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

Alright, Megan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

If I could go back in time, yeah—I wish I had started my creative career sooner. I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I went to college for Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta and landed a job as a web designer. It paid the bills, but it was a lot of stress. At 28, my body basically said, “We’re done here.” I was exhausted, in pain, and constantly missing work. It forced me to reevaluate everything.

Doctors didn’t give me clear answers—just words like “autoimmune” and “connective tissue disorder”—but what actually helped me heal was slowing down, tuning in, and, surprise… making art. Art brought me back to my body. And during that time, someone asked me what I’d do if I could do anything. I said, “I’d make art.”

So I did. At first it was intuitive painting (lol I hated feelings), but over time I realized how powerful art therapy is—especially for women. A friend asked me to teach her girls, and something clicked. I realized: this is what I want to do. Not just make art, but teach it.

My only regret? Not listening to my grandmother sooner. She told me on her yellow couch, “You should be a teacher.” And I told her no way—I didn’t want to teach like her or my mom. But here I am. A teacher. And loving it.

If I had started earlier, I might’ve had more time to grow online and maybe even avoided some of the health stuff. Or maybe not. But I’d probably have more freedom to play and create just for me. Right now, I’m always thinking about my students and my classes—which I love—but sometimes it brings that old stress back. So yeah, I wish I’d started sooner. But honestly, the hard stuff shaped me, and I wouldn’t trade what I’ve learned.

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?

I’m Megan Bailey Gill—artist, teacher, and your creative sparkly girl behind MeganBaileyGillART. I help women (especially in their 50s to 70s) explore their creativity through joyful, relaxed art classes and workshops. Whether you’re just picking up a paintbrush for the first time or diving back into art after years away, I’m here to cheer them on and help them bloom.

I went to the Art Institute of Atlanta for Graphic Design and worked as a web designer, but burnout and autoimmune issues pushed me to reimagine my life. Through that healing process, I picked up a paintbrush, fell in love with creating again, and realized—THIS is what lights me up. A friend asked me to teach her daughters art, and that one moment opened the door to a whole new chapter. Now I teach painting and mixed media art both in-person and online.

My work is full of nostalgia, femininity, and bold beauty—think watercolor florals, dresses layered with vintage lace and paper, and sweet animal portraits. I offer art classes, workshops, note cards, original art, and pet portraits. I create products that celebrate connection—whether it’s sending a note card to a friend or finally carving out two hours to create something just for you.

What sets me apart? I create safe, welcoming spaces for women to laugh, learn, and express themselves—without pressure. I use my background in marketing and design to make my classes approachable and inspiring, and I meet you right where you are. There’s no “perfect” in my studio—just progress and play.

I’m most proud of building a community of creative women who support each other. Whether if you join me for a class, send a card, or follow me online, I want you to feel encouraged, inspired, and seen.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think what some people really struggle to understand about my journey is: how do you go from having health issues… to becoming an art teacher? But when your body gives out and you’re forced to stop, you either sit in that stuck place—or you start rebuilding. I had to do something.

For people who haven’t dealt with chronic health stuff—or come from families that say “toughen up, you’ll be fine”—it can be hard to understand why rest and creativity even matter. But they do. They matter so much.

I see it all the time in my students—especially retired women or widows. They’ve spent their lives caring for everyone else. And one day they look up and realize… they don’t know who they are anymore. They’ve never had space to feel their feelings or make space for joy.

That’s what art does. It gives your brain a break. It helps you rest, wander, and play. It creates “the zone”—a place where your body produces feel-good chemicals and builds new pathways. It helps you heal. It helps you listen to your intuition. It makes you brave.

So when someone says “I’m not arty” or “I can’t even draw a straight line,” I say: WHO CARES?! Just make something. Quilt, paint, write, garden, glue some paper to a canvas and call it a masterpiece. Your creative brain is waiting—and it might just change your life.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn?
I am not a fortune teller.

Just because I love a painting or a class idea doesn’t mean it’s going to fly off the shelves or fill up with students. Early on, I’d spend hours making something I was sure would be a hit—and then watch it sit untouched at a craft fair or in a shop. Talk about discouraging.

Then I started listening to The Product Boss podcast, and it clicked: The numbers tell the truth. What’s selling is the story. If something is a best seller and I like making it—guess what? I should make more of that.

At first, I was all over the place—different product types, different sizes, a million price points. Chaos-the story of my life. Once I simplified my sizes and prices, everything got better—my studio was more organized, my expenses went down, and I could actually see what was working.

I realized my people either wanted really big art or really small pieces—like, under 8×8. The 11x14s I liked to paint weren’t selling, and they cost too much time and materials. So, I let them go. It felt weird at first, like giving up on something good, but it wasn’t good for my business.

Same with a big holiday craft show I used to do. I used to think I had to do it to hit my sales goals. But prepping for it drained half my year—and by the time December rolled around, I was completely over it. Meanwhile, I was having to say no to people who wanted to sign up for my art classes. So I looked at the numbers: classes were consistently bringing in income and building real connections. I took a deep breath and said no to that show—and guess what? My revenue stayed steady and I had more time and energy for fall and holiday creativity in other ways.

Letting go of what I thought would work, and trusting the numbers, that’s been the game-changer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.meganbaileygill.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganbaileygill/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganbaileygillart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/meganbaileygill