Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Kazy-garey

Hi Megan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

Well, to be honest, as much as I’d like to say my journey started at a young age, that would be a little bit of a lie. When I was young I did have an affinity for drawing and coloring like many young kids do, however I let that part of me slip away for a very long time. Unfortunately for most of us life just happens to get in the way and we sometimes forget about things we once loved. This is what happened to me, for almost 2 decades drawing and painting never crossed my mind until the world stopped in 2020.
As we all know during covid we all had to get creative in finding new ways to entertain ourselves with most places closed and no where to go. I delved deep into my art, being it drawing and painting or writing songs and playing music with my husband for our band Peach Vomit.
Music had already been a constant in my life for about 5 years, but something still seemed to be missing. Around this time I found myself spending a lot of time watching YouTube and somehow ended up down the art worm hole and I fell in love all over again.
I grabbed myself a cheap set of paints and a few canvas boards and I was on my way.
I spent almost every day of 2020 making it my goal to draw or paint at LEAST one thing every day. That year I filled up my first sketchbook and painted so many things for friends and family that Christmas.

I spent a lot of time delving into playing with color and harsh lines, landscapes, illustrations and just all around experimenting. Basically anything that came to my mind I was willing to try my hand at it. I feel like I truly discovered my “style” at that time, but I also don’t like to box myself in. I paint what comes to my mind, any style. There were however some set backs in accepting when experiments didn’t turn out exactly as planned, such as life. However, these “failures” made me see my art in a different light. Instead of seeking out all of the things in the artwork I didn’t like, I’d try to seek out the ones that have and find a way to love what I’ve created. Very much like humans, all art is created uniquely and doesn’t have to please everyone’s pallate. That’s the beautiful thing about art, one person may absolutely despise your art, meanwhile another adores it. There will always be someone out there that see the beauty that others don’t.

I spent the next year painting like a mad woman and ended up piling up quite a bit of paintings. I loved them all but did not have room. It was around this time that I had started incorporating local artist vendors into the punk shows I booked for the local area to offer more exposure that’s I became good friends with another incredible artist, Jayanne Aaron, who at the time was also running a music and art venue in WhiteWater Wi called The Greene House. This lovely human convinced me to vend and put my art out in the world. She gave me that push of support that gave me the confidence I need to at least try. I sold my first original to a stranger that day and cleared my vending costs. It was a success!!!!

Since this point in my art journey I have done nothing but learn and grow not only as an artist but a budding” small business owner”. I have met and shared amazing friendships with other local artists, as well as artists around the country thanks to social media. I am so grateful for every step in this journey.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Honestly, I don’t truly feel I ever had struggles on this journey due to all of the incredible support I have received from friends and family. I feel that the hardest struggle some days is just getting the paint on the canvas. Art block is so real and a huge setback at times.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am a jack of all trades when it comes to being a creative. I always have several plates spinning at once. Believe it or not I am a musician first and foremost. In these parts people know me as Mama Vomit. I write lyrics and front an incredible punk band my husband and I created together about 7 years ago. Through Peach Vomit I have been able to truly see the beauty of what community can do for you and your art. I have played in several states on several stages and met so many incredibly talented individuals, artists, musicians and creatives. I discovered a family through music and art I never knew I even had! I also put on local shows for the community with my husband through our production company Shitshow Productions.

I am also an artist. I LOVE to paint. Sitting in the studio after a long day of work is the greatest feeling in the world. I get to bring color to such a gloomy world, especially right now when so many of us are terrified what may happen come January.

You ask me what I am most proud of, but honestly I can’t pick just one thing. Being a woman who is queer,ADHD and bipolar, I feel like any bit of visibility I can achieve is an honor not only for myself but others like me. I am proud that people own my art and my music. I am proud that I can use my platform for good and speak on and support things that I am passionate about and support the people I love.

I think just being myself already sets me apart from others simply for the fact that we are all like snowflakes, so incredibly unique. However, I feel like my love for art, music and my community sets me apart. I would do anything for my community, without it I wouldn’t be where I am today.

How do you think about luck?

I have been incredibly lucky in the fact that I have had such a strong and loving support system throughout my journey. Not matter the obstacles I know they will always have my back.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @glittertrashart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087494649774&mibextid=kFxxJD
• Other: www.peachvomit.bandcamp.com