Fine Art
MEGAN CARTY
Abstract Artist
Megan Poses with Several of her Abstract Works
Photo Credit: Kat Rokita
Photo Credit: Kat Rokita
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Megan discusses her interest in abstract art, her passion for connecting with nature, and her latest series, "Yaaas, Queen!"
When did you begin to focus on abstract work, or has this style of painting always been a passion of yours?
I began to focus on abstract work in 2016, starting out with painting flowers in an abstract way. I had been painting representational landscapes before that, but I was having trouble making them feel like mine. I wanted to be able to make more of a standalone artistic impression, and focusing on color and movement allowed me to feel so much more energy in my art. I quickly found that painting abstracts was more challenging than I had assumed, and it took a while to get comfortable with it. I had to experiment a lot to find my own voice and interests for my work. |
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Acadia June
Acrylic Ink on Raw Canvas ~ 48 x 60 inches
© Megan Carty
Acrylic Ink on Raw Canvas ~ 48 x 60 inches
© Megan Carty
It seems you are drawn to nature for inspiration. Do you paint en plein air, from photographs, or from still life? Which do you prefer?
I am definitely inspired by nature. Nothing replaces the feeling of peace and sense of self when you are walking amongst the trees or flowers. Whether walking in beautiful places on vacation or taking a walk on a local trail, I find so much beauty in the colors of nature. I take lots of photos and make mental notes of the things I notice. Later, in the studio, I use the photos I took along with the feelings I had in the space to produce my work. Working on location is difficult thanks to weather and bugs; so, I enjoy getting out when I can and bringing everything I can in my memory back to the studio.
I am definitely inspired by nature. Nothing replaces the feeling of peace and sense of self when you are walking amongst the trees or flowers. Whether walking in beautiful places on vacation or taking a walk on a local trail, I find so much beauty in the colors of nature. I take lots of photos and make mental notes of the things I notice. Later, in the studio, I use the photos I took along with the feelings I had in the space to produce my work. Working on location is difficult thanks to weather and bugs; so, I enjoy getting out when I can and bringing everything I can in my memory back to the studio.
Party at the Marsh
Acrylic Ink & Pencil on Raw Canvas ~ 30 x 40 inches © Megan Carty |
The Gardens of Easter Promenade
Acrylic Ink on Raw Canvas ~ 18 x 24 inches © Megan Carty |
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Please tell our readers a bit about your "Yaaas, Queen! Celebrating the Majesty of Mother Nature" series. (The images in this interview include works from this series.)
In this newest body of work, I explore Mother Nature’s New England landscape and celebrate her resilient majesty by combining unlikely bombastic techno-colors and expressive mark-making that tangle into a fresh unique landscape painting experience. I use raw canvas fabric to meld acrylic inks, paints, and graphite into my own innovative version of an abstract landscape. Inspired by topographic maps, I mold and affix the canvas into undulating hills and valleys to give the paintings a sculptural quality you can touch and experience. The colors, lines, and shapes recall those found in New England scenery and give the feeling of flying like a bird while looking down. My goal, however, isn’t to depict a specific place, but to help the viewer recall a personal favorite outdoor place. My favorite inspirations are Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in Maine. I love referencing colors and shapes of the marshes, the forests, the rivers/lakes, and the brooks streaming through the mountains. The results are not traditional or stodgy – these are fresh, chic, modernist re-inventions of an age-old genre. Here, Mother Nature gets turned on her head. As part of your Artist Statement, you write: "I like to use riotous color choices to create the energy of empowerment in a painting; a sense and statement of strength and triumph over hardship." Has this always been your intention? Has your style changed over time? I have always used bright and loud colors. I like to have fun with art, and I love a lot of color in my home. It really affects my mood in a positive way to be surrounded by the right colors. Color is a great way to give a sense of energy, and my intention with my work is to make the viewer feel strong and powerful. I associate bright colors with triumph and happiness and have found that my collectors do as well. |
Under and Through the Tidepool
Acrylic Ink on Raw Canvas ~ 24 x 30 inches © Megan Carty |
There is a sense of frenzied energy in much of your work articulated by your compositions and brush strokes. Do you approach a new piece with a plan, or do you let the canvas speak to your mood or internal instincts?
I approach each painting with a plan for the color story I want to tell. I usually pick out three top colors that work well together with one being a ‘star.’ Sometimes I sketch different layouts for how I want the composition to look but that often evolves as I make the actual work. I allow myself to be flexible with the process because a lot of the spirit of the work comes from spontaneity and chance combined with calculated decisions. Often, what emerges is somewhat of a surprise to me; and that’s what keeps it interesting. The creative process can have a bit of a spiritual component to it for me, so there is room for that.
I approach each painting with a plan for the color story I want to tell. I usually pick out three top colors that work well together with one being a ‘star.’ Sometimes I sketch different layouts for how I want the composition to look but that often evolves as I make the actual work. I allow myself to be flexible with the process because a lot of the spirit of the work comes from spontaneity and chance combined with calculated decisions. Often, what emerges is somewhat of a surprise to me; and that’s what keeps it interesting. The creative process can have a bit of a spiritual component to it for me, so there is room for that.
The Islands Downeast
Acrylic Ink & Pencil on Raw Canvas ~ 24 x 30 inches © Megan Carty |
The River Runs Through It
Acrylic Ink on Raw Canvas ~ 24 x 30 inches © Megan Carty |
Drama At the Lobster Bake
Acrylic Ink on Raw Canvas ~ 8 x 10 inches © Megan Carty |
Please name one or two female artists who have inspired your work.
I love the abstract landscape work of Scottish painter Joan Eardley and the abstract expressionist explorations by Austrian painter Martha Jungwirth. Where do you find sanctuary? First, sanctuary is found amongst the trees in the forest. Listening to the wind whisper through the trees feels so reassuring, and I come away feeling loved and safe. From there, I can go to my second sanctuary: my studio. Painting is meditative and allows my mind to be refreshed and rejuvenated. Time stands still and all worries disappear when my brush is gliding through the paint. The beauty is that I can experience this as long as I have paint and canvas. Allowing this experience for my brain every single day is extremely important to my health and to how I show up as a mother and a wife. Like nature, it’s all interconnected. |
Megan Carty was born in Portland, Maine, and is an accomplished colorist whose artistry is showcased through her dynamic, gestural abstract expressionist paintings. Her pieces feature a brilliant array of bombastic techno-colors and expressive mark-making that draw inspiration from the organic world. Based with her family in the tranquil New England countryside just outside Boston, Massachusetts, Megan lives and creates amidst the beauty of nature.
Megan holds a BFA from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts: School of Art & Design. Her abstract art during her ongoing 25-year career has been featured by Anthropologie, CBS Sunday Morning, HomeGoods, Artists & Illustrators Magazine, Maine Home & Design Magazine, The Improper Bostonian, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, and Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, to name a few. Her original paintings reside in private collections in both the U.S. and internationally. She has exhibited her work in solo shows and is represented exclusively with Art Space & Design Galleries in Canada.
Megan holds a BFA from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts: School of Art & Design. Her abstract art during her ongoing 25-year career has been featured by Anthropologie, CBS Sunday Morning, HomeGoods, Artists & Illustrators Magazine, Maine Home & Design Magazine, The Improper Bostonian, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, and Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, to name a few. Her original paintings reside in private collections in both the U.S. and internationally. She has exhibited her work in solo shows and is represented exclusively with Art Space & Design Galleries in Canada.
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Megan offers many options to collect her work via one-of-a-kind original paintings, Giclée prints on fine art paper, and commissioned customized art. She also collaborates well with interior designers and art consultants. All are welcome to visit the Pepperell, Massachusetts studio by appointment or via online chat. Contact Megan.
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Asticou Gardens
Acrylic Ink & Pencil on Raw Canvas ~ 30 x 40 inches © Megan Carty |
