ARTIST STATEMENT
I work primarily with a combination of acrylic paint and crayon. I layer my work in stages to create a sense of depth that entices the viewer to come closer then step back. My paintings are based on memories of my childhood and what it was like growing up as a woman and as queer. The paintings shown here are based on several emotions, such as the feminine energy I feel inside me in Growing up Girl, and the bubbling swirling playful energy in Parallels. These works align not only with who I am but who I used to be, and how I present myself. The colors are means to communicate deep intrinsic states of minds to the viewers, while the expressive and bounding strokes of paint and crayon are meant to inspire the viewer’s heartbeat and energy. My work is additionally very process based. I work in stages over the course of weeks on each painting, layering each stroke and contemplating each color and their unity on the canvas. My process is one of reflection and communication with myself so that my internal being is represented authentically on the canvas. These paintings are painted on raw un-stretched canvas to preserve their purity and authentic nature.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
My name is Megan Stephenson, and I am a queer, woman-aligned artist located in Boston, Massachusetts. I was raised in Miami Florida and moved to Boston to complete my undergraduate degree at Boston College. I graduated in 2021 with a degree in English and Studio Art. I am currently getting my Masters in Fine Arts from Lesley University Art + Design program. I have been making art since I was a small child and continue to do so out of my small apartment in Boston, my goal is to become a regularly shown artist in the Boston and New England area while also teaching art and writing at nearby universities.
© Megan Stephenson