We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Megan Stout. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Megan below.

Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

“How long have you been drawing for?” “When did you know you wanted to be an artist?” “Have you always wanted to pursue in the creative field?” These are some of the questions I’ve been asked often in my life as a creative. It’s a mixture of yes, no, kinda, and sorta? I’ve been drawing, painting, and making since I was old enough to hold a tool — so probably 2? However, it wasn’t until junior year in high school that I realized I wanted to do something art related and truly felt this was something I could do.

Throughout my youth, my homework assignments would be littered with doodles. I would be gifted “how-to” drawing books and would spend hours trying to mimic perfectly what was taught within the pages. I would paint rocks with whatever acrylic paints weren’t dried up, and sell them around my small neighborhood. I geeked over the art assignments in middle school when we would create monsters with a storyline or learn how to draw self portraits and environments. My childhood room’s closet was covered in illustrations of dragons and all things magic, as my imagination run wild with taking my inner thoughts and making them feel like they were alive through paper. Any chance there was an opportunity to draw, such as entering countless years in my local library’s “draw a bookmark” contest, I was just always drawn to wanting to make something.

As I got older and entered middle school, I would for some reason feel embarrassed when people would peer over my shoulder to see what I sketched up. Maybe it was fear of taunting or lack of confidence, but I would put myself down that it was “nothing” worthy of positive feedback or praise. It felt silly, just “simple doodles not capable of much”, and I wanted to blend in. Being told “you should be a cartoonist!” or something along those lines, my typical inner response would be “Me? No way. Not possible” and would shut it down. Still, despite these feelings, I would continue on creating any chance I could.

Through the end of middle school to early high school, life at home was difficult. My parents were getting divorced, I was bullied horribly and barely told anyone what was going on. I lost the drive and passion to draw. I remember sitting in art class and feeling numb as I would sit for hours thinking of what I wanted to make and couldn’t come up with anything that sparked delight. I just felt empty and I simply wanted to get by. I would go to school and do the bare minimum, walk home, sleep, and repeat. I can’t recall the exact moment, but moving into junior year something just clicked and changed. The heaviness that weighed inside me felt lighter and my head felt less clouded. Shows like Adventure Time, Regular Show, and Steven Universe were out and captivated my attention. It felt like my imagination was “reactivated”. Especially when watching Adventure Time, something about the show felt so comforting, magical, and hilarious, that I wanted to take that inspiration and see I could do. I felt happy again. It was like what felt impossible was no longer.

As junior year turned into senior year and the conversations of “college” and “thinking about your future” became more constant and I looked at the thing that made me happy and always stuck through the years of growth and change, that helped comforted me through hard times, the thing that helped me have a voice when I didn’t speak out — and it was always art. The feelings of “I’m not good enough to do ____” changed to “well, maybe I am good enough. I can do this”. I knew no matter what the path was whether I would be a teacher, illustrator or designer, or how long it took me, that I wanted to be an artist and always have art be a part of my life.

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I attended college at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My major was Illustration with a focus on Graphic Design because I believe both are crucial and go hand-in-hand. As an artist, I wanted to be versatile as possible and not be limited to my options when job hunting after I graduated college. During my time in college I would work in service industry jobs like being a manager at Mc Donalds, a car dealership receptionist, and a janitor at a market. As a way to make some extra cash to put myself through college, I would offer portraiture commissions done through copic markers and ink and sell stickers on Instagram.

I met my long term partner, who was originally from Madison, Wisconsin, in Grand Rapids during my final years in college. After graduating, I was at a point where I didn’t see much more growth or opportunity in Grand Rapids and wanted to see what else I could do and what there was to offer somewhere else. Hearing about the Madison art scene and my partner thinking about going back to school in Madison, it felt like the perfect time to move and continue to grow both our careers. When I moved to Madison and witnessed the local pop up markets, it made me think, “well maybe I can participate in a market”. I turned some illustrations of mine into prints, painted some magnets with wooden circles and acrylic paint, and gathered up my stickers and paintings for my first market. I borrowed a pop up tent from a friend, hit up thrift stores and whatever I could find in my apartment for displays, and printed some signs about who I was and what I was selling. I didn’t anticipate how much others would enjoy my work, so over time it grew more and more, as did my confidence towards my products I would make. It felt like I was simply making stuff that I enjoyed and others felt the same way.

My current products that I sell are paper prints, bookmarks, hand painted magnets, recipe cards, stickers, greeting cards, mugs, and the occasionally tote bag and t shirt designs. Much of my work focuses on stuff that brings me joy, such as nature, animals, cartoons, pop culture, and food. After doing pop up markets for over 3 years now, I’m able to support myself full time. I would describe my work as “something for everyone” and “made with love and imagination”.

Something I would like to let other artists know, especially if you’re wanting to participate in markets and don’t know where and how to start out is this:

1.) Start out small – both with inventory & what you use for displays. See what works for you and sells before committing to a large quantity of inventory. I learned this the hard way. You don’t need big fancy displays or signage right off the bat. Get creative with what you have lying around your home, borrow from a friend or family member, and what you can find at your local thrift stores. You want to see first if this is something you even enjoy doing before you commit and let it grow over time. Your wallet will thank you.

2.) Stay true to yourself as a creative and make stuff that makes YOU happy and something you would buy yourself. Your audience will see that and fans will come through.

3.) Connect with other makers. You can learn a lot from others and get insight on the other markets happening, learn tips & tricks, along with developing some memorable friendships.

4.) Look at every market more than just a financial gain. You can meet some wonderful people in the community, make some great connections, and get your name out there.

5.) Have a range of products with different price points. Art can be enjoyed by everyone and I think it’s important for art to be accessible.

6.) And never forget — art is a process, so enjoy it! If you aren’t enjoying it and having fun, something needs to change.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

A book that has given me some helpful insight on my business would be ” 16th edition: Handbook Pricing & Ethical Guidelines”. It is packed with information on business practices, professional relationships, legal rights, pricing guidelines, and so much more.

Also, check out what your favorite artists or fellow makers are sharing online, whether it would be on their social media posts/highlights, website, or newsletter. You would be amazed on how much beneficial information people are willingly sharing for free online. They’re doing it because they want to help YOU.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I torn my upper trapezius in November of 2023, I had to stop everything that I was doing in order to heal. It was very difficult to put so many things to a halt, like my business, and all the creative projects that I wanted to achieved, but I’m glad I did. You need to put your mental and physical health first before your business. You matter. It’s okay to take a break and step away.

Your body will thank you and your customers will understand. This is your reminder to stretch!! I recommend getting the book “Draw Stronger: Self-Care For Cartoonists and Other Visual Artists” and doing some yoga.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stoutmegan.com
• Instagram: @simplystout
• Other: Online store: shopsimplystout.bigcartel.com

Image Credits

For photo credit, it would go to Crimson Sun Studios / https://www.crimsonsunstudios.com.

(Photos by Crimson are of me in my office smiling against my desk and of me painting)