Meet Meg Aubrey | Fine Art Painter

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

Hi Meg, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in Massachusetts and was always the kid who could draw. I got attention and praise in school for this ability and drawing become part of my identity as well as a creative outlet in my life. I was voted “Most Artistic” in high school and began wondering if this talent/past time could actually become a career. After much thought and the support of my parents I decided to pursue art and was accepted at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence to study Illustration. Studying art in college set me toward a career in art, what that career would be and how I would make a living was an unknown but I knew I had made the right decision.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After completing my BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design I began sending out my art samples and meeting with art directors at magazines and book publishers in Boston and New York. This was in the late 1980″s before the internet so face to face and the mail was the way to get your work in front of those who could offer you jobs. I began with accepting freelance assignment and worked my way up to illustrating childen’s books and working for educational publishers. During these years I got married and had children so I worked from home and was able to juggle motherhood and an art career.

Twenty years into this chosen path I began to want more artistically. I was no longer satisfied with illustrating other people ideas and wanted to challenge myself to see if I could grow as an artist. I made the decision to return to school to pursue my Masters in Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design. At that time I was living in the Atlanta suburbs so I was able to juggle my home life while I pursued a degree in painting. Studying painting changed my life and my art, I discover that I was passionate about presenting my own ideas. My painting concept became the examination of the choices I had made in my adult life and the effect the suburban environment had on myself and the people around me.

After graduation with my MFA in 2009 I was offered a position at SCAD teaching drawing, painting and design. Working with students who are beginning their artistic journey has been satisfying and inspiring. I taught at SCAD for seven years, moved to Texas for a tenured position for six years, then returned to Atlanta and SCAD in 2022.

I currently have a studio where I paint and work on commissions as well as teaching at SCAD. I have had the opportunity to exhibit my work all over the country and have received many awards, attended artists residencies and have my art in private and public collections. These opportunity have enable me to continue to grow as an artists.

www.megaubrey@gmail.com

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hiking at Kennesaw Mountain and in North Georgia.

Walking the belt line from Ponce City market.

Visit Piedmont Park

Visit the High Museum of Art.

See a show at the Fox Theater

Visit some of the great breweries in town: Monday Night, Fire Maker, Steady Hand.

Visit the west side: The Works

Visit Virginia Highland shops and restaurants

Eat at: Taqueria del Sol, Taco Mac, Canoe

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Mark Aubrey, my ever supportive husband.

Website: www.megaubrey.com

Instagram: Atlantapetportraits