For this W O M A N session, I had the chance to speak with the incredibly talented artist, Megan Jones. Here’s what happened…

1. Who are you and what do you do? 

I am Megan Elizabeth Jones, an artist. An acrylic painter mostly, but I’ve recently started experimenting with digital art… and i’m in love. I’m always taking on custom work, feel free to email me your ideas. Let’s talk! (Meganelizajoness@gmail.com) 

You can find my work on Instagram @meggggzzzzzzzzz (obnoxious, i know) and you can purchase original paintings at megzart.storenvy.com or directly through me on Instagram. 

2. Your work is nothing like anything I’ve ever seen and that’s why I’m so excited to have you here talking about your art. You exaggerate features in your pieces pretty often, is there reasoning behind that or how did you come about creating such a look? 

I’ve never understood why anyone would want to paint an object, a person, anything, as they are.. as they exist in nature… you have the tools to make it crazy and unique. Not to say that there isn’t value in realism painting, because there is. But, I would rather play with features, move them around, give one character three eyes, and then give the next only one, play with shapes, play with color. I love to experiment. I cherish art because you can do anything you can think in your head. There are no rules, no one can tell me that i can’t paint a girl with three eyes. 

Eyes have always intrigued me, i can remember drawing eyes all throughout middle and high school on papers and tests. Constantly being told “this isn’t art class, Megan” but it never stopped me. Eyes are just so expressive, i love eyelashes, i love when eyes look moody or bored, glassy and wet. I like when they have huge pupils, small pupils, no pupils, I just love eyes. A forehead looks so naked to me without adding that extra eye. With that being said, i am also very into the spiritualism related to the third eye, a higher consciousness. Enlightenment is really important to me, i try to only put out good energy and good vibes. I strongly believe that you get back what you put out into the world… and if that is positive thoughts and words, then positive things will be returned to you. 

3. Being an artist in your 20s, which is still young, would you say you were inspired in your teens more than now? 

I would definitely say I am more inspired now. I’ve always loved to draw, but in late 2017 is when i think i really got it together. I developed a style, and started putting meaning and love into my work. I don’t think i was ever truly inspired when i would make art in my teens. I would just scribble random things, doodle on math homework. It was just something i would do because i was bored in school. Now i do it because i want to get up and make something that didn’t exist before. I want to use my hands and turn that white canvas into a colorful mess, sign my name at the bottom, and feel accomplished. 

4. Growing up, were you surrounded by any strong female figures? 

Yes absolutely, my mother is and always has been the strongest woman i have ever known. We were very close when i was growing up. My mom was always extremely encouraging of any endeavor i ever wanted to dive into. I always remember her being filled with love, hope, motivation, and compliments… and she is still just the same to this day. She’s always saying uplifting things, and giving off good energy. I don’t live with her anymore but we still talk everyday, and she is very supportive of my art. She even has several of my paintings hanging in her office at work, and recently helped me get the tools to start getting into digital art. Last summer she gave me the push and encouragement to put my art out there, and sell paintings at an art show. I couldn’t ask for a better mother and role model. If you bring up my art she will go on and on about the scissors i drew in kindergarten that my teacher saved because they were so amazing. Hahaha. Love you mom!

5. From somebody who follows your journey as an artist, I’ve seen many pieces where you recreate TV show characters, movie characters and more. They are insanely impressive, but what’s your secret when recreating so many well known visuals? It seems to come natural for you.

Thank you! 

I usually like to create original characters, but sometimes i like to reimagine a character from my childhood. Or if I’ve recently watched a movie and feel inspired to make something related to that. I think my secret would be to get the essence of the character without making a copy of it. You know who it is, but it looks very different from the original character or cartoon. I like to look at what a certain character looks like, and then put that image away and let my brain fill in whatever my eyes forget. 

I definitely prefer to pull something completely out of my brain and put it onto canvas. However, painting something familiar can really jumpstart your brain and get your own creativity flowing.

6. Inspiration. Do you search for it or do you let it find you? Who are some of your favorite artists, writers or creators?

I almost always feel inspired to create. Art is all around you, everywhere you go. I am so observant, if i see an interesting painting on the wall at a restaurant, I’m instantly in the mood to make something of my own. 

Ah! my favorite artists? I have so many, i love so many different styles of art, here are a few artists on Instagram that i love. Definitely worth checking out. There are sooo many more, i just scrolled through my most recent likes to find these. I’m sure I’m forgetting so many that i adore. 

@aallisonwhitee

@zekeslunchbox 

@bronwynlorelei 

@squidvishuss

@magz.art

@llorona.luna 

@robineisenberg 

@chloeleesays 

@not_sorry_art 

@_babycreep_

@villatose

@thunderpuss

@tomatosita

@fieldey 

@artbyblu

@dylandraws 

Can i also give a shout out to Bob Ross? His subject matter is completely different from mine, but his chill vibe and soft voice are everything. I love to put his show on as background noise while I’m painting, i feel like him and i have very similar feelings about painting. You can’t make mistakes, only happy accidents. 

When you hold a paint brush and put it to canvas… Mean every stroke that you make, and do it with confidence. If you don’t like it after you’ve made it, work with it… change it, have patience and try not to get frustrated. I think everyone can take a lesson from his approach to art and creating. 

As far as writers, i am honestly not into reading, at all. I wish i was… i think I’m too visual, i get bored so fast. With that being said, i really love Stephen King. I’ve read a few of his books, and his mind is wild. 

7. You moved from Toledo, Ohio to San Antonio, Texas not so long ago. What has your change of environment done for your creative energy? 

Actually, I have never felt more creative since i moved. Everyday i wake up and i want to create. There is a big art community in this city, and there are always artsy events going on downtown. I feel very fortunate to have found a city that has so much going on all the time. One of my goals for this year is to really get into the San Antonio artist community and meet a lot of new creative people!

8. Since this is the W O M A N sessions, what would you like to tell all of the female readers? 

You can do ANYTHING! Do not let your insecurities hold you back from anything you want to do in life. If you truly want to do something, work hard at it everyday, give it your all… and it will be yours. There is nothing you cannot do, you just have to be committed. Like Bob Ross said “talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do”. Work hard, don’t take yourself too seriously, and remember to laugh. Provide the world good energy, and good energy will come back to you. 

Most importantly, surround yourself with positive people, and positive energy. A flower cannot blossom without sunshine.