An Inspired Chat with Megan Frances of Beachwood Canyon

Megan Frances shared her story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Megan, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
One of the great highs of being an artist is the heady sensation of timelessness that happens when I’m immersed in the creative process. Sometimes, when I’m focused on painting, and entirely absorbed in the act, I get that sensation. It’s a magical feeling, like being suspended in the borderless territory of the imagination, where it’s just me and the painting, even when I’m confronting problems while doing the work. The circumstances have to be right for this untethered timelessness to occur. The ideal scenario is to have a seemingly unlimited block of uninterrupted time to get lost in the zone. That’s when progress really happens. It’s a true joy that puts me authentically in touch with my creative core.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Los Angeles based artist currently focused on creating allusive paintings that intertwine abstract forms with botanical motifs adapted from nature. Born in Canada, while growing up I also lived in the Bahamas, where I was captivated by the island setting, flora and culture. That experience, and the influences I was exposed to there, continue to inspire my vision as an artist. In my work, I symbolically reference the conflict between the fragility and beauty of the natural world and the manmade forces that threaten it.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I can’t identify a single moment that shaped how I see the world, but moving to the Bahamas was an experience that shaped my perspective in many ways. Living there, and attending school there after a sheltered childhood in Canada, led to a formative shift in my understanding of the world. Suddenly immersed in a dramatically different environment and culture, my North American-centric perspective dropped away. I plunged in with enthusiasm and curiosity. I was exposed to Bahamian art, writing by Caribbean authors, as well as dance and music. It was a profound eye-opening learning experience for me, expanding my outlook on life and art, and transforming me into a more informed, worldly, human being – and ultimately, artist. While living in the Bahamas, I was also introduced to the underwater world. My stepfather owned a dive business there, and my brothers and I all became proficient scuba divers. Having an insight into the incredible marine environment was revelatory. It’s had an enormous impact on my world view in an entirely different way.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
From a very young age, I learned that creativity can be a marvelous source of gratification and comfort or solace. When I felt unhappy as a child, I knew I could retreat to a place by myself and make something. Drawing and writing were two of my early passions. I often expressed my inner thoughts through writing, sometimes turning sad feelings into lighthearted whimsical poems. I was lucky my mother was a writer. She nurtured and supported my love of poetry. Knowing I can rely on my creative resources is almost like having a kind of superpower. It’s rewarding to be able to channel this creativity and come out on the other side of challenging times having manifested something new.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
From my point-of-view as an artist, both fads and foundational shifts may have merit, may reflect a cultural movement or moment, but a fad may fade away after being in the spotlight for a little while. Foundational shifts continue to prevail in the zeitgeist and go on to have lasting impact, influencing trends. I think fads and foundational shifts can be inspiring for artists, leading to experimentation, which is a lot of fun and can result in exciting discoveries.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’ve always had a sense of clarity about being an artist. Even as a kid, I recognized the feeling of exhilaration and fulfillment from creating something I had conceived, This realization came naturally to me. There are periods in my life when other responsibilities have taken the focus away from my art and other creative pursuits, but the need and desire to make art always stayed in the background and I couldn’t wait to jump back in!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://meganfrances.com
• Instagram: @MeganFrancesArt

Image Credits
Elana Kundell
Rick Friesen