We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Manda McKay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Manda below.
Hi Manda, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
My current project, The Feral Feminist Field Guide, is probably the most meaningful to me. It will take at least a year and a half to complete. It will be a book with paintings from my Feral Feminism series, plus nature sketches and hidden messages of rebellion.
For a long time, I’ve wanted to create something as a response to the current political climate in the hopes of helping to change things for the better. I’ve made paintings about feminism, but the Field Guide will express the sentiment from many more angles.
Manda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve been an artist my entire life. My first job was as a veterinary illustrator at Auburn University, but I had sold paintings and drawings prior to that. For fifteen years now, I’ve been painting allegorical still lifes of assembled natural objects.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I want to help change the world for the better.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’d wanted to make videos of creativity tips for a while, then I had a cardiac episode and had to be chemically defibrillated. I didn’t have the energy to paint, but I was able to talk into a camera! That pushed me to finally start recording the creativity tips. So far I’ve made over 70 of these videos.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MandaMcKay.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MandaMcKayArt/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MandaMcKayArt
Image Credits
Photo of Manda by Chris McKay.