We recently connected with Mehgan Jernigan and have shared our conversation below.

Mehgan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most recent project I’ve invested in that is very meaningful to me and my community is volunteering with our local Artwalk committee. From a full rebrand to utilizing my working knowledge of marketing, I’m providing the team with an important facet necessary to create a thriving art culture in the city of Clarksville so that other artists will find space in our community. We are working together to build something that will be a nurturing source for artists and art lovers alike, as well as the businesses we coordinate with.

Mehgan, 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’m a mother of two boys, an artist, writer, and a marketing coordinator. In college, I was planning to major in Interior Design, but after a visual arts class required for an elective, I was introduced to Wassily Kandinsky. This point in my life created a spark for me to dive into my true passion; visual arts. I switched majors to Studio Art and decided to minor in Comparative World Literature and fully submersed myself into my craft. While I’ve always dabbled in art and hand lettering, It wasn’t until about 10 years after graduation that I really found my voice and style as an artist. I primarily work in the abstract, mostly utilizing pen and ink to create geometric compositions heavily focused on value and shape. While this is where my fine art career is focused, I’m also a graphic designer and marketing consultant for an event company. I had an exhibition at Lorenzo Swinton Gallery in a show called Reshape of Etymology July 2024, and for me this a shining moment for my journey and what I am incredibly proud of. I also really am enjoying my volunteer work for Clarksville Artwalk, and we are hoping to eventually become a permanent fixture in the non-profit sector of the art world. My work rebranding the logo was extremely well received and have created marketing to coincide with the updated brand change. Great things to come!

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.

My journey, and many of my colleagues and peers, has been incredible non-linear. Graduating from art school doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be able to work solely as an artist to maintain sustenance in life. For me, understanding that the hustle is sometimes imperative beyond the realm of creating art, as well as sometimes big things come in the years following the excitement and fire after graduation college. Patience and dedication is key, but perseverance is a huge asset to nurture on the journey.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing the world in a different way than people around me is something I treasure about myself. Breaking a beautiful pedestrian bridge down to line, shape, and shadows or stopping to take a photo of some wild mushrooms growing off a broken tree at the bottom of a ravine, art is everywhere. Life offers us such immense beauty that we can enjoy if we are looking with the correct gaze.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mehganrose.art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mehgan.jernigan.18
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehganjernigan/