We had the good fortune of connecting with Meagan Lafferty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meagan, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Creating on a consistent basis has been my most helpful habit. I strive to do something creative every day whether it’s working on larger projects or simply drawing in my sketchbook. This routine has lead me to bigger and better ideas and projects, as well as improving my skill set!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always had a magical outlook on life, one that I wish to share with others. My optimism is contagious and definitely comes through in my artwork. Nature, spirituality, alternative realities, and dynamic patterns are all major themes in my artwork. I have experience in several different areas such as printmaking, painting, ceramics, 3D printing and woodworking. My proudest achievement is that I recently won a grant to create a sculpture for the University of North Georgia. It took a lot of hard choices to get where I am today. My family wanted me to be a doctor and at first I felt like I had to do it. It took a lot of soul searching to allow myself to choose a different path. After two years of changing majors and long discussions with my family, they finally accepted my choice to follow my dreams to be an artist. My professors were very encouraging and helped me grow creatively and learn how to navigate life after college. I made most of my connections in school as I was a studio assistant for the sculpture classes and also worked for the 3D printing lab. College allowed me to be a part of an amazing artistic community that opened so many doors for me. Every creative should be a part of some community in which they can learn, grow and share ideas with others freely. I hope my story can encourage others to follow their hearts no matter how scary it might feel. My artwork encompasses these values as well as an uplifting spirit that may open the hearts of those looking.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My friends love art as much as I do and I live near Atlanta so I would definitely take them to the city! We would walk or bike the belt line to enjoy the city views while also seeing amazing artwork along the way including murals and sculptures from various artists. We would eat at ponce city market since it is along the way. Then we would visit the High Museum of art where we can see artwork and one of the oldest trees in Atlanta (Ginkgo balboa-my favorite!). We would take a trip to Piedmont park for some soccer or roller blading. A visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens would be a must! Plants are my passions and a constant muse(my best friend feels the same! We would definitely visit East Atlanta and have dinner at Argosy. While there we would also have lunch at Siam for some curry! Then we would eat at Gaja for a delicious Koran bbq dinner. There are a lot of murals in the area to admire! Later we would drive up to Raven cliffs falls in North Georgia for a hike and some camping. The waterfalls and mountain laurels are a wonder to see.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are several people that have helped me grow and succeed in life including family and friends, however I believe I would not be where I am today without the support from my professor, Erin McIntosh. Erin was my mentor and professor for several years in college. She is an abstract painter and professor at the University of North Georgia. She taught me everything I know about painting. Erin always encouraged me to apply for juried shows, conferences, and more. Her encouragement helped me win scholarships, get into the CURCA research conference, and gain experience outside of the classroom. Through taking her classes I also met talented friends who always encouraged me as well. I feel very lucky to have so many loving people in my life!

Email: Meagalaughcreations@etsy.com
Instagram: Meagalaughcreations
Facebook: Meagan Lafferty

Image Credits
Meagan Lafferty, Erin McIntosh, Halle Castille

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