreads like wildfire.
For more information, check out this super helpful SEO post by my friend Jessica of Art and Soul Events.
And if you are on the search for growing your Pinterest following and helping to share more about your business and blog online, be sure to sign up with this code.
Be sure to sign up ASAP if you need help exposing your brand to new people on Pinterest. I have noticed HUGE success in the past 6 months since I signed up. This is not a sponsored post, FYI, I just love this service.
xoxo
M
New work is available in the shop today!! Woo hoo!
I worked on a new series of sunsets based on my observations and inspiration from a family trip to the Hamptons in June. The colors and reflections on the water combined with the clouds and beautiful summer skies really got me so inspired so I have set out to capture this trip. I was so amazed by the way the light changed each day and how cloudy days, sunny days and everything in-between were so distinct and different!
So, without further ado, check out the new Summer Sunset Series (say that 10 times fast!!) today over in the shop. And thank you, as always, for your support of Art by Megan.
"Blush Sea", 8x10 print.
My closest friends and family know that almost 4 years ago, I was COMPLETELY lost.
Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved teaching and I loved making art in the evenings and on weekends, but I was at a major crossroads. I actually have a unique curse of loving almost everything, so while I look like I am always happy and smiling, it's just because I am unusually good at "turning lemons into lemonade", as they say.
Our family was relocating to NYC and I was feeling major pressure to find a new job teaching high school Art and/or Spanish. But, the issue was that nothing felt right. I interviewed, I traveled to NYC looking for jobs, I visited schools, I interviewed again, I prepared countless applications on my couch at night and then went to work again in to teach "my kids" at school the next morning, but nothing was sticking. I felt hopeless.
Maybe my heart wasn't really in it.
Maybe the universe was shouting in my face "DO IT, MEGAN, TAKE THE LEAP!", but it just didn't feel like it at the time.
At the time, it felt like panic. I felt like doors were closing and my career was changing and it was SCARY. I hate to disappoint people. It felt like I had studied so hard to become a teacher, I had learned so much in my almost 10 years at my first career, I had fought really hard to achieve the roles in the schools I had worked at and I was willing to throw it all away for a dream.
I felt careless.
So, this post is an encouragement to anyone out there who is in that weird middle phase of deciding what to do next. To anyone who thinks that they are outgrowing something and need to take a giant leap of faith but is scared shitless to do it. For anyone who wishes that they had the guts to make a change in their life, but isn't sure if the sacrifice is worth it.
It will happen when it's time and you won't feel ready. But it will be wonderful, I promise.
On a podcast that I LOVE called "Second Life" with Hillary Kerr of My Domaine, I recently heard Jen Gotch (founder of Ban.do) speak about how she just always kept following the one thing that made sense and that she was not sure if it would work out. I guess that's what happened and why Art by Megan exists as it does today.
I couldn't stop painting. I couldn't put it aside. I couldn't stop dreaming of it happening "someday".
So, cheers to the dreamers out there. Just keep dreaming and fighting and letting the crazy universe steer you towards what you love. It will be painful and difficult and beautiful and wild. Hold on tight.
"Gray Sea" 8x10 print.
xoxo,
M
Art by Megan "Montauk" print, printed by Canvas Pop.
I love working with Canvas Pop when creating canvas prints for my clients and for my shop. The prints are always high quality, professional, and well made plus wired and ready-to-hang! I love the options available at Canvas Pop in their online shop and we even have used them to create beautiful gifts for friends and family's gifts.
In honor of Father's Day coming up, I wanted to share a discount code that might make giving Dad or Grandpa or someone special a gift extra easy. This weekend, use code MEMORIAL50 for 50% off a print!
Check out my favorite canvas prints from our recent collaboration!
Look how easy it is to unwrap and hang your canvas print from Canvas Pop!
My favorite corner of my studio. :)
Have a great long weekend and happy shopping, friends!
xo
Megan
I am a "lifelong learner" as they say and cannot get enough information, inspiration and ideas from all over the place. So, one of my favorite places to get amazing inspiration recently is through podcasts. I often listen to them while I paint at the studio, but also love them at home while my little one does homework or while we hang out in the evenings. It's an easy way to engage my brain without total visual distraction. So, here is a list of my favorites!
photo by Amy Frances Photo.
Best podcast for kids:
Wow in the World. This podcast is GENIUS. It explores fun scientific concepts and is super silly and fun. My 1st grader is OBSESSED and we have learned some awesome new trivia and science facts from just listening to it together on weekend mornings or in the evening as a "bedtime story". Mindy and Guy Raz (of How I Built This Podcast on NPR...another absolute favorite!) are hilarious for both adults and kids, so I highly recommend you give it a listen!
Best podcast for female run businesses:
Second Life by My Domaine and Hillary Kerr. I LOVE this podcast and am so thankful that I discovered it recently for my long drives for work events. I found the questions and inspiration of women who own businesses after pivoting from other areas of expertise and other jobs so interesting. The host, Hillary Kerr, does a great job asking probing, important questions to the guests and I just can't wait for the next episode to air!
Best podcast for artists and inspiration:
I could go on and on about my favorite art podcast and most of you have probably heard or seen me gushing about it on instagram, but that won't stop me from sharing it again. Listen to Danielle Krysa on The Jealous Curator's Podcast called Art for Your Ear. I love hearing the stories of artists who have chosen to follow their passion, what they were like as little artists and how they got to where they are today. It's so intriguing and really a great way to stay inspired in the studio as I paint.
Best ridiculous and funny podcast:
My Favorite Murder is a new one that I have gotten hooked to. You definitely have to be in the right mood to listen to it, but the satire and general ridiculousness of it all is so fun and funny. Try it out if you like making fun of the news, people in general or if you need a good snort-laugh.
Some of my future podcasts are within these curated lists, so take a look at these lists!
This coming Friday, May 11, I will be having the first solo show (at Captain's Daughters in Provincetown, MA) during my 3 years of "official" business as Art by Megan. While I have been SO busy (and under the weather recently due to family expansion!), I kind of forgot until today to celebrate this big (HUGE!) step.
So, I want to celebrate by taking a little trip down memory lane, Art by Megan-style.
Sometimes I completely forget that ONLY 3 years ago this past weekend, we moved to NYC and started almost completely over in a new city with just a few friends and 2 brand new careers. It was exhausting and overwhelming and terrifying and completely amazing all in one breath.
After some time spent unpacking, setting up a new tiny home, learning how to do things the "Brooklyn way" and teaching my little one some important life lessons like how to ride the subway and how to ride a scooter to school, I began to work full-time as an artist and small business owner in the fall of 2015. I worked from the "Teeny Tiny Studio" aka the spare bedroom (aka the walk in closet in any other state) in our first apartment.
It was my dream come true.
I had dreamed of having a space to call my own as an artist for my entire life and this felt like the "big leagues" or at least my childhood fantasy coming true and I was so pumped. A few months later, I was picking up a package from the UPS guy at our front door while covered in paint and he asked what I did for a living. I said, confidently and maybe for the first time ever, "I am an artist" and he replied "wow, I have never met a real artist".
I started to notice that I was saying to people I met, "I am an artist". It felt amazing and surreal.
The "Teeny Tiny Studio" - photo by Amy Frances Photography
Time passed and selling occasional paintings became less infrequent, but each time I get an order for a print, small painting or large commission, I giggle.
I always tell my family, "oh my gosh guess what? I sold a painting!" when it happens and the "honeymoon phase" hasn't worn off yet. I sincerely hope it never does.
Then, in March of 2017, I found my first studio outside of our home. I was quickly outgrowing the "teeny tiny studio" and finding that paintings were always on the kitchen table, drying in the hallway, being photographed above our bed and our space for family was getting a little crazy. So, I took a big financial and business risk and put the down payment on my first studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn in an old warehouse on a crazy street. I loved it so much. I will never forget the feeling of stepping into that empty room and thinking "oh man, this is just so cool."
I cried that day, happy tears.
My Gowanus, Brooklyn Studio, 2017 // Here's an awesome feature on our studio with photos by Amy Frances Photography and featured on Household Mag's Blog.
This past February (2018), I moved in with 2 of my favorite business owners ever (Whitney of We Gather and Betsy of Sylvan Park) to our new space at Industry City in Brooklyn, NY. Industry City is like a magical-google-campus-vibe for creatives and innovators in Brooklyn. When I step foot into our studio each time I go to work in the morning, I sigh and think or usually say out loud, "dang this is a cool spot".
My "roomates" often hear me say it and we all giggle or agree.
As an impatient person with a fierce streak of overachiever, I often forget to take a deep breath and let it all sink in. But, I am making a sincere effort to do so as I get older and, dare I say, a little bit wiser.
So, this post is really just a little reminder to myself and to all of you who support me that I am VERY thankful:
Thank you and cheers to celebrating the little victories!
Megan
I did a little thing and made some iphone backdrops for my friends! Feel free to download these and use them on your desktop or iphone (or whatever kind of phone) and enjoy a splash of color and messy paint from your favorite artist!
Have a great day and remember that the beauty is in the mess.
xo
Megan
image by my friend Kate Alison Photography
Women have not always been celebrated for running businesses. Until NOW! And it's really just so exciting and wonderful!!
It has taken MANY years for women to strike out and take on their passions as confidently as they are currently in 2018. There has been an incredible amount of fighting, pushing, defying the odds, and proving people wrong behind every single women-run business that you know about and many others out there. Women have been running the show, per se, for centuries, but have not been receiving the accolades or recognition for it until recently.
Also, I have a challenge for you. This month, when you spend money, think about the business you are supporting. Think about reframing your spending so that you can support a small business owner instead. And try your hardest to make it a female-owned business. It's important.
Here's why...When you support Art by Megan, aka me, you are fueling a dream.
You might think I am referring solely to MY dream, but it is also that of a little girl who is watching alongside, being pulled to coffee dates with fellow entrepreneurs, being taken to galleries to meet owners, being asked to quietly sit through meetings with new contacts and shops, and watching my every move as this business grows. Supporting Art by Megan means that you are fueling a future dream of a girl who now might be closer to thinking that she can be anything she wants to be. You are supporting a little one who was told at the playground the other day that "Girls can't do that." and who, without any prompting, told the boy, with her hands on her hips, "You are wrong".
So, please, shop small and shop female-owned this month, and every month.
image of my painting by Kate Alison Photo.
A Women's History Month Reading List:
"Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead," by Sheryl Sandberg...because Sheryl Sandberg.
"Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom and Wonder," by Arianna Huffington. Learning from one of the most impressive women entrepreneurs is the best way to go about this journey. Also, learning that not merely surviving, but thriving is an important part of running a small-business.
"You are a Bad Ass" by Jen Sincero. Because you are. And it's important to say it. Repeat as necessary.
Other resources to check out:
Art by Megan Beaches 2018 Calendars are here!
I worked extra hard (read: since the summer!) this year to create a line of special, limited edition products for the Holidays for you all!
For this collection, I chose to focus on 2 things: high-quality craftsmanship and partnering with small businesses for printing and with companies that give back, like Shop Denik, whose proceeds go towards Pencils of Promise.
The Little Artist sketchbook sets + colored pencils feature notebooks by Shop Denik, who donates a portion of their proceeds to my favorite charity, Pencils of Promise. I hope a little artist in your life is able to enjoy this gift!
The notecards are size A2 with pure white envelopes and feature 4 of the favorite iconic Art by Megan oceans on them. A set of 8 cards comes with 2 cards of each ocean. I love them!
A Bit of Charleston and I created limited edition prints of our favorite scenes from Charleston for this year's holiday print collection. All prints are on heavy white paper with archival inks and are 8x10.
As always, thank you guys so much for your love and support!
xo
Megan
Art by Megan X Pencils of Promise
In October, I was given the amazing honor of painting a HUGE mural at the Pencils of Promise Headquarters in Manhattan, NYC. I have been a huge fan of this awesome charity for some time now and wanted to give back this year in my business in a BIG WAY, so this mural seemed like the perfect opportunity.
What I love most about Pencils of Promise is their dedication to not only building schools in Guatemala, Laos, and Ghana, but their Promise to sustain the program forever. They spend a lot of time planning their schools, making site visits and working with the local communities to ensure that the planned school will benefit the community and work well over time. I love their approach, mission, and amazing work.
Here is a sneak peek at the mural's progress. I hope that many people at this wonderful organization can enjoy this artwork for years to come!
To read more about their work around the world, head over to www.pencilsofpromise.org or read "The Promise of a Pencil" by founder Adam Braun.
My favorite 8x10 floral and beach prints are back in stock. Click here to see what's back!
A few of my favorites are below, take a look!!
As an artist, I often get asked by other creatives what my favorite painting supplies are, so today I am sharing a little list to help you get started on painting your own abstract wonders!
"Autumn Sky", acrylic on canvas by Megan Elizabeth of Art by Megan.
(photo by Kate Alison Photography)
Here's my list of favorite art supplies for painting in acrylics:
1. Paint: My favorite kind of paint and the best quality out there is Golden. The investment is WORTH IT! If you are just painting for fun, I recommend starting with a student brand paint, like the Basics line available through Liquitex.
2. Art Supply Stores: My favorite art supply stores are Artist and Craftsman and Blick online. Both have AMAZING deals and I usually shop when there are great discounts to help save some money. Also, I secretly love trolling the aisles of A&C and just touching and smelling all of the art supplies. :)
3. Brushes: I paint with Acrylic paints and I love to use a variety of brushes for my work. This choice is completely based on preference. I prefer to use flat brushes with strong bristles, as I apply the paints in a thicker, more "impasto" manner most of the time. I like to use both synthetic and natural haired brushes, but I can offer the suggestion that it is worth pulling on the fibers a bit at the store to see if hairs fall off. I HATE when there are rogue hairs in my paintings after the fact. Insider secret: Ikea's kid department has AWESOME brushes.
4. Canvas vs. Paper vs. Birch Board: This age-old debate (Actually, I guess the oldest debate was just stone, but I digress) is really 100% based on textural preference. Most artists are really tactile people, so we all have our crazy idiosyncrasies based on them. I am a canvas and paper girl for no other reason than just because "I like them"!
5. Oil vs. Watercolor vs. Acrylic: Again, this choice is totally personality-based. I LOVE acrylics because they literally match my personality. I am quick, cheerful, bright, and stubborn. We work well together. Oil painting requires a bit more technique and ventilation as well as A LOT of patience (which is not my area of expertise!). Watercolors are free-flowing and require a bit more control, but are LOTs of fun. So, basically, just start experimenting and see what you enjoy the most.
photo for The Rising Tide Society by Lauren Carnes and styled by Cake and Confetti.
6. Water Jars: This is a relatively important issue. It seems like any cup or jar will do, but that's just not the case. (I know, it seems like I am taking this WAY too seriously!) Talenti gelato jars are literally the best because they are broad on the bottom and balance when full of heavy brushes. Also, Mason Jars are perfect and come in both the short and tall varieties, which help with balancing really tall brushes. The idea here is to pick a water jar that will not fall over and spill, which happens quite often if they are full of dirty brushes.
As a mom, small business owner, volunteer leader of a group of growing creatives (TuesdaysTogether NYC) and contractor for an amazing start-up in San Francisco, streamlining, efficiency, and organization are really vital aspects of running a relatively stress-free life. I have discovered a few apps and programs along the way that have completely saved me and I wanted to share them with you today!
photo by Laura and Rachel Hernandez from the Rising Tide Society Leaders' Retreat in January 2017 at Honeybook's HQ in San Francisco, CA.
Planoly has completely changed the way I see and use my social media. I have become more cohesive in my messaging to my followers, my feed is more organized, and I can think clearly about what my weekly work will look like in advance, which is so helpful as a mom. They are a lovely company and their customer service is LEGIT. Go check them out.
As a contractor for Honeybook, I am continuously amazed at the high quality of service that this workflow tool for creatives offers to their incredible and growing community. When I began using Honeybook, it seemed too good to be true to have invoicing, contracts, billing, taxes and financial tools all integrated into one software that was attractive, customizable and easy to use. And when I say user-friendly, I mean it. It's intuitive and so streamlined and simplified. I love it!
I can honestly tell you that what I love most about my website is removing the guess-work in building my site. I have such a limited time as a one-woman-business-owner and I want to be able to capitalize on my work as an artist when I can. So, using the clean, well-designed templates that Squarespace has to offer has saved me time, frustration, and has given me the freedom to focus on other parts of my business as it grows.
I have learned so much about finances and managing money from running my business and it's all thanks to Stephanie at Steadfast Bookkeeping and Quickbooks. I was originally very hesitant to master the money management aspect of my business, but I am thankful for this intuitive and user-friendly tool that syncs with my Workflow Tool to simplify my finances and help me to budget for future years of Art by Megan.
I have recently implemented using calendar appointments into my business in order to streamline my Admin days and allow for complete days of creativity in my studio. If I can schedule 5-10 calls on a Monday, I know that the rest of the week I can remove the distraction of admin tasks and to-do lists and create, paint and experiment. Freeing up my mental space for creative moments has been a HUGE lifesaver, and I am thankful for the email integration that Calendly offers.
Let me know in the comments below what tools you use to help streamline your life and business! I am always on the hunt for something to give me more free-time with my loved ones or to paint, paint, paint. Really, I just want a clone of myself so that I can paint all-day and she can run the business. Is there an app for that?
xoxo
M
