As a painter and art therapist I have spent the last 16 years exploring the connection between art and emotion, and how art can be used to better understand ourselves and others. The creative process is often a bottom up process that helps us express thoughts and feelings we may not yet be able to put into words.

When painting I find myself drawn to create artwork that expresses not merely the object or place, but the emotions those objects or places evoke. In my most recent work I have been exploring issue around food, food insecurity, food production and distribution, and farming. Having recently moved from the city of Atlanta to the countryside of Charlotte, the landscape and the farmstead food culture have really stood out to me as something both unique and beautiful. I have enjoyed exploring the seasonal and atmospheric changing landscapes and changing produce as a reflection of the Vermont culture and pace of life.

Megan McSwain Mann is currently living in Charlotte Vermont with her husband (a native Charlotter) and 3 children (ages 7, 11, and 13). Born in Atlanta, GA, Megan recently moved to Vermont (2022) after having spent the last 16 years working as art therapist and child and family therapist in the Atlanta area. Megan has both a Masters (2007) and Doctoral degree (2015) in art therapy, with research focused on the art making process as a vehicle for parent child communication. Since moving, Megan has taken this time to focus full time on her painting, and her studio is located in the Soda Plant in Burlington, VT.