Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meg Carlile . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Meg , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?
Corporate America tends to think that artists should be paid in the currency of “exposure.” Something that hasn’t been educated to many people is that art is a form of labor, and a lot of times it’s emotional labor that is then consumed by the public that creates a bridge to their emotions. It opens up a vessel for emotions to felt, processed, and transformed.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have been a creative for as long as I could hold a pencil in my hand. It was something I innately knew that I wanted to; creating always felt like both a safe and thrilling space to live in; trying new things, challenging my way of thinking and how I process, while building something that nourished my soul. Creating teaches me about myself and the world. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by humans who have supported my creative works and have encouraged me to put myself out there, so I was always seeking opportunities that could provide a platform for my work. I have been accepted in many ways, but I have also experienced rejection, like many artists have. Like with anything, you have to put in the effort to get anywhere. Staying grounded and secure in my work has helped me stay stable in those times of being denied. You can’t take rejection personally, which often requires internal labor to figure out how not take it personally.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Existing as a woman has definitely had its challenges, and I have had to unlearn the idea of staying “small” and palatable for everyone. I’m not suppose to be liked by everyone and that’s okay. I have a unique upbringing which makes my approach, my mindset and my beliefs unorthodox and not so mainstream. This can sometimes be off -putting depending on who the consumer is. That’s okay, I know that my story resonates with others who have had similar experiences, and I am thankful to have been on my journey so I can help others see the value they hold and carry.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I grew up in a pretty extreme religious household where I was trying to fit both my creative and spiritual beliefs into the same box. At one point, felt i was called to be a religious leader, which entailed harsh boundaries for my creative lifestyle. The more I pursued life as an artist the more I felt at home in my body, while being in my body pursuing religion contradicted how I really felt internally. I wanted to be free of judgement, I wanted to play and dance without fear. Ultimately, I walked away from religion because my heart and my spirit could no longer accept the box it was trying to put me in. So, after a long road of deconstruction I eventually said goodbye and embraced the playful artist I truly am.
Contact Info:
- Website: mmmegcarlile.com
- Instagram: @mmmegcarlile
Image Credits
The image credits is Me, Meg Carlile lol