Megan McSwain Mann's newest collection for The Studio Collective is a feast for the eyes. Inspired by freshly picked fruits and veggies, Farmstand Favorites features bold and cheerful portraits of ripe summer produce - strawberries, peaches, citrus fruit, sugar snap peas, and tomatoes - as colorful and eye-catching as they are at your favorite roadside farmstand. We had the pleasure of talking with Megan about her creative journey, what inspires her, and her career as an art therapist! We hope you enjoy reading our interview with Megan, and be sure to check out Farmstand Favorites available now in the gallery!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned on your creative journey?
The biggest lesson I have learned on this creative journey is that the journey is the best part. Whenever I get too focused on the end destination of a painting it often does not work out the way I hoped. However, when I trust the process and allow the journey to unfold the painting is always better. I also think just giving yourself permission to mess up, start over, and try again is a big part of the journey because it is often the mistakes that lead you towards the right results. Trust your creative process and enjoy the ride.
Favorite quote creativity?
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” —Maya Angelou
Tell us about how art impacts your life:
Art has been a big part of my life since I was a child. Art saved me when I was a struggling child in school (dyslexia and ADHD) and it saved me again as an emotional teen and unsure college student. As adult, I have worked as an art therapist for the last 17 years and it has been a joy to witness how much art can help others find and express themselves. I feel so lucky to have art as an outlet and to share the creative process with others.
How do you want people to feel when they look at your art?
I want people to feel the realness or essence of an object or place captured in the painting. I want people not to think oh what a perfect strawberry, but instead to feel the sweetness and juiciness of the strawberries. It sounds kind of lofty but I want a strawberry not to look perfect, but to feel perfect.
What inspires you?
I love soaking in the colors, shapes, shadows, and feelings you get when you really look at things. Often when I am driving around I stop and take pictures, or better yet ask my children or husband -quick take picture of that landscape. I often keep my phone out at the farmers market, when gardening, and even the grocery store so I can catch a close up of a color or the way food had been arranged. To me so much of art is learning to see, then asking what that seeing makes you feel and trying to translate that into an image.
Do you have a secret talent or hobby besides painting?
Art Therapy - Ok so maybe that is not a secret! I love how art can make you see and understand yourself in new ways. I love how art works in the brain - it is like a key that can unlock things you didn't even know you knew. I suppose a more secret talent is that as an art therapist I have gotten really good at making art about pokemon, minecraft, fidgets, -and I will say I am a master of making slime and painting pouring. I am really good at helping kids turn any interest or subject into art (:
What is your favorite book or the last book you read?
So many good books!! I love The Creative Act- Rick Rubin and I have been starting my day with the Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest. I also read and really enjoyed Xochitl Gonzalez’s books Olga dies Dreaming and Anita De Monte Laughs Last.
How has creating helped you get through a difficult time?
As a child, school was challenging because I have ADHD and dyslexia. I was lucky to go to an amazing school and have great support, but one of the biggest things that helped me was making art. I loved art making in all forms and took countless art classes as a child. Being able to make art felt like taking a class that made sense. Art gave me confidence and a place where I felt I could truly be myself.
