5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About Becoming a Professional Artist

Authority Magazine interviewed me about my life as an artist and what I wish I’d been told when I first started out. You can read it here.

Finding Your Style: How Artists Can Connect With Themselves and their Audience

During my journey of becoming a full time abstract painter, I found it took years to find my own unique voice as an artist. I was so influenced by what other artists were making and found myself floundering and trying so many different things. Nothing felt right and I always felt so rudderless and confused. I had the SKILLS I needed, but I didn’t feel like I was connecting with my own work or with others. It got very depressing.

Over time, I finally stopped looking at what others were doing and started to let myself get my own ideas and express them as I felt called. I did what FELT GOOD in my body. I focused on feeling loose, free, and relaxed. I wanted to ENJOY making my work. I wanted it to feel like MINE. I finally started making work that felt cohesive, fun, unique, and expressive. Authentically MINE! What made things different? What turned the tide?

Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about my paintings and how they come to exist. There is a definite channeling with an energy…some call it Spirit, The Holy Spirit, The Universe, Source, The Muse, our Guides. Whatever you call it, I feel it and intuitively translate and express what shows up in my brain. It’s a “Great Mystery” and a great act of Faith to listen to this information, translate it, and then share it for others to connect with; thus giving them space for their OWN spiritual moments.

I like to call that crucial process the Creative Circle of Inspiration.

It is all about a cycle of ACTION and looks something like this:

1. Wanting: This is an invisible internal yearning to create. When we ignore the call of yearning, we become anxious, unfulfilled, depressed, sad, and ill. The yearning is there as a special calling that MUST be answered.

2. Listening: You actively are mindful to hear inspiration come to you on a walk or drive. Perhaps during a meditation or while in the shower an idea pops up. Maybe you are brainstorming with a sketchbook and pen and the ideas flow to you. These ideas are meant for you!

3. Responding as making/translating: You hear the call of inspiration and you take the ideas you’ve been given and turn them into something tangible through research and sketches and the actual creation of the THING. It’s an evolving process that can involve experimentation, time, attempts, and effort.

4. Sharing: This is the step where you release your best finished work into the world for others to enjoy. Perhaps you share through a music site, or a gallery, or on social media. Sharing invites others to interact with our vision and our ideas. It’s crucial to the Circle of Inspiration.

5. Connecting: This becomes the spark of inspiration that occurs when others understand, value, and resonate with what you have made. It will not happen with everyone as it’s a special moment not meant for all. This almost “chemical” reaction starts the Creative Circle of Inspiration with a NEW person. And thus the process continues on and on like a spiritual game of telephone.

This is why creating custom commissions/works for hire for other people can be so challenging. It’s why copying other artists feels so empty. We are not entering our Creative Circle. We are translating the vision FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S Circle of Inspiration…our own wanting or vision is absent. We are not doing our own listening or connecting. We cannot really SHARE as it’s not our own unique vision. It’s not a mutual connection, and that MUTUAL connection is what artists are addicted to and NEED to feel fulfilled. The incomplete creative circle leaves the artist back at step one in a state of wanting.

If you feel stuck in your creative practice or feel lost and unfulfilled, look back at this list to see what steps might be missing from YOUR Creative Circle of Inspiration. You very might well be able to figure out what needs to be addressed.

Finding your own voice as an artist

Today I took down the landscape paintings section of my online gallery. It was such a hard decision as I put my heart and soul into those pieces! But, the truth is, I don’t want to make landscapes as my focus and having them in my shop was confusing for everyone. I was still getting requests for landscape commissions when deep down I don’t really want to be doing them in the future. They just don’t feel true to what I want to express deep down. Truthfully, part of me was keeping them up to show what my capabilities are…totally feeding my own egoic needs. I used to worry people would see my abstract work and think I don’t have “real” painting skills (the technical realism skills I learned in college and after a lifetime of practice). I figured if they didn’t see what I was capable of, then they wouldn’t believe I was a “real” artist. That was my own fear-based mindset talking! It’s none of my business what other people think or believe about my art and how I make it. I can’t control that. My job, as a successful professional artist, is to create work that is fresh, unique, and straight from my own vision. I have had to come to the difficult but valuable understanding that I cannot and should not please everyone. When we try to please everyone, we dull our shine. We become bland. And then NOBODY likes what we do! We have to stand for something and go ALL IN on it. That attracts the people who love what we do! If someone says to me “I don’t like or understand abstracts” I know not to take it personally. It has nothing to do with me or my work. It’s their own personal preference and there’s nothing wrong with that. I simply say to them in response: “That’s ok, I make my work for the people who love it!” It’s very disarming and makes them feel more accepting of what I make. It has taken me so many years to find my own unique voice and the bravery to express it and shine a light on it. I won’t take that for granted and it’s my job to carve a unique path that’s never been done before. I need to take the “weird” way. The one less obvious. The challenge in that is very satisfying and full of lessons.

New Abstract Expressionist Paintings by Megan Carty

We all know I have a huge love for color (hello, floral paintings!!!!). I also love working quickly with lots of movement and gesture. This is why the style of abstract expressionism is so appealing…the spontaneous mark-making…the color combinations…the line-work…the freedom…

In addition to my floral collection, I’m ALSO creating a large collection of abstract pieces that allow me to go wild with color and loose brushwork. I’ve been finding inspiration on Pinterest in the fashion boards. There are so many unique color combinations that are exciting in the world of luxury fashion and I’m taking my favorites to translate to canvas. I’m bringing fashion to the home!

It’s no secret our clothes help us express who we are and how we want to show up in the world and I’m taking that same feeling and applying it to my paintings. We can feel fierce and chic and badass in our homes too!

New Abstract Floral Paintings by Megan Carty

I’ve been refining my abstract floral paintings to have more layers, depth, and abstraction. I’m focusing on larger sizes for them as well, which has been a lot more fun than I thought it would be. The process has forced me to slow down, be more deliberate and to think ahead. Rather than feeling arduous, this feels very therapeutic and cathartic on completion. I’ve been using darker background colors to add drama that makes it more fun. Going forward I plan to do a big collection of these and my other body of abstract expressionist works. Both subjects bring me so much joy and excitement! Which is your favorite of mine: Florals or abstracts?

Uplifting Quote: Deep Breathing for Relaxation

One technique I use when I am super-frustrated or annoyed about something is to push my breath out as hard as possible for as long as I can (like blowing out a candle…but on steroids). Then, I take a breath in VERY slowly and count to 7 while I think “In with love.” Next, I breathe OUT slowly with another count to 7 or more until ALLLLLL the air is gone and then some. With that, I think “Out with hate” (I will say it a few times as I breathe out.) I do this over and over until I feel so calm and relaxed. It sounds cheesy, but it actually works and I do it all the time. It’s also the method I use when I’m having trouble falling asleep. The slow breathing really forces my heart to steady and keeps my brain from racing. It forces your physical body to slow down and the next thing you know, you are waking up from a sound sleep!

Anyway, don’t let negative energy get stuck inside! Send it out frequently so it doesn’t build up and cause dis-ease (and disease!).

Preppy and Bright Abstract Art-The Sketch

Study by Megan Carty, Copyright 2019 by the artist. It is illegal to take and use this image.

My newest abstract art collection I’m working on all started with this little study in my sketchbook. I’m in looooooove with the bright pops of color and the simplicity of the composition. I purposely restrained my use of colors so that the piece would make more of a statement in a room. The colors have enough breathing room to really sing, stand out, and be bold. I’m doing a TON of new work like this...both on paper and on canvas. AND I’ve got LARGE pieces coming…perfect for a mantle or over a couch or in a dining room. BOOM!!!

Art Depicting My Mind with Depression and Anxiety

My latest work is abstract but has a message. I’m exploring what it feels like inside my brain while living and coping with depression and anxiety. How it isn’t always just black and bleak. It is complicated and full of color, confusion, decay, growth, and beauty. There is optimism, light, and energy. There is fear, desperation and stress. There is dismay, chatter, loneliness and overwhelm and it all exists together in a sort of murky soup. (for lack of a better word). 

I create a tangle of color, shape and line to convey this confusion of life and decay to the viewer in a relatable way. Surprisingly, the end result is something I hope to be pretty and interesting to look at. To be relatable and delightful despite having a morbid undercurrent. Like it has a hidden secret there in plain view…a secret shared between artist and viewer. What we see on the surface isn’t always the end of the story; it’s just the very beginning. 

Fear and Making Abstract Art

Making abstract work used to be very intimidating. Back when it mattered to me that people thought I had “good art skills” I wanted them to think “Wow, THAT looks just like a tree!” (you know what I mean) I didn’t want anyone to say things like “My 2 year old could make that!” or “UGH, THAT’S not art!!!” It’s not easy to share and show the deepest thoughts and feelings I have when I am painting a sunny beach scene. I appreciate and am proud of the landscapes I’ve made and often-times I have the urge to make them just for the sheer pleasure of it. There is a place for that! Connecting to others using emotional concepts has required a vulnerability and bravery to make work that isn’t so recognizable right away. It has taken a real sense of personal mission and self belief to make this new work…I’ve had to overcome a lot of stomach aches and headaches! I doubt I will ever get used to the feeling of sticking my neck out on a chopping block that is each new piece. But the sense of personal fulfillment keeps me coming back again and I have to suppose I’m on the right track.

Bad Art School Experience

Back in art school I once had a professor physically tear up a project of mine into little pieces in front of the whole class. It was a humiliating experience that I let thread itself into the fabric of my being. I felt like I wasn’t worthy of expressing MY ideas. That what I had to say wasn’t important. I felt singled out under a spotlight with a big sign that said LOSER and IMPOSTER. 22 years and a lot of growth after that toxic experience I’ve come to realize that we don’t have to hold on to the things that have happened to us. The energy during that critique was HIS energy, NOT MINE. I don’t have to hang onto the experience like some sort of trophy out to poison me. I gave that energy back. The same is true for all the negative and traumatic happenings in my life…they happened and I learned valuable things from them. And they are safely in the past. Inner peace comes from living in the NOW and embracing who we are HERE in this second. I can choose to LET GO the happenings that aren’t currently serving me and it has made all the difference in my mindset, beliefs, and overall well-being. I urge you to think about the things from your past you might be clinging to with resentment and anger and consider severing ties with that poison that holds you back from being who you are meant to be.

Abstract Floral Paintings

Now that my solo show of New England coastal paintings is hanging up, I've found my cravings to paint abstracts again have taken over. I'm not finished with landscapes forever; I just like to explore the other side of my creativity. I get such satisfaction from painting scenery I love and recognize; and then I get such a free feeling from painting in an imaginative way that speaks to my soul. 

I have a love for sassy color, line, and shape...and opposites. Dark vs. Light. Massive vs. Delicate. Clutter vs. Open Space. Harmony vs. Dissonance ...making work that evokes botanicals (plants and flowers) really fits the bill. I get to use ALL the bright colors, delicate lines, biomorphic shapes...it's beyond fun. And working abstractly allows me the freedom to make my own choices...to let the painting create itself from my inner muse. It's always a surprise what appears before me on the blank panel! My goal is to make paintings that are statement pieces: sophisticated, unique, tailored, crisp, and PRETTY. (Yes! I said the "P" word!)

Coastal Conversations Art Show by Megan Carty

My "Coastal Conversations" art show opening was a true excitement and I'm so thrilled my work is hanging in such a beautiful space! It was amazing to see my landscape paintings hanging all together; you can really see my artistic painting style throughout the work. I am all finished with my landscape cravings for now and plan to revisit them in the future after I explore my abstract cravings for a while!

Visit  1200 Centre St. Boston (Roslindale), MA...The Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. Follow the signs to park by the visitors' entrance and the gallery is just inside and down the hall to the left. 

It will hang until August 3rd 2018; check it out while you can! Art is available for purchase in my art shop.

New England Contemporary Abstract Landscape Paintings by Megan Carty

Hot diggity-dog! Spring begins soon here in the States! (Of course, it stays snowy in MY neck of the woods until almost the end of April!) I don’t know about you, but I like spring because I start to “awaken” with energy as I leave hibernation mode and start ramping up activities to reach my goals. Are you revving your engine and ramping up too?

The idea of spring has triggered new growth for ME. As you can see (especially if you follow me on Instagram!) my landscape painting style is continuously evolving into my own…more toward abstraction…little by little. 

TICKLING YOUR BRAIN? WHAT’S THE DEAL?

Paintings are more interesting to look at and are more dynamic when you AREN’T given all the information.

*gasp!* 

This “tickles your brain” and allows your mind to fill in the blanks from your own experiences so you can make the piece your own. 

In that way your own memories and emotions allow you become an active participant in the art! 

Cool, right?

I’m not as interested in capturing the New England landscape exactly as I see it (we have cameras to do that!) and would rather challenge myself to capture the gesture, energy and mood of a place in as simple a way as possible (using color, shape, line and value).

You would be surprised how DIFFICULT this is! I’m trained to SEE with great detail and notice every little color shift as I try to record it. Now, I’m trying to turn OFF that fussy tendency and simplify, simplify, simplify. It takes me out of my comfort zone but makes the art more exciting and electric.

I’m trying to SUGGEST details rather than show them. It can be hard to let go, loosen up and trust. Kinda like the advice given to writers: keep it simple and say it in as few words as possible!

New work is flowing along and I plan on releasing all new paintings (both small and large in size) soon. Sign up for my email newsletter "Collector's Circle" to get news and find out about exact release dates in advance.  I’m so excited about these…I can say they are nostalgic, gritty, honest, and show the more fickle side of the New England land. They are close to my heart and I believe they will resonate in meaningful ways for others. 

I’m excited to share this evolution with you! As always, thank you so much for coming along on this journey with me. Please do reach out and comment if you have any questions about my process or the art. I’ll be happy to answer! 

How it feels when you want to end your life

Hi friends!

Today I'm taking a break from painting in recognition of suicide prevention week. As you may already know from my "about" page, I've suffered from depression for 23 years so far and have been suicidal a fraction of that time; mainly in the last few years. This is a big "why" as to what my painting practice means to my self-support/healing and to my collectors.

I've been thinking a lot lately about my friends who have lost loved ones close to them to suicide and my heart aches for them. I see a lot out in the media for suicide awareness that discusses how we need to "know how to look for the signs" and how we need to be there for our loved ones and tell them we love them. And I agree. But I feel called and compelled to weigh in and say that people suffering from suicidal thoughts need to feel EMPOWERED to seek help for themselves. They need to feel like it is ok to tell close loved ones about their feelings and needs, and that they can go get help from a doctor or psychiatrist. People need to recognize the warning signs within THEMSELVES that something is wrong and that the disease of depression has taken root (and can worsen if untreated!) A knight in shining armor will not come save you from a "suicidal cliff"; you have to fight the dragon yourself and you CAN. You do NOT have to suffer in silence and fear burdening someone else with your "issues." You are sick!!! It is an illness that can have severe consequences and outcomes! You cannot sit around and wait for someone to recognize something might be off with you or read your mind.  In short, people are happy to help. Especially when they love you. But you have to TELL them about it!

In this video, I discuss very candidly what it feels like when you are in a suicidal mindset so it may shed some light as to a reason WHY. I can only speak for myself, but I wanted to share in case it helps someone else.

I also see a lot of loved ones left behind who blame themselves or feel regretful that they weren't "more helpful" to their friend in some way...that perhaps that person might still be here if they had "done more." I can't imagine the pain of that burden!!!!! And I'm here to say that, in my experience, that is not the case. When I felt like ending my life, it was coming from a place of love and sacrifice (as you will hear me discuss in the video). People say "how can you be so selfish to kill yourself and leave your family behind!?" and I get it. I discuss this in detail in the video and hope it brings a new light and lifts a bit of burden from your heart.

Thinking of you all and wishing you love and light!!!! Let's end this stigma!!!!!

New abstract nautical paintings on the way!

We just spent a week at Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay off the coast of Portland, Maine. It was a truly magical time to watch the kids explore and discover in nature! I will share about our trip over the next few posts but had to share these few images with you! I went with the intention to gather inspiration for my next abstract coastal paintings...they are going to feature colors and line from the crisp Maine coastline.

I found inspiration imagery in droves! Just smelling the fresh sea air was enough to send me to glory; but the sights and sounds (oh, those lapping ocean waves!) were just as wonderful. I'm so excited to get started on this collection and bring it to life for my fellow sea-lovers to enjoy. These are going to be sleek, classy, serene and unique. Unlike anything else out there.

Above are a few pictures from the day we collected glass from Sea Glass Beach in Diamond Cove. The kids couldn't get enough and we went back several times... I fell in love with the views from the beach and the beautiful deep shades of green in the sea water. The seaweed was a bright yellow ochre and there was sea grass in bright greens...all mixed with shells, rocks, and glass. It was hard to leave this spot but we have a lot of colorful souvenirs to remind us of our visit!

Capturing the mood and feeling through paintings will be a fun challenge. Let it begin!

How suffering from depression affects my art practice

Suffering from clinical depression/bipolar disorder means long stretches of normalcy interrupted by stretches of flare ups where I'm overwhelmed, hopeless, empty, exhausted, physically sore, manically angry, confused and frustrated. I'm running through days in quicksand. I talk a lot about this in my Instagram Stories but wanted to share here and help chip away at the stigma of this illness. If you battle this disease, I feel you. I've been through 23 years of this and I know this will blow by. I don't know when, but it will.

I'm maintaining my medication regime and doing all the things I can to heal this episode. This informs my life, my relationships and my artwork...the bubbly person that is my soul wants to stay in joy and show it to the world. My art allows me to do this...it still comes out even on my darkest days. It is always there reminding me that I'm ok and I just have to share my light. Some days it is all I have to give.

Side note: because of this flare up I've had to stop #the100dayproject because I need to focus on healing and stability. But I'm still cheering on those who are participating! I gave it my best!!!

If you suffer from depression or other long-term illness: You are not alone and you can feel free to comment below. I'm listening!

Reflecting on the past year

Happy Holidays my friends!!! Whew, did this year go fast or what? Whenever December rolls around, I like to reflect back on what happened that was good or what needs improvement as I figure out what my priorities and wishes are for 2017. This past year my biggest goal was to zero in on what I most love to paint and I’ve happily accomplished that! I’ve also built and tweaked my website and shop and have really put focused attention on how I can help my collectors and potential collectors. I’ve seen a lot of growth this year; so THANK YOU for that! For 2017 I plan to focus on translating my new abstract landscapes on paper into larger works on canvas and panel... lots of variety in sizes and price points. I also plan to increase my commission slots as I work to get more healing art into the hands that need it! With the turmoil going on in our social climate these days it is more important than ever to surround ourselves with beauty and positivity.

Have you determined what your plans are for the coming year? Feel free to share them with me in the comments!

Here are some of my priorities for 2017: 

1. Become a more engaged mother for my children when I am not working
2. Focus a bit more on making our home a cozy sanctuary for my family
3. Lose 20lbs and get fit while gaining lots of energy
4. Get more of my soothing abstract landscape paintings out into the world!

What was successful about 2016? Feel free so share your wins with me in the comments!

For me it was:

1. Being chosen by Improper Bostonian Magazine as “Best of Boston: Wedding Keepsake” for my custom wedding bouquet paintings
2. Getting featured on the Glitter Guide giving advice to work-at-home parents (as well as a studio tour!)
3. Having a write-up about me and my work in our local newspaper The Nashoba Valley Times
4. Having a feature in the December issue of artMAINE Magazine
5. Getting to create several paintings-turned-prints exclusively for Maine Cottage Catalog.
6. Selling my work at various boutiques; especially the online shop Loom & Kiln
7. Figuring out my favorite painting style and subject-matter…knowing what makes me most happy to make.
8. Getting to create custom commissions for so many special people…making work that is meaningful and special for someone else is a real honor!

I encourage you to reflect back on your wins of the year and celebrate them. It’s all about the journey and we need to enjoy all the little things along the way! That’s what life is all about! Thank you so much for sharing in my journey this year...I have felt so much support and encouragement from this community and I wish you the happiest holiday and New Year! Enjoy, be well, and stay positive!

5 Tips for Balancing Motherhood and Your Business

I'm so proud and excited to tell you I've written an article on balancing work and motherhood for Glitter Guide! It's a topic close to my heart and it's something I juggle every single day. Wanting to be the best mother I can be can sometimes clash with my desires to be a highly productive artist. Each day the balance and focus changes with my goals and it's simply not easy! But I've learned a lot in the past almost eight years of parenting and I'm sharing my discoveries with you!

The article also features an exclusive look at my new studio space! Woot Woot!

Check it out my tips for balancing work and motherhood here!

Painting through Intuition

I'm digging the direction my work has been going lately...abstract but looks like a landscape...I try to convey a sense of time and mood through my use of color. They are like vignettes or memories of a space in time. When I sit down to paint I am usually in a peaceful state where I just finished meditating and I continue that peaceful energy into my painting practice. I look at my colors and then start with whatever I'm most drawn to. I don't plan ahead usually; although sometimes I will see a color palette I love in an inspirational image and I will aim to use those colors. I like to just let intuition take control and see how the piece unfolds on its own. Sometimes working this way makes me nervous, but it's my way of practicing faith...faith in my intuition and in my vision.

Bookkeeping stress

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the tiniest tasks. Like the stack of bills waiting to be paid and dealt with. UGH. I also owe sales tax to the state and have to tackle all my business tax stuff. But I've got so many questions, which leads to stress and worry. "Just call an accountant and get some help!" I tell myself. sigh. I guess it's just the point of it. I have to pay MORE money to sort something I wish I could just figure out for myself for FREE. These  types of things send me into a tailspin into moodiness and panic. I real trigger for my depression. What can I do? Well, I suppose I can try to research my questions on my own and see if that makes me feel better. And I can have my husband help my daughter with her big school project because I can't help her AND do my research. Every day as a business owner and a parent means making choices between one thing or another and it never ends. Bottom line: I refuse to let my bookkeeping concerns keep me from creating my work and following my dreams. I'm going to break down that wall and get good at this stuff, darnit! Positive mindset, positive mindset, positive mindset.