IN THE STUDIO | MEAGAN ALWOOD-KARCIC

We have a huge crush on Meagan Alwood-Karcic.  She's instantly of whom we thought of when we wanted our logo designed (thank you!  we love it!).  We each personally own several of her paintings. And, have you seen her perform on stage?  Its mesmerizing to say the least.

The main reason for starting this "In The Studio..." blog series was to get inside the head of the creative process of each of these artists.  And it's amazing how much we draw from different parts of our lives, from others, from nature, and it's just as interesting to know what we tune out in order to create.  Below are some of the photos from our home studio visit in January mixed in with some of her paintings, all accompanied by Meagan's responses to some of our questions.  We hope you enjoy!

Meagan's work can be found for purchase at Society6 and is happy to take commissions.  Check out the Alwood Sisters band information and past album releases here.

 

Leo. Part of the Zodiac signs series.

Leo. Part of the Zodiac signs series.

1. When did you start making art?  Did you always do painting / drawing? Or are there any other forms of art that you dabble in?

I think all kids draw, but I started kind of creating characters in 2nd or 3rd grade. I kept a notebook hidden in my room with the characters. I would design clothes for them, and draw different scenarios for them. My mom made a pattern for one of the coats I designed, and actually made it into something I could wear! I started painting in high school, and did a little bit of clay sculpture, but drawing is what I really love. I always want to dabble in other forms of art. I can't get enough, and fall in love easily with different creative outlets. Although I am self taught (and not that great at it), I love composing music. I absolutely LOVE to sing, and find a great deal of satisfaction in collaging. In my work, for consistency's sake, I try to do more drawing and painting than anything else, though.

2. What are your ambitions for your work for the upcoming year?

I am always looking for ways to improve or expand. I don't think of things in terms of years, rather in terms of movements or moments. At times I am sedentary, and consider these times to be resting periods. That being said, I am trying to build a foundation that strongly supports a new movement or moment in my artistic life. More specifically, I am hoping to open new doors of opportunity for design and commission work. I have a strong desire to be a functioning and inspiring member of society, one who gives a positive contribution to their environment. In terms of that, I am learning what works and what doesn't. It's a hell of a bumpy ride!

Family portrait commission series.

Family portrait commission series.

3. Who / what is your current inspiration? Who / what has made you stop in your tracks lately and made you rethink things? (don’t hold back this doesn’t have to be about your art, it can be anything at all).

Can I say Life? Haha. Really though, life itself is a pretty damn good inspiration. It is endlessly complex and rich. It is pure, undefinable energy. Sometimes you meet people who can be described that way, but they are only a microscopic fracture of what Life actually is. Nature will always stop me in my tracks, and rethink things as well. I walk in the woods daily, regardless of weather. I can't describe in words the genuine awe and surprise I encounter. And the fact that sometimes I am terrified fascinates me. Nature is really really pretty, but sometimes, it wants to kill you.

megan alwood-karcic-1.jpg

4. What’s currently on your record player? 

I have to admit, I choose to spend a lot of time in silence. I'm not sure why, other than it takes a lot for me to be able to concentrate. I suppose, in a way, listening to music is something I want to give all my attention to. So, regularly listening to music, does not happen for me. I am learning about different types of music and art movements right now in school, and having to write about them. This is forcing me to not only seek out new music, but to listen more regularly. The last thing I listened to was 'Gymnopedie No. 1' composed by Erik Satie. Its a really beautiful, dissonant, sad piece of piano music. Interestingly enough, I think his compositions are considered to be background music.

Vintage Dolly Parton.

Vintage Dolly Parton.

5. Favorite daily routine  and/or  what would make up for a perfect day?

I really love coffee, so I love waking up just so I can drink coffee. I also really love walking. Especially anywhere that my dog can be off leash and freak out. I love watching that little doggie's tail wag. I love hug breaks, too. Sometimes, mid day, my husband and dog and I will all squish together for ten minutes for a nice love break. 

And as much as I embrace every season, a perfect day would definitely include balmy, dry weather. Windows open, my loved ones nearby, and all of us doing what we love. 

6. Any future aspirations and/or collaborations with others?

I am currently collaborating with another artist named Paul Giovis. We are passing art back and forth. We are trying to keep the images within an architectural realm, and eventually hoping to have enough pieces to make a show out of. 

As far as the future goes, I want to finish school, get more work, meet new people, and continue to grow/learn. I am hoping to do future collaborations with companies that work directly with artists. I really like the idea of interior spaces, and want to start working more with incorporating my work into interior spaces. In the past, I have experimented with printing my work onto plates, fabrics, tote bags, etc. I really like this idea, and would like to start to design textile and surface specific patterns and such.

A collaboration piece Meagan did with her sister, Amy.

A collaboration piece Meagan did with her sister, Amy.

from here to eternity 1.jpeg

7. Anything we haven’t covered yet you’d like to mention?

I am really grateful for the life that I get to live. I feel like thanking everyone around me everyday. I would like to encourage everyone to find out what it is that they love to do, and to try, against all odds, to do what they love as much as possible.

IN THE STUDIO | UNDER AURORA

Last month we met up with Tina DeBroux from Under Aurora, as a way to kick off our "In the Studio of..." series.  She works out of her lovely home, which gets great light and has some great cool hues.  Below is a Q&A along with some of our favorite shots from our session. And if you haven't tried her line of products yet, please do so, I'm addicted to her jojoba infused facial oil.  Enjoy!

 

1. How did you get started with Under Aurora?

I had been involved in aromatherapy & natural body care for over fifteen years but had never taken that step to start my own line. About a year ago I developed four essential oil blends which became the artist, the poet, the rebel, and the dreamer botanical body spritzes. Each were named for different characteristic that I feel all creative people, particularly creative women, seem to embody. I began selling the botanical body spritzes, as well as the coconut oil spray, on Etsy. Last summer I was approached by a major retailer that was interested in carrying the line. Ultimately, I decided that they wouldn't be a good fit for Under Aurora, but that is definitely what started the ball rolling.

2. What are your ambitions for Under Aurora for the upcoming year?

My number one ambition is to continue to get the line into beautiful and unique stores across the country. I would also love to increase the number of direct sales through the website.

 

3. Who / what is your current inspiration? Who / what has made you stop in your tracks lately and made you rethink things? (don’t hold back this doesn’t have to be about your business only).

I'm currently re-reading a book that I bought a couple years back called “The Natural Kitchen – Your Guide to the Sustainable Food Revolution” by Deborah Eden Tull. Tull is a former Buddhist monk and she writes beautifully about concious consumption, nutrition, and mindfullness in the kitchen. She tries to live with zero waste and has been quite an inspiration for me. I try to be aware of my waste and to utilize everything to its fullest.

 

 

4. What record are you currently listening to?

“Carne Levare” by The American Jobs hasn't left my turntable for months. It's so stark and haunting, a perfect winter record. It was actually put out by Savage Quality Recordings which is the record label that I run with my husband.

 

5. Favorite daily routine and/or what would make up for a perfect day?

I love the stillness of the morning and the ritual of preparing myself for the day. I start every morning with a pot of tea. Lately, while I wait for the tea water to boil, I've been giving myself a “honey pat”. I spread a thin layer of raw local honey across my face and then use my fingers to tap my face, as if typing on a keyboard. Then just rinse it off with cold water. It's so invigorating and make my skin glow.

 


6. Any aspirations to add to your line of products? Any collaborations with others?

I've been thinking a lot about solid perfumes so I think that will be next down the pipeline. I had an idea of working with different artists/illustrators to do special labels for limited runs. But that's still in the “just an idea” phase. I'm always open to the idea of collaborations!

 

You can find her products at any of these stockists, listed here and at pop-up shops and fleas around the Midwest.

4TH & 4TH SNEAK PEEK

It's been busy over here at Illume HQ as we continue work on our 4th & 4th Fest photo booth backdrop. Come out to Seventh Son this Saturday and see some amazing bands brought to you by Revelator and get your picture taken in our lovely photo booth, which will be gearing up around 5pm! You can find more details here. We hope to see your smiling faces there!

REVELATOR

Revelator is the brain child of Bobby Miller III and Adriana Mundy.  The fact that these two have joined forces on the music and festival front means there are some amazing things are about to go down for this city.  And we cannot be more excited to be collaborating with them on these events.

This weekend was Revelator's launch party at the Little Rock Bar, in Italian Village. We worked on this custom backdrop for the Aperture Photo Booth, and we are thrilled to be part of their next event - 4th & 4th fest, on July 5, at Seventh Son.  See you there!

PS. Silly and fun photos from the booth can be seen here.

revelator launch party

MILK BAR

Mad thanks to Milk Bar Boutique for getting the ball rolling. We had a blast putting together this sweet installation for his window front. We love sharing our thirst for creative things and giving back to small businesses. 

Go to his store!  Check out the installation, and buy some sweet boutique gems!

milk bar boutique /  765 n high street, columbus, oh 43215

illume collective

TRILLIUM PIES

On a warm and sunny spring day, a few ladies got together with Kelley from Trillium Pies, and set forth to do a quick product launch shoot for this up-and-coming business.  Little did we know that we would embark on a path we least expected - a collective of creative, young professionals, aimed at highlighting what is amazing about this place we call home.  There's so much to be proud of here, and so much fun to be had making things together, why not pour our creative energy into a larger, nonstop, ever changing project?

We don't have a motto.  Nor do we believe in following the rules (I mean, c'mon, artists typically do better when there are no constraints).  But if we did have a motto, it might go something like this:  

We are a collective of creatives, committed to giving back to our community through beautifully crafted and meaningful collaborations. We aim to highlight small businesses through stylized shoots and backdrops.  We thrive to set the mood and offer visual atmospheres for community events.  We hope to gain strength from others, and work with artists in our community.  We aim to have fun, offer art and creativity as a mode of communication, and above all, make Columbus the best damn city in the Midwest.

Let's make it happen!