Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megan Alain. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
I’m very grateful for my parents’ constant support throughout my life! I’ve pursued my artistic interests from a young age. They recognized my passion for creating and made sure I had the necessary tools and resources to nurture it. Through art, I found a way to express my emotions, support people I love, and explore profound themes that still impact my daily life.
Their encouragement extended beyond just words; they enrolled me in drawing classes, even if it meant a long car ride further from our town every week. My first symposium made me meet painters who confirmed my desire to become an artist. My parents supported me in my many experiments, like watercolor and oil, which greatly influenced my artistic journey.
When I transitioned to digital art, they supported my decision, even when many thought that it was not a real form of art or that it was lazy. They never pressured me to choose a “normal” job because they trusted that I was following my true calling.
I’m very grateful for my mom and dad for trusting and believing in me. I wouldn’t be where I am today for sure. It makes me sad because I know that many individuals my age have not had my luck, and that they may have abandoned their dreams due to feeling undervalued or unsupported.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hey there! I’m Megan, an eighteen-year-old French Canadian. I’ve been studying graphic design for a year now, which was a no-brainer for me after spending ages doodling and creating concept posters. I’m passionate about anything related to visual art—illustration, drawing, painting, collage, photography—you name it! I love mix illustration with my intense love for music to make my own art.
You probably know me from my Instagram, @likelylostatsea, where I share illustrations inspired by songs or of my favorite musicians. I’m lucky enough to work on cool projects for festivals, musicians, and music lovers who commission me. My illustrations are all about the intricate details, intense inking (maybe too intense sometimes oops!), textures, and emotions. I try to capture the essence of the artists I draw or express the feelings their work evokes in me. Lately, I’ve been exploring themes that circle around womanhood and philosophical questions too.
My proudest moment has to be the work I did for the Bentonia Blues Festival over the last two years. I designed posters, and with my new graphic design skills, we even made some shirts. Seeing people wear my creations and receiving sweet comments brings tears to my eyes! The Blue Front Café is. a peace of very precious history. I’m so thankful for the opportunity Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and the wonderful folks there gave me. I can’t wait to head down to Mississippi at some point and to meet everyone, especially after meeting Holmes and hearing about his path in Montréal last year. Contributing to a (very small, of course) part of a genre that is so important to me is incredibly rewarding for me and I never thoughtI’d get to do it. Blues and its vast history has always been fascinating,
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal might not be super specific, but it’s what really pushes me forward. I just want to stay true to myself and let my style evolve naturally as I grow. I’m not about rigidly sticking to rules just to keep things consistent. I want to express things in a way that others can relate to and understand, and it’s one of my main focus right now.
I dream of becoming an artist so great that when people look at my drawings, they’ll go, “Wow, this is an amazing portrayal of (…. ….)! Those eyes say it all.” I believe as long as I keep striving to improve, stay open-minded, and avoid thinking I’m perfect, I’ll be satisfied with my artistic journey. It’s all about staying genuine and never losing sight of that for me!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
There’s this saying that means that we have to draw constantly to improve, and it can be true for those who are superheroes! But in my experience, finding balance in life (school, relationships, etc) is the key to unlocking my creativity. When I take time for myself and nurture other aspects of my life, my art benefits from it. Moreover, graphic design is taking a lot of my creativity lately.
I’ve learned that I enjoy drawing so much more when I’m not rushing or multitasking. Instead of forcing myself to create multiple things at once, I’m better off investing time and patience into one drawing. It allows me to feel genuinely motivated to draw, and that passion, I think, shines through in my work.
For me, taking breaks (just of a few hours sometimes) is essential for recharging my creative battery! I used to stress myself out over not constantly producing art, but now I see that allowing myself some downtime actually fuels my passion for drawing. So, be kind on yourself!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likelylostatsea/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/likelylostatsea/
Image Credits
I have all the credits.