Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megan Duncanson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Megan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I first started my career as a full-time artist, I was mostly creating original paintings that were abstract landscapes. Usually with a black silhouette of a tree and bold, rich colorful backgrounds, often with circles floating about. I became well-known for this style, and some of my best selling prints, and product placements, are with this type of art. Over the years I created a more unique style that was more distinguishable as being exclusively mine, but it was harder for that style to grab hold with a larger audience, so I also kept creating the tree paintings, as that was what I was known for. But, there were so many other artists out there doing the same thing, and I want to be known for creating a style that is just mine, so I’ve continued on that journey and have finally hit on what just feels right to me, and is what I am currently doing. I’m creating very stylized animal paintings that I am absolutely in love with! And also applying them onto wooden puzzle pieces to create “A NeverEnding Story”, an infinite puzzle painting. This is definitely a risk for me to deviate so far from what I’ve been most known for over the years, but I feel it’s the right time to fully dive into who I truly am as an artist, and never look back. This path is full of new and creative experiences that I’m beyond excited to follow, and hope all my collectors and fans will join me.

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’ve always been creative, and loved to draw, paint, color and put together puzzles as a child. Everything I have ever done in life has some creativity behind it, so it was a natural progression to eventually turn my creative passion into a career. I started out by testing the waters with an abstract landscape painting on auction on eBay in 2001. I didn’t expect much to happen, and over the 7 day auction period I didn’t receive a single bid, but then, in the last minute of the auction, there was a bidding war with numerous buyers! I kept refreshing and getting bid after bid, and that was it, I was hooked, haha! For years after I would list whenever I could, but still only able to do it part time as other obligations interfered, but I kept wanting to make it a full-time job, and in 2008 I finally did and became an art production machine! I was listing at least three paintings every single day on eBay and Etsy, and kept this up for several years, which really allowed me to fine tune my style and become a better artist; as they say practice makes perfect, and it absolutely does.

During this time I also discovered art licensing, and began to offer my art to companies to use on their products in exchange for royalties. This has been a huge part of my art business, and I continue to add new art products, and collaborations, every year, from home decor, pet supplies, poster prints to journals and more.

I never stop trying to push the boundaries of my art, my style and come up with new creative ways to offer art. This is why I am soooooo excited about “A NeverEnding Story”, my infinite puzzle painting. I’ve never seen anything like this, and it combines my love for painting animals/nature, and puzzles. I use 12″x12″ wooden interlocking puzzle pieces to create a single painting, that I will add to infinitely, but each single piece is also it’s own standalone painting. This is the most challenging, but also by far the most rewarding, painting I have ever done. At this time, I’m keeping all of the originals, but will be offering some fun little magnet pieces so that followers can create there own puzzles along with me.

In addition to the puzzle painting, I also create original paintings that depict endangered, or threatened, animals, as protection of our planet and species is an important mission of mine, personally and as an artist. These paintings are offered for purchase, and will soon be offering limited edition giclee prints as well. And a portion of all my art sales goes to support organizations working to conserve and preserve our beautiful planet.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I was in a very abusive, and controlling, relationship for many years. I struggled constantly to be able to create my art, as my partner wanted me to work for him, and only him, without pay. It was a very difficult and trying time in my life, but I never, ever gave up. The internal drive and passion to create art is something I can’t deny, I HAVE to create. Without my art I’m not a complete person, I feel empty and hollow inside. Being able to paint fills me up in a way I can’t even begin to describe, so to have someone hold me back from that was a devastating and ultimately depressing time. But, somehow I was able to fight against my oppressor and figure out ways to create, even while he would destroy paintings and abuse me when I would try. And for reasons I don’t want to go into here, I stayed, for too long. I did finally break the abusive cycle and got away from my abuser, and now I live the most fulfilling life as a creator, free to travel the country in my tiny mobile studio home, a van I self converted myself! I have it set up perfectly for me to work on my art, travel our beautiful national forests and parks, and I absolutely love the freedom to be who I am as a person and an artist. So, never, ever give up on whatever your passion is, fight for it, fight for yourself and what is most important to you…ultimately believe in yourself and don’t let anyone or anything ever hold you back.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I am VERY passionate about conserving and preserving the planet and all species. I believe that as intellectually higher beings, we have an obligation to take care of this beautiful world that we live in. To protect and care for it in a sustainable way, and not abuse this gift of life we’ve been given. I want to highlight the beauty this planet has to offer, and all the amazing creatures that inhabit it. And to show to others how we can do more to be sustainable, to live in harmony with all beings and preserve mother earth for all future generations of humans, animals and plants to enjoy, I often highlight endangered, or threatened animals in my paintings, with explanations of how they became endangered, and also how we can work together to avoid this happening in the future. I also donate a portion of all my art proceeds to ReWild, an organization that works tirelessly to conserve and preserve our planet.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.madartdesigns.com
• Instagram: @madartstudios
• Facebook: @madartstudios
• Youtube: @madwonderland
• Other: Pinterest: @madartstudios

Image Credits
Megan Aroon Duncanson©