We were lucky to catch up with Megan Dupuy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Abigail was an avid art collector and it was incredible to me that she found my art worth purchasing. She encouraged me to market my work, charge fair market prices and even helped arrange my first collection being displayed at a restaurant in South Louisiana. She recently passed away and it has been a great loss for our family & friends.

It’s often hard to realize worth in your art, Imposter syndrome is a real issue for many artists. Having someone provide encouragement and guidance really changed my perspective of what I created – I can create something beautiful that someone else will value enough to purchase, it doesn’t have to only be a hobby.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Memphis based impressionistic artist, Louisiana native. I spent my childhood in the countryside of South Louisiana & summers along the Gulf coast, and my art reflects the Southern charm I was raised in. My inspiration still comes from time I spent outdoors, trips back home, and the Memphis landscape I’m surrounded by now.
My medium is acrylic on canvas or cradled board. I paint thickly, using heavy body paint and palette knives. This results in a lovely texture across the canvas.
Many of my paintings have gold leafing and resin coatings, resulting in a gorgeous, high-end glossy finish.
My use and application of gold-leaf and resin finishes also make my artwork unique.

I think the most unique art I offer is my sonogram abstracts, which are painted using those unattractive 2-D images you receive in your first visits. It’s the perfect way to display those early images of your little one, in a beautiful and timeless way. The abstract is attractive enough to hang alone anywhere in the home, but if you look closely you’ll find the little details of baby’s nose, lips, sometimes a curled up hand or umbilical cord. It is a most thoughtful gift for mothers and grandmothers. I have never seen another sonogram abstract quite the way I create mine, and I’m very proud of how subtle and beautiful they are.

My most popular pieces have been my large oysters, my Elevated Coastal collection.
Oysters are a symbol of femininity, fertility, beauty, sensuality and are a quiet and peaceful creature. They are an excellent gift for anyone in your life who embodies these qualities. It is not only a symbol of the beach but of Southern cuisine and heritage. I’ve most often seen mine displayed in living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and wet bars.
My oysters are a unique offering for the Memphis area, and their gentle curves are so lovely to paint.
I also have had success with my landscapes, magnolias & coastal birds.

My sonogram abstracts, oysters and magnolias can be customized. I typically work directly with collectors, or their interior designers, to customize their art to their home/space, so every color is intentional and personal.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

We need to encourage creativity in our young people! Creating should be part of your daily routine like flossing or exercise. Sketch journaling is so relaxing and is a powerful tool for stress management. 15 minutes a day is all you need. Creating is important to prevent stress & anxiety, which has increased drastically in the children of our country.
Additionally, in a world that is so busy, practicing the meditative state of creation can help dial back the mental static of constant electronic input.

Now that I’ve experienced the benefit of having a mentor I am trying to give back to my community. I am part of the newly founded Lakeland Arts Council. On Oct 28th we had our inaugural Arts & Crafts Festival which was a resounding success.
Megan Dupuy Arts sponsored the Young Entrepreneurs Tent, which was a free space for Lakeland youth under 18 to sell their wares. The young people who were selected just blew me away with what they had to offer! I have so much excitement for the young people in this world & I think they are infinitely creative, they just need to realize it.
I’d like to grow the entrepreneur tent offering into more than just a free space – but also find mentors who can offer guidance, marketing, social media… the list goes on.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Networking, networking, networking! Never underestimate the power of networking! Unknowingly, since I began my business, I’ve been been operating in a silo. My only connections were the few artists I already knew.
A great friend of mine started a group of Women business owners in the Lakeland area and I’ve been blown away at the knowledge I’ve denied myself by not surrounding myself with fellow business owners and artists.
In our Women in Networking and Support group, we are different industries but have many of the same difficulties. We share solutions, personal development, books we are reading, and more.

Same with art – you must connect, chat, have a coffee, join an artist co-op, find ways to immerse yourself in the art community. I’ve had an explosion of creativity since I’ve begun my networking journey & I cannot wait to see where it takes me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.megandupuyarts.com
• Instagram: @megandupuyarts
• Facebook: @megandupuyarts

Image Credits
Pure Pixel Photography @PurePixelPhotography