If you have been meaning to learn something new and fun, look no further, I have an awesome idea for you!  Coming on June 12, I will have an online acrylic painting course available with Brit + Co.  Brit + Co offers a variety of classes for people seeking to learn a new artistic skill and I am so excited that we were able to work together on my "Abstract Oceans" painting class.  

To register - click here!  

When you sign up, you will receive all sorts of goodies, including a supply list with shop-able links so that you can prep for your class at home!  It's so much fun to work on learning something new in the comfort of your own home, backyard or with a few friends sipping rosé.  

To read more online from Brit + Co, check out their blog, videos, fashion tips and classes here.  

Also, be sure to follow along on Instagram @britandco.  

Pictured here are my students from the class.  They are not professional painters (although one of them confessed afterwards to attending art school! There's always a ringer!) and we had the best time working together to create their ocean paintings.  All levels of artistic talent are able to complete this course and the skills are broken down into easy steps for all ages.  The best part about online learning is that you can pause your class at any point to catch up or grab a snack or just take a few deep breaths.  It's totally at your own pace! 

I hope you will join me online be sure to share with friends and family who might be interested in learning how to paint something new.  Note: This class makes a great gift for someone who loves art, wants to learn more about painting or loves the breach.  It would make the perfect graduation gift for a budding artist in your life, too!  

Happy painting, 

xo 

Megan 

In an effort to share the work of more women artists in the world, I am sharing my favorites today. I am totally inspired by my new instagram favorite called @artgirlrising, which aims to share notable women in the arts so that people can name more than 5 of their favorite women artists in conversation. (More than just Frida, O'Keefe, and Helen Frankenthaler.) 

For more amazing t-shirts celebrating women in the arts that you MUST KNOW.  Click here.  

Carmen Herrera from Art News.

Carmen Herrera is one of my favorites!  I love her late bloomer story and how she has dilligently worked at her simplistic and relaxing painting over the years.  Also, she is Cuban so obviously I love her.  Her famous quote "don't be intimidated about anything" is one of my favorites to remember and repeat.  Also, her first show made me cry at the Whitney Museum of art.  And she had to wait until she was 100 years old to get it.  So, keep painting if you are doubting yourself.  Also, watch this Netflix documentary.  

Amy Sherald.  If you haven't heard about Amy Sherald, you have been living under a proverbial rock.  She is the recently super famous artist who was commissioned by former First Lady Michelle Obama to paint her portrait.  Her work is fresh and breathtaking and unique and I LOVE HER.  Listen to her interview with The Jealous Curator on her podcast "Art for your Ear" here.  

One of my favorite Joan Mitchell paintings.  

Joan Mitchell.  If you love abstract expressionism (think DeKooning or Pollack), then you love Mitchell.  I love her work because it is full of movement and feeling and strong emotion. Also, she loves the color blue and for that reason alone I cannot stop staring at her work.  I love you Joan.  

Eva Mendieta.  If you like performance art and crazy expression, then Eva is your lady.  She is wonderfully different and refreshing and totally bonkers.  You need to check her out and immerse yourself in her breathtaking work.  

Yayoi Kasuma is such a badass and has totally embraced our culture of "selfie" obsession. Check out her work, lest you dare braving the selfie obsessed millennials in line.  Her sculptures are conceptual, interesting and full of dizzying movement and space.  I love her fashion as well, she really matches her work so nicely.  

Mary Cassatt.  I love a gangster lady who fights her way into the circles of tradition and men.  One such lady is Mary Cassatt, who is a famous impressionist and who didn't let the world of art saturated by men of her time overwhelm her.  She explores the role of mother daughter relationships in her beautiful paintings and you should read more about her here and here.  

Louise Nevelson.  Nevelson's work is full of structure, movement and shape.  Her sculptures are famous for being collections of objects that are painted in monochrome colors.  I love the found-art movement and I love her unique work.  Plus, she is rumored for being a total ball-buster, which is pretty awesome, too.  

Lee Krasner.  You might recognize her name from her famous husband, (Jackson Pollack) but Lee Krasner's work speaks for itself.  Her wild abstracts, part of the abstract expressionism movement, are both joyful and passionate, angry and untamed.  Read more about her here.  

Faith Ringgold.  Best known for her writing and narrative quilts, Faith Rinngold's work is beautiful and tells such amazing stories.  Her work is highly influential in the civil rights movement and fight for equality among African Americans. Additionally, she fought for collaboration, storytelling and celebrating tradition in her work.  I LOVE HER WORK!  

Beatriz Milhazes. This Brazilian artist paints in such a colorful, lively and beautiful palette and I cannot get enough of her work.  Her work is compared to a kaleidoscope of color, which i just adore.  You cannot stop looking at her paintings in real life and they really engage the viewer.  Check her out!  

Painting by Beatriz Milhazes.  

More reading on notable women artists you NEED TO KNOW ABOUT (Dang it!):

Check out my pinterest board all about women in the arts.  

Artsy. 

MoMA show about women artists.  

National Museum of Women in the Arts.  

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! 

Levo League's 10 best Podcasts for Women

 Buzz Feed's 13 Podcasts by Women you should know about

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:

• I am thankful for the friends I have made while growing this business.  
• I am thankful for the clients who support me by purchasing artwork and prints. 
• I am thankful for the tough lessons I have learned while building a business from scratch in a crazy new city.  
• I am thankful for the community of creatives that I helped to build in Brooklyn and who I now consider my dearest friends. (Tuesdays Together NYC) 
• I am thankful for this chance to push myself and learn so much.
• I am thankful for a husband who agreed it was time to jump into a crazy new adventure together.
• I am thankful for 3 years that have felt like both the fastest and longest years of my life!  

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 

blue iphone background

messy pink paint palette

neutral paint palette background

image by my friend Kate Alison Photography 

Happy Women's History Month!  

As a female small business owner, I take supporting small businesses run by women VERY seriously. The reasons are many, but it's also a rather simple concept.  

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. 

As a way to celebrate, I would like to take some time this month on the blog to share a few of my favorite female-run businesses featuring artists and makers + some of my favorite books to read to celebrate Women's History Month! 

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". 

• You are supporting every young lady and future entrepreneur that I try to involve in the behind-the-scenes of my business. 
• You are supporting my college interns who are seeing first hand that you can do both motherhood and business.  
• You are supporting the women that I choose to collaborate and work with, who are also following their dreams of supporting themselves and their families by running a small business. 
• You are supporting the women around the world who dare to strike out on their own and run something, against the odds.  

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: 

1. First up, read "In the Company of Women" by Grace Bonney.  Then, research all of the people in the book and follow their amazing stories online and support their businesses. 
2. Then read, "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert and fall in love with being creative all over again.  And celebrate the magic in following a dream, even when there are roadblocks and challenges on the horizon.  

3. "Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead," by Sheryl Sandberg...because Sheryl Sandberg.

4. "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.  

5. "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: 

1. "Female Founder Business Books": https://www.fundera.com/blog/female-founder-business-books
2. Small Businesses to support: (Forbes) https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruthieackerman/2017/11/23/seven-women-owned-businesses-to-support-on-small-business-saturday/#3a706024155d
3. Fastest Growing Women Owned Businesses (Forbes): https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2017/06/05/the-fastest-growing-women-owned-businesses-for-2017/#45a19599695e
4. How to support women-owned businesses: https://www.fundera.com/blog/support-women-led-businesses
5. "The 9 books every female entrepreneur should read": https://www.inc.com/melanie-deziel/the-9-books-every-female-entrepreneur-should-read.html

I have been using Lara Casey's Powersheets for 2018 and I have been amazed.  One of the hardest challenges for me in this goal-setting workbook and planner has been pondering and deciding upon a "word of the year".  Its hard for me to set concrete goals for myself, hold myself accountable, not to overcommit, and to think long-term about myself and my business. So, I have been racking my brain for what I really need to focus on.  And it has finally popped into my head!!! 

For the word of the year this year, I have chosen one that makes me really happy but also kind of want to cringe a little bit. 

Want to hear the word?

It's Megan.  (Note: You can feel free to choose this word, or replace it with your own, too.  Especially if you are a person who needs to finally put yourself in the picture without abandon.)

photo by Me. 

A little story...

One of my best friends in Brooklyn is a "mom-bestie" from Ireland.  She is hilariously funny, hates drinking tea (omg! is that even possible!?) and doesn't drink coffee (i don't honestly know how we are even friends, really!) but makes up for it in amazing company, jokes and her love of red wine (see, I told you, we are soul mates!).  Well anyways, my new friend told me something so wise once when I was frazzled and overwhelmed with life and art career and motherhood and all of the rest.  I was battling how to say yes to everything and how to "balance it all", which, if you read this blog, you know I hop on my soapbox about from time to time.  (Check it out here on Creative Empire Podcast to hear about it!) 

She said, so simply, "Just tell them, it doesn't suit".   

And then she smiled at me like she had just shared the biggest secret to life of all.  I was floored.  I could just tell people "It doesn't suit" and not feel badly about it afterwards?  Wouldn't they need answers or excuses or reasons as to why it doesn't suit?  Come on, Sinead, I thought to myself.  Then, I started to think about it.  We don't have a nice equivalent to "it doesn't suit" in American English.  We say "I am sorry" or "I can't", but we don't say "it doesn't work..." as often.  I love this phrase!  It takes the situation to the 3rd person and no one gets their feelings hurt.  THIS IS HUGE! 

So, anyways.  Cheers to 2018.  I am choosing priorities and if I start to say "it doesn't suit" with a tiny Irish accent more often, you know who to blame.  

I am choosing to prioritize myself this year.  It's time.  I hope you will choose the same.  Life is short and there's no time for second-guessing or doubting our intuitions.  Radical thought: it might just change the world if we all start saying yes to amazing things, "No" to the things that don't suit, and helping other's with all of the leftover energy we have!  

Also, listen to this song by Marc Anthony or my favorite by Celia Cruz if you need help.  

I love reading "Year in Review" posts on the internet because I love seeing people doing what they love and kicking creative tush.  So, here's mine at Art by Megan!  I couldn't have done any of this without my amazing family, friends and clients, so thank you if you are reading this for being part of a wonderful year at Art by Megan! 

Me and my friend Marina of The Warner Firm started the year with a bang + a photo shoot! Amazing photo by our friend Chi-Chi of ChiChiAri.

January 2017: January brought new ideas and collaboration opportunities, like the one pictured above.  My friend Danielle of Beyond Bklyn pitched the idea of a photoshoot with art and fashion and we decided it was a MUST DO!  We worked with some of our favorite creatives in NYC and from our group called TuesdaysTogether NYC, which is part of The Rising Tide Society to pull off a full fashion shoot featuring my paintings.  It was so much fun working with our amazing photographers Kate of Kate Alison Photography and Chi-Chi of Chi Chi Ari.  

February 2017: In February, I was able to help host a pop-up at West Elm in Manhattan for some of my favorite creative ladies in the city!  It was so much fun and we loved being set-up in the beautiful store for the day.  Thanks to West Elm for supporting artists and small business owners!

Also, in February I hosted a little art show at the adorable coffee shop in Brooklyn called The Coop and the best part of it was that friends came all the way from Maryland to the opening to support me!  It was so kind of them to visit and I will never forget how generous that was - thank you Madison, Olivia and Alison.  

March 2017: A New Studio! This was a BIG step for me as it was my first studio outside of my home.  It was a SCARY financial leap as a small business owner, but I felt like it was time.  As with most scary decisions, it was one of the best things I have ever done for my business.  

April 2017: I traveled to San Francisco to participate in the RISE summit, an online summit with the goal of raising money to build a school with a partnership created with Pencils of Promise.  We FAR surpassed our financial goal, heard amazing business advice from some of the top names in the creative and social media industries, and I was able to reunite with some of my favorite people who I worked with online.  It was a really wonderful time and I am so thankful for the friendships made through this awesome work with The Rising Tide Society and Honeybook.  

Also in April, I unofficially started a mastermind with two of my favorite business owners out there.  Meredith of Cake and Confetti and Brittany of Brittany Collier Studios are awesome business women, excellent advisors, and trusted opinion-givers.  I truly value not only their hilarious jokes and our running banter, but our friendship that has developed as women "solo-preneurs" supporting one another as we grow our businesses.  If you are a creative business owner reading this, I STRONGLY urge you to find people who you admire and then ask them to be in a mastermind together.  We put one another in the "hot seat" during our "1 hour" (aka 2.5 hour) calls, tell one another the brutal truth, challenge one another's ideas, and we sometimes do happy dances and or burst into tears, depending on the season.  Love you, Mastermind ladies.  

May 2017: I found my first REAL LIFE INTERN!  If you follow me on social media, you know that I loved having Kara join my studio for a month in the spring and we both learned so much and had SO MUCH FUN!  It was so productive and it was amazing to have another person there to bounce business, life and creative ideas off of.  I love you Kara and come back immediately.  We found one another through a feature that Create Mag did about Art by Megan, so THANK YOU a million times over to Create Mag!! 

June 2017:  At the beginning of the month I began painting in FULL-FORCE!  The traveling we were able to do in May as a family totally inspired me to paint and my brain goes full-speed ocean mode once summer hits.  I was completely covered in paint every single day, ruined all of my clothes, and I was as happy as a pig in mud.  And then, my little tiny intern returned for the summer! 

End of June: I took some much needed time to just be mama.  We went to the beach as much as possible, collected a million seashells and painted on the beach.  It was wonderful to get some time with my little girl and to decompress after a crazy, busy spring! 

July 2017: In July there were a lot of beach trips with my little lady, lots of ice cream, family fun and adventures - and SO MUCH BLUE PAINT! 

Also, I worked on some amazing commissions for private clients and some wondreful interior designers and really got to push myself creatively!  I love working on commissions, so if you are ready for one, I am your girl! (sign up here - shameless promotion).  

August 2017: We started a podcast!  My studio-mate Amy, of Amy Frances Photography and I decided that our studio conversations were just ridiculous and random enough that it might make a good podcast.  So, our little dynamic duo of studio mates decided to hit the waves of podcast land and never look back.  IT IS SO FUN!  We have delved into some of the hottest topics within our industries including Plagiarism, Mentorships, Inspiration, and Comparison. We have also had some of the most kick ass contestants, or guests, or whatever you call them on our show, including our good friend Whitney of We Gather.  It's a great creative outlet and I am thankful that Amy ordered that darn microphone on Amazon one day while I was painting and forced me (sorta) into it! 

Also in August I was able to re-enter the classroom as a visiting artist at KIPP, an incredible high school in the Bronx with equally incredible and talented art students.  We discussed art, life, finances, planning for college, living the "Dream" as an artist, having a day job, and taking the plunge towards following your heart in life.  It was a truly great experience and I LOVED being able to visit thanks to my friends at NYC-based Stationery company Pineapple Street Designs, who are both teachers at the school.  

September 2017: I began teaching painting courses at Maman, a stylish-instagram paradise in Tribeca, NYC.  I love teaching and was so thankful for the chance to get back into the teaching groove thanks to the events and workshops program at Maman.  Also, they serve NUTELLA brownies during class, there is ROSÉ and it's so fun to watch my new students enjoy themselves doing something new and fun to them.  I always leave my classes with a smile on my face, even if I am carrying all of my supplies for class in 3 bags on the train and getting looks from fellow passengers.  

photo by my friend Shaunae of Shaunae Teske Photography.  

October 2017: I painted a mural!  One of my lifelong goals as an artist has been to take the BIG plunge and to paint a huge ocean mural.  Thanks to a wonderful friend at Pencils of Promise in NYC, I was able to make this dream come true.  It was so awesome working at such a large scale and I cannot wait for the next opportunity to paint a mural.  

Also in October, I had my first HUGE release day of 25+ new ocean paintings on canvas.  It was SO MUCH WORK to prepare that many paintings and do all of the behind-the-scenes, website updating, and social media marketing but it was so wonderful to see all of that hard work get so much love from my audience.  Thank you guys for the support! 

November 2017: I had pop-ups at 2 of my favorite locations ever!  My first holiday pop-up took place at Oliver Dunn, a charming and gorgeous shop in Georgetown, DC.  I wanted to not only buy every single thing in the store, but also move in.  If you find yourself in DC, go check it out! 

Also, I took a trip down to Charleston, SC to have a pop-up at Indigo Market!  The shop is just perfection, the owners are the most adorable ever, and the opening was AMAZING!  It was really an incredible night full of laughs, new friends and surreal connections.  I love Charleston so much and got to see some great friends like my buddies at Mac + Murphy, Liz and Lacey! 

December 2017: December way crazy, busy and wonderful!  I had a group show with some super cool NJ and NY artists at Main Street Gallery in Manasquan (Jersey Shore), NJ.  It was a beautiful night and lots of fun to mingle with, meet and get to know other artists in the area.  

Thanks to an amazing friend from grad school a million years ago, I was able to attend Art Basel Miami as a guest.  It was so amazing to get to meet curators, artists and galleries from all over the world at this INCREDIBLE event.  I am still reeling in how insane the experience was and promise to dedicate an entire blog post to it eventually. 

Also in December, I launched new products that I had worked on for months with my favorite printers!  I released new notecard sets, a 2018 Calendar of Art by Megan beaches and hand-painted ornaments.  I love having holiday goodies available for my clients! 

photo by the awesome Kate of Kate Alison Photo.  

So thank you all once again for supporting Art by Megan!  Not a day goes by where I don't feel lucky to have such an amazing community of supporters. 

Happy 2018 + I cannot wait to see what this year brings!  

photo by my adorable friend Peace Ofure.

Hey hey!  I am celebrating 2018 by deciding what sizes & designs of my print collection to feature this year.

But first, a BIG PRINT SALE!  All of the 2017 prints sized 8x10 are currently $10 off! Get one while they last.  Click here to go shopping!  Prices as marked, no code necessary.

CHARLESTON PRINTS: Be sure to check out the Charleston Print Collection as well, these are super cute! 

NEW SIZES: Also, exciting new sizes and variations are available in 11x14, 18x24 and 30x40.  

THE DETAILS: All prints come signed by ME, are hand-inspected for quality, and are either mailed in a plastic sleeve with cardboard backer (8x10 and 11x14) or in a protective roll (larger sizes) and ready to frame! 

2018 is here!  

So, it's that time of year again and everyone is telling themselves that they will be "better" and eat right and be smarter and stronger and more awesome in 2018.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love crushing goals as much as the next lady, but...I HATE New Year's Resolutions. 

Reasons I might be right about Resolutions: 

1.  WINTER: Winter is a bad time to start fresh.  It's a better time for snuggling and sipping hot chocolate and watching movies.  Or doing good deeds for others.  Or making cookies.  Or doing something to stay warm.  Or traveling to a hot beach destination.  

2. TINY GOALS: It's better in my opinion to just set tiny goals and work towards them.  The end.

3. START WHENEVER YOU WANT: If you want to change something - your health, your appearance, your life, your body, your marriage, your relationships, your parenting style - YOU CAN START ON ANY DANG DAY OF THE WEEK AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.  The issue is that you have to WANT to do it.

4.  PAJAMAS: Most people are laying on their couch in their pjs on January 1.  (hand raises) THAT'S NOT A GOOD DAY TO PLACE ENORMOUS PRESSURE ON YOURSELF AND MAKE ALL THE RULES CHANGE.  

5. REFLECTION and INTROSPECTION ARE COOL: If you want to change something, do it. If you need to change, do it. BUT, there are some of you out there who are doing great things with your lives.  CELEBRATE THE AWESOME STUFF THAT IS ALREADY HAPPENING!!!!! 

ok, I am done shouting for now.  but really, please stop and think about this a little bit...

Here are some things that are fun to do instead of traditional New Year's Resolutions: 

1. hug your family - repeat daily or hourly if they will let you 
2. write down a list of as many reasons you are happy as you can - tape that list somewhere important and smile when you read it.  
3. write down a list of funny things and call a friend and read it to them over the phone. 
4. have pizza with friends and laugh until you pee your pants - repeat monthly 
5. go for a walk or run or to a yoga class - repeat as necessary 
6. ask for help on something that you have been meaning to do 
7. figure out something that is difficult for you and then eat a cookie 
8. make a delicious smoothie - repeat weekly 
9. call a friend you miss - repeat weekly 
10. write a thank you note to a bunch of people who you appreciate - repeat monthly 
11. tell a stranger that you think they look nice but don't be a creep 
12. do a random act of kindness and don't tell anyone about it 
13. buy coffee for a stressed out mom in line at the coffee shop
14. carry an old lady's groceries and ask her questions 
15. do a puzzle and sip wine 
16. help your kid build legos until your legs fall asleep from sitting "criss cross apple sauce" 
17. go to the gym and watch law and order while your husband makes dinner 
18. schedule a vacation or day trip or staycation 
19. clean out your fridge or cabinets and take photos of it and then send them to your mom
20. get rid of old socks.

Mixbook Thank you Cards + my messy palette :) 

Happy 2018!! 

love, 

Megan 

Recently, I was lucky enough to meet the awesome people at Mixbook at the Brit and Co. #CreateGood event in Manhattan.  I loved their product and the quality of their paper, but more importantly, I loved meeting people who are doing good in the world and working to help small businesses succeed.

So, a month ago, I began working on an awesome collaboration with Mixbook to create unique holiday cards for our family and for my business as well.  I am so in love with how they turned out and wanted to share them with you today! 

photo of me in my studio by Amy Frances Photo, printed on cards by Mixbook.  

For Art by Megan, I was able to create beautiful "thank you" notes for my clients and holiday orders with a beautiful white hand-lettering overlay and photos to create a fun year-in-review look.  I chose to print on their 5x5 Cotton Texture Flat Card and I am so impressed by the quality and texture.  Fellow paper snobs, rejoice!  

Happy Holidays, from the Art by Megan crew!  

For our family's holiday card, I was able to create a beautiful glitter frame in rose gold with some of our favorite family travel photos from this year!  I chose the 5x7 Landscape Signature Matte Flat Card and I love the matching white envelopes for a clean, crisp and elegant look! 

Check out Mixbook and their awesome product!  Tell them your favorite artist sent you :).  

** A little bit about sponsored posts on Art by Megan.  As my brand continues to grow, I promise to always support companies who I believe in, who do good work in the world by making a positive impact, and who create products that I both use and believe in.  Thank you to Mixbook for your support of Art by Megan!** 

image courtesy of Hannah Lane Photography.  

I have had such an amazing list of commission clients this past year and cannot wait to see what is on the horizon (painting joke).  If you have been eyeing a painting for a while and are ready to take the plunge (another ocean painting joke), it's time! 

I would be honored to work together.

For 2018, I will be completing 12 commissions, one for each month.  I like to take it slow with commissions so that I am able to really deliver a dreamy product to my clients.

To sign up for a spot, click this link and we can schedule a time to chat more about it.

Here are some of my favorites from 2017.  Happy Friday, friends!! 

Abby Grace Photography with her new painting "Dawn", 30x40, acrylic on canvas.  

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.  

When I read about their "100% SUCCESS RATE", I was hooked.  They state on their website, "We don’t just build a school and move on, we monitor and evaluate every project we undertake. Thus far, every school we’ve opened is fully operational and educating students daily."

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.  

The design of this AirBnB was PERFECT for a weekend away! 

Last weekend, a group of creative friends from TuesdaysTogether NYC gathered for a mastermind weekend retreat in the Catskills at the cutest Airbnb ever!  I am so grateful for the time spent brainstorming, dreaming big and dealing with the deep, challenging issues faced by "one-woman-operation" small business owners.  I admire the women who attended so much and really value their expertise, but more importantly, I am grateful for their friendship in a crazy new city that feels like home now thanks to so many of the friends I have been lucky to make thanks to this group.

Here are a few photos from our adventures in the mountains thanks to our very own Chi-Chi Agbim of Chi-Chi Ari.  Her photos are always just amazing! 

Seriously though, this HOUSE!  Go look up 66 Fuller House on AirBnb.  

To check out these amazing business ladies, click through to the following links: 

1. Stem & Bloom - NYC based floral subscription service.   
2. Bayith - Handmade Linens for Weddings & Home.  
3. The Warner Firm - Attorney and Legal Services for Creatives and Entrepreneurs.
4. Beyond Brooklyn - Online Boutique with the mission of providing jobs to the Homeless in NYC. 
5. Fitting Fetes - An event design and planning company specializing in intimate gatherings. 
6. Color Pop Events - A New York City-based full-service event & wedding planning company specializing in vibrant, charming, & bold events.
7. Amanda Michele Art - Brooklyn based watercolor and mixed media artist.  
8. Chi Chi Ari - NYC based editorial, wedding and lifestyle photographer.  
9. Kristen Poissant - NYC based graphic and product designer.  
10. Song and Pen - Calligraphy and handwritten art for weddings and the home.  
11. Art by Megan.  me :) 

Thankful for this amazing group of creative business ladies! 

Last week, I hosted a painting class at Maman in the beautiful Tribeca nieghborhood of Manhattan, NYC.  It was a dreamy night of painting instruction, talking about color theory and laughs.  Each of my students enjoyed learning to paint an 8"x10" abstract ocean painting on canvas and a tiny 4"x4" square mini painting. 

To read a little bit more about the amazing menu and events at Maman, check it out here.  Two of my dear friends in NYC host amazing classes on Calligraphy and Weaving and you should totally check out their classes, too!! 

Look how mesmerized we are! 

Seriously though, Maman wins for the best desserts ever. Yes, those are warm milk and cookies AND Nutella brownies!  

Special thanks to Amy of Amy Frances Photography for taking photos and to Kara, the sweetest intern for helping out with clean-up afterwards.  I couldn't do it all without you guys!  

Here is a list of "must read" books for creatives and entrepreneurs!  My favorite books listed here include stories of women CEOs, one-woman operations and businesses and people following their dreams and helping to make the world a better place in the process.  Enjoy! 

1.  "In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney". I have loved reading Design*Sponge for as long as I can remember and LOVED reading this book, which highlights 100 creatives in an interview-style format.  It's breathtakingly honest and raw, beautifully written and formatted, and gorgeous to stare at all day long.  My little daughter loves it and asks me to read it to her, too, so it's basically just the best book ever written.  Just trust me, you need to own this book.  

2. "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo.  This book puts a lot of things in perspective.  You don't have to be an organizational freak to read it, either (I'm a little disorganized!).  It just helped me to realize that what I own should bring me joy and what I am holding onto may not have value.  It's a wonderful book and it's an amazing reminder.  In a crazy world, it's important to stop and take the time to put perspective back into our lives and this book does just that! 

3. "You are a Badass" by Jen Sincero. If you hate inspirational or self-help books, this one is for you.  There's ABSOLUTELY no fluff here, and its why I love this author so much.  Jen Sincero gives actionable, brave and courageous, and hilarious perspective in this book.  I love it and I appreciated how it focuses so heavily on gratitude as a key to happiness.  I also love that she says bad words and does irreverant things.  Because that's just so important, too.  

4. "The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp.  I have read and re-read this one countless times.  I love to read about the habits that other creatives develop to give themselves structure to be creative. Freedom, walks, naps and cocktails are featured, so it's basically the book I live by.  Read it!  And re-read it every year for good measure.  And then highlight it.  

5. "Daily Rituals: How Artists Work" by Mason Currey.  I love LOVE LOVE this book.  Again with the rituals.  Why do I have a ritual fetish?  Well, I will tell you:

1. I work for myself.  
2. I need someone out there to tell me to do things in order because otherwise my creative side takes over and I go wild.  
3. I love traditions.
4. I love drinking coffee every morning and need validation.  
5. I love naps and I need to know that important people throughout history also appreciated the "siesta".  
6. I am secretly (or publically?!) really nosey and love knowing what people do all day with their lives.  

The end.  Read it! 

So, my only remaining thought is, what is your favorite book?  Comment below! 

xo 

Megan 

My studio, which I decided to get and I giggled endlessly for 3 days straight.  Then, I had an "OMG, WHAT HAVE I DONE" moment.  That's when you know that the risk is good!  

Repeat after me, "Risk is not scary".

Had you told me this mantra three years ago, I would have laughed at you and said: "umm, ok".  But, the past 3 years have taught me that it's not the risk that is the "scary part" of adulthood.  A risk is actually invigorating, allows you to re-invent yourself, challenges you in ways you have not yet even explored, and pushes you to become a person you would not even believe is hiding inside of your "safe" shell.

Now, before we continue, I am writing today about taking business risks.  I don't recommend doing anything too crazy or dangerous and then saying "risk is fun"!!  I think though, that we are living in a time when people are taking new risks in inventing, reinventing themselves and becoming entrepreneurs.  It's an exciting digital time and we need to run towards it full throttle and not live in total fear. 

When I began my career as an artist, I wasn't interested in the risk element of starting a business. I was terrified of failing and embarrassing myself because I still had a big ego and I had not yet learned how to swallow my pride and just JUMP! I wanted to prove that I could do it and secretly I wanted it to be effortless, fun, beautiful and elegant. 

Then, I realized that being an artist meant owning my own business, negotiating legalities, being responsible, taking action and planning ahead of time, and getting messy (mentally and physically!).  I came to the knowledge that owning a business wasn't going to look much like the curated online Instagram version of life.   IT was going to look a lot more like a blooper video.  Yes, my career is a blooper reel.  And I LOVE IT! 

A quick "interview": 

Imaginary person: "So, Megan, how do you get to the point where you let go of the perfection and just enjoy the process and the risk and the scary uncertainties."

Me: "You get like 2407 emails denying you from opportunities.  Then you cry a little bit and whine about how hard it is to your husband or friends.  Then, you decided that it's all worth it still."

Imaginary person: "But what if you want to give up?"

Me: "Then you are not in love with it enough. I want to paint for the rest of my life.  I am in love with it.  I am not quitting.  I am willing to do the work, even when it's really, really hard or frustrating or annoying."

Imaginary person: "So, you are just a really stubborn person, aren't you."

Me: "No I'M NOT! (read: yes, yes I am!)"

So, what's next?  I need to go make a list in my bullet journal because I haven't set the bar high enough for myself.  I am not totally scared of my dreams, as they say, so they just aren't big enough!  

If you have questions as a business owner, please know that I am rooting for you!  Email me anytime and I will cheer you on.  And remember, RISK IS NOT SCARY.

photo by my studio mate Amy Frances of @amyfrancesphoto

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!! 

Montauk 8x10 Print

Summer Storm 8x10 Print

Flamingo Beach 8x10 Print

Bodega Tulips 8x10 Print