Megan Carty Art creates new feminine collection of slides with I-Slide

Hey!!

I’m so excited to share that I’ve create a whole collection of floral slides for I-Slide! I got to go into their headquarters for a bit and paint a pair of slides and discuss what my work means to me and how I want to impact others. And THEN I got to design a collection of slides with my artwork! What a wonderful experience, thank you so much I-Slide!!! (I love how these bring a much needed feminine touch to their assortment! Yay!) Go HERE to shop the collection! They won’t be available forever, so grab your pair now!

Watch and listen below as I talk about my battle with depression and how my artwork helps get the word out about mental health awareness.

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!

How to deal with creative burnout

Hi friends!

Dave Conrey with The Fresh Rag Show podcast interviewed me a few weeks ago...we discussed my battles with creative burnout and what I did to fight it and win! This particular interview is the last in a trilogy where he discusses burnout with 3 different artists...one is going through it now, one has gone through it and switched gears, and then one (me) has gone through it and came back with a new strategy. All are great listens and I think will help anyone going through a "what the hell am I doing right now?" issue.  Listen to my interview which aired today HERE.

Don't wait too long because Dave will eventually take down old episodes and you will only have access as a Patreon subscriber (so, either listen now or sign on through Patreon to listen to ALL of Fresh Rag's awesome and informative episodes).

I'd like to add this tidbit that I didn't discuss in my interview. I discussed finding my purpose (to bring happiness to others in my own way using paint and happy colors.) But I didn't talk about how I came to that. I've battled depression most of my life and it's an up-and-down journey. I know that surrounding myself with things I love and appreciate helps me feel a sense of joy when things are hard. As an artist, I can help uplift others through positive work I create. It's not a lot, but it's something I CAN do. If I can soothe someone or help make a space bright; then I feel like it's a win. I'm using my skills and talents to help others. I've been on the dark side and visit it often enough. So, I see it as an honor to hold someone else's hand when they need it too.

I just wanted to say that. :)

Meditation, Stress and Depression: Painting Abstracts helps!

Hi friends!

I have a new line of abstract paintings that I'm so thrilled with. I definitely plan to make more. They are 18x24 watercolor on watercolor paper. I made them during times of meditation...I would clear my mind and focus on music that had chimes in it (the sort of thing you might listen to while having a massage) and I would just sit. Then, I'd dip my brush in the paint that "spoke" to me and just let it work on the paper as it wanted. I would watch the water and the paint dance together as it flowed down the page. It was quite relaxing. I would introduce another color that called to me and see how it would work itself into the mix. It was a slow process but a deliberate one. It can be hard to sit and watch when you just want to get your brush in there and smoosh things around! The magic is in the stillness.

When I am feeling stressed it can be a trigger for my chronic depression. So, to be proactive, I try to dial down my stress level through calming meditation. The paint, paper, and water help my brain go silent (and take a nice break!) while I focus on the painting process. My mind becomes still and the chatter becomes silent. Let me tell you, it is a real life-saver for me. Does it replace my depression medication? No. But, it addresses my symptom of stress head-on when I need it to. It's good as gold. 

If you suffer from anxiety or stress, I highly recommend you try a soothing activity that will keep your brain still...painting is one way. Adult coloring books have become popular for this reason. Knitting, sewing, embroidery are other things that soothe too! Quieting the chatter in your mind is essential to a productive and steady life. I hope you'll give it a whirl and let me know how it goes!