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

Hi there! 

Today I want to give you a little sneak peek into my new series inspired by my favorite oceans around the world.  "Waves" is a collection of 20 new abstract acrylic paintings on canvas ranging from 10x10 to 40x60.  The work is bold, textural, and full of happy memories of time spent staring at the edge of the ocean.  There are even some neutrals in there, too!  (Although, most are blues and shades of blue, obviously!) 

Be sure to follow along on Instagram and stories here.  I'll be posting sneak peeks and full paintings from today until release day on social media.  Be sure to share with friends!  

To hear updates about the release on Sunday, October 15 at 8am EST, sign up here. 

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I will be hosting an Open Studio day on Friday, October 13 from 10 am - 2 pm at my studio in Brooklyn, NY.  I would LOVE to meet locals and share a cup of coffee and chat about some art. If you are local and would like to stop by, feel free to sign up here! 

Behind-the-scenes: Why I paint abstract vs. realistic

Ok, brace yourself for some serious philosophical thinking today on Art by Megan.  Recently, my friend Amy of Little Awkward Studio asked me “Why do you paint abstract oceans instead of "realistic" ones?”.  And my little mind was blown.  I had never stopped to think about this.

So, let’s think about the style of painting for a bit together, shall we?

One of the most interesting things to me about art, in general, is the style that an artist chooses for their work.  Why for example does Basquiat scribble and use what some consider “childish” strokes in his work?  Why did Monet use such a unique style that was considered to be “terrible” by critics back before Impressionism began?  Why are some artists so free in their large gestures (DeKooning, Jackson Pollock, and Helen Frankenthaler) and others so tight, precise and accurate? (Edward Hopper, DaVinci, Chuck Close...)

Some questions:

• Is it the artist’s personality that makes them paint a certain way?
• Does it have to do with their physical limitations or strengths? (Nope, because look at Chuck Close's work…)
• Does it have to do with skill?  (also, no.  Picasso is a perfect example of this.  He was a boy-genius and could sketch with amazing accuracy.  However, he abandoned this to pursue a new form and helped to create the movement known as Cubism.)

Ok, so it must boil down to artistic expression, philosophical thought, or intuition.

Yes.  That’s my answer, Amy.

For me, I have always been inspired by the art of the Impressionists.  I love chunky colors and texture.  I love traveling and seeing old buildings (think Old San Juan, Puerto Rico or Havana, Cuba) and the peeling paint.  I am attracted to imperfect and raw.  (Thank goodness, because that’s a perfect metaphor for my life, but I digress…)

So, in my art, I paint “imperfectly”.  I love playful lines, blobs of paint, brush strokes and texture, texture, texture.  Bring on the acrylic lumpiness.  I prefer to work on paper and canvas because they lend themselves well to creating texture and you can add on top of existing texture to create even more. 

Maybe I paint abstractly because that’s just how my brain works.  I like to add, add, add and I love learning about people and their many layers. 

There you have it.  That’s why.

Oh, and also, a lot of artists get the question of abstract vs. realistic because people want to know if they “can draw”.  I can draw, just not realistically.  You probably can too, just try it out sometime.  

Inspiration for future paintings - photo by Amy Frances Photo

A question that comes up a lot in the creative world is that of inspiration.

Where do you get inspiration?  How do you stay inspired?  What inspires you to paint?  What do you look at for inspiration?  What happens if you run out of ideas?  How do you deal with creative block?

Well, today let's just tackle the idea of inspiration for an artist.  I love painting and I have the problem of "too many ideas".  I suffer from total inspiration overload.  It's amazing because I have a treasure trove of ideas to paint from at all times (especially in the spring and summer, because those are my favorite colors and subject matters - petals and oceans!).  However, I have learned to channel and organize my inspiration a little bit through social media and on Pinterest. 

I have recently been using Planoly to help manage my Instagram posts and it has helped me immensely with controlling my enthusiasm for all things visual.  USE PLANOLY if you need help with curating your feed, studying your brand colors, channeling your energy and sharing images that truly reflect your business.  It also saves a TON of time.  

For other visual inspiration, I would love to state here that I use all of my own travel photos, but that's just not the case.  I wish I traveled the world for a living and collected beautiful moments myself, but maybe someday?!  For now, I use Pinterest.  It has been an amazing tool to collect inspiration.  My boards are grouped by my biggest interests: Color, Travel, Nature, Cities I love, and Interior Design and Decor.  

Feel free to fall down the rabbit hole of Pinterest with me, will you!?  It's so fun! 

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.  

Oversized Prints! 

Oversized prints!  pictured here: "Summer Storm" print in 30x40.  Selfie by me. ;)

An affordable option for decorating your home with Artwork by your favorite artist (cough, cough!) is to order a large, oversized print of their work.  So many people have been reaching out to me recently about this, so I wanted to share all of the details with you today.

Sizes and Pricing:

• 18x24 - $200 ("Montauk", "Summer Storm", "Bermuda" and "Blue Crush") 

• 24x36 - $300 ("Montauk", "Summer Storm", "Bermuda" and "Blue Crush") 

• 30x40 - $500 ("Summer Storm" print only) 

How do I order? Just email me.  

Arrival time: 2-3 weeks.

Will my print be signed by Megan? yes! 

Where should I frame my new print?  Framebridge!  (New Framebridge Customers: Use code ARTBYMEGAN15 to receive a 15% discount on your first order!) 

Hi friends! Here is a little round-up of some of my favorite places in NYC if you find yourself taking a weekend adventure here!  This list includes all of my favorite things to do in Manhattan.  If you're also visiting Brooklyn, here's a little post about Brooklyn, too! 

Whitney Museum photo from my Instagram @artbymegan.  

The Best NYC Art Galleries:  

The must-see galleries in Manhattan for me are the Whitney, the MoMA and the MET.  They are all amazing for entirely different reasons, so pick whichever is closest to your other destinations and go wild! 

MoMA- for an amazing selection of Modern Art plus a super cute cafe and awesome kids' area.  My favorite part at MoMA is the outdoor area, which is so lovely for a little rest during a trip to the city.  

THE MET - for the quintessential NYC experience, go to the MET.  It's stunningly beautiful, but HUGE.  Take a section and enjoy it, instead of trying to see it all in one day.  My favorite wing is the Egyptian wing, where the reflection of the windows on the indoor pool are amazing.  Also, you can spot Jackie O's old Apartment from the window; this wing was designed by her architect that way on purpose!  Also, the MET rooftop in summer is perfection. 

The Whitney - My favorite museum experience in Manhattan is the Whitney.  It's in a hip, fun area called the Meatpacking District, right near Chelsea Market and some AMAZING restaurants, so it's a great afternoon during a weekend visit. Also, the architecture of the building itself is art.  It has terraces on each level, allowing you to go inside and back outside during your weaving through the galleries.  Also, they have my ALL TIME FAVORITE DeKooning Painting.  

@jgoldcrown mural / #lovewall

Best NYC Restaurants: 

Ok, picking your top restaurants in NYC is nearly impossible, but here are my top 10.  Here's another great list if you need more ideas!  Also, here and here. 

1. Fuku + (Midtown) - the most delicious Korean chicken on the planet
2. Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien  (Midtown) - the coolest hipster (hidden) burger joint
3. Café Medi (Lower East Side) - my favorite restaurant of all time?
4. Eataly (Flatiron) - sit on the roof for amazing views and delicious food
5. The Smith (Multiple Locations) - I like the East Village location, but they are all delicious!  
6. Tiny's. Literally the cutest little pink restaurant ever.  Be sure to visit the Balloon Saloon next door, too.  It's a hilarious little balloon and gift shop.  
7. Chelsea Market (Meatpacking) - try Los Tacos No. 1.  Trust me! 
8. Jack's Wife Freda (Soho and West Village) - Brunch of the Gods.
9. Big Gay Ice Cream (East Village, West Village and Meatpacking) - no explanation needed.
10. Joe's Pizza (Greenwich Village).  Walk up and eat it at the window.  It's the NYC way. 
11. Cafe Habana. (Soho).  I legit can't stop thinking of the food here.  Get the corn.

Best NYC Parks and Adventures: 

Central Park is totally worth it.  It is a touristy spot, but it's magical.  Be sure to see the Sailboats Pond, Bethesda Fountain and wander around to see the amazing views of the skyline.

The High Line, over in Chelsea is an old railroad converted into an above ground park.  It's so breathtaking and has amazing views.  Be sure to walk all the way down to the Whitney Museum where it ends at the southern point.  

Bryant Park is one of my favorite parks in the entire city.  I love how it's a manageable size, has a grassy area, a carousel, cafes, walking areas, and board games all in one park.  It's worth taking some time to explore and you might just end up staying for hours!  

Battery Park is beautiful is spans all along the Hudson River with amazing views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and some amazing little spots along the water for resting, playgrounds, and cafes.  It's a really clean, gorgeous area and if you're up for it, take the Staten Island Ferry, too! 

Walk around Soho.  Be sure to check out the amazing shopping, cafes, and do some seriously fun people watching.  

Top of the Rock. Go to the top of Rockefeller Center for a beautiful panoramic view of the city and Empire State Building.  It's one of my favorite places in the city.  

Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge from Chinatown to Brooklyn.  It's one of my favorite things to do in NYC.  The skyline views and beautiful history and architecture of the Brooklyn Bridge is just amazing.  

Best NYC Bookstores: 

Rand McNally.  Bonus points for cutest cafe, too!  Also, an awesome kids' selection downstairs. 

The Strand. The HUGEST bookstore with literally any title you can imagine!  No trip to NYC is complete without checking it out.  

Further reading: 

• Untapped Cities
• Taza's NYC City Guides
• Timeout NYC
• Fodors NYC Guide
• Rick Steve's Weekend NYC Guide
• Anthony Bourdain

My favorite NYC instagrammers: 

• @andreannu

• @heydavina

• @whyilovenewyorkcity

• @timeoutnewyork

• @householdmag

Apps by for entrepreneurs and small business owners: 

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! 

Note: I am not being paid to share any of this information with you.  I just like to share what I have tested hopefully help out another busy or stressed out small-business owner.  

photo by Laura and Rachel Hernandez from the Rising Tide Society Leaders' Retreat in January 2017 at Honeybook's HQ in San Francisco, CA.  

For social media organization: Planoly

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.  

For business workflow: Honeybook

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! 

For my website: Squarespace

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.  

For finances and taxes: Quickbooks

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.  

For time management and scheduling: Calendly 

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